Research Associate in Climate-Water Balance Modelling

Research Associate in Climate-Water Balance Modelling

Job number ACAD104275
Division/School - School of Geographical Sciences
Contract type - Open Ended
Working pattern - Full time
Salary GBP33,797 - GBP38,017 per annum
Closing date for applications 11-Nov-2019

We invite applications for a 2-year Research Associate position on Climate-Water Balance Modelling. The main role will be to work on modelling the impacts of climate and climate change on the water balance in East African drylands. The Research Associate will be working within the DRIER (Drought Resilience In East African dryland Regions) project, funded by the Royal Society. The aim of the project is to create a new, widely accessible tool for monitoring regional, societally relevant water storage in drylands, and to use this tool for communicating and enhancing social adaptation to short-term climate shocks and long-term changes to regional hydrology in drylands of East Africa (Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia). The successful candidate will be expected to work with an interdisciplinary team of scientists and social scientists in the UK (Bristol, Cardiff and UEA), Kenya (University of Nairobi), Somalia and Ethiopia (University of Addis Ababa), and collaborate with the Research Associate and team on a related project funded by the UKRI GCRF (Mobile App Development for Drought Adaptation in Drylands - MAD DAD). This post presents an exciting opportunity to work on a global challenge with an energetic interdisciplinary team and potential for impact. The post includes travel to Kenya for meetings. The Research Associate will be based in the School of Geographical Sciences and can be a member of the Dryland Research Group, the Hydrology Group, and BRIDGE.

The successful candidate will hold a PhD (or be near completion) in climate or hydrology, have experience with numerical modelling (preferably in hydrology), climate data analysis, good grasp of Matlab or Python and competency in handling large datasets. The primary tasks associated with this position will be to: a) assemble and analyse climate data for East Africa; b) produce rainfall scenarios using a stochastic model, c) set up and run the team's regional water balance model for East Africa; d) analyse model outputs for key changes in future water stores; e) lead the writing of journal articles based on the findings. The successful candidate is also expected to collaborate with another Bristol-based Research Associate on a linked project, to communicate and interact with team members in the UK, Kenya and Ethiopia, to take part in team meetings, and to travel to Kenya and/or Ethiopia for project meetings. The start date is negotiable but preferably November 2019.

For further information please contact Dr Katerina Michaelides. ( )

We welcome applications from all members of our community and are particularly encouraging those from diverse groups, such as members of the LGBT+ and BAME communities, to join us.