(English) Scientist aerosol-cloud interactions

Functieomschrijving

If you are interested in a job where you will study aerosols and their interactions with clouds using models and observations, then this vacancy is a great opportunity.

What will you be doing?
In this position you will have the opportunity to enhance your skills in both model development, data analysis and the synergy of the two topics through data assimilation and model parameterization evaluation, fostering diversity in your work.

You will contribute to the development of EC-Earth4, with a focus on the description of aerosols and aerosol-cloud interactions. You will perform simulations to evaluate how novel descriptions and parameterizations introduced within the project change the aerosol effective radiative forcing on global and regional scales. You will help preparing the model for CMIP7 and make contributions to relevant Model Intercomparison Projects (MIPs) aimed at quantifying aerosol forcings and associated climate responses.

In addition, you will be actively involved in the validation of EarthCARE Level-1 and Level-2 products and the parameterizations of aerosol-cloud interactions to be developed within the project. You will act as the EarthCARE product ambassador for the CERTAINTY teams and assist in data assimilation efforts of EarthCARE products into the ECMWF Integrated Forecasting System (IFS).

This gives you energy
Thinking out of the box to generate new solutions gives you energy. You regularly exchange knowledge, information and ideas with others and actively seek feedback on your own ideas. Furthermore, you also have a results-oriented attitude and the skills to manage your work in a timely manner and make progress in the project.

When you need more information we invite you to have a digital cup of coffee with:
Twan van Noije, project leader of CERTAINTY, at +316-42252589 or Gerd-Jan van Zadelhoff, project leader of the EarthCARE L2 science team, at +316-55457524.

Functie-eisen

• a PhD degree in atmospheric science (or similar)
• experience in climate and/or aerosol modelling and/or satellite observations
• demonstrated experience with Fortran, Python and Linux
• you are fluent in English (oral and written). Knowledge of the Dutch language would be an advantage but is not essential

Je herkent je in de volgende eigenschappen

In addition to the requirements, you recognize yourself in the following characteristics: you take into account a broad range of relevant scientific and social developments in the design of your work. You involve stakeholders in the formulation of your research questions and seek the right balance between societal needs and scientific quality standards. You are steadfast and adhere to scientific integrity.

Arbeidsvoorwaarden

Salarisniveau schaal 11 Maandsalaris Min €3.662 - Max. €5.586 (bruto) Dienstverband Arbeidsovereenkomst voor bepaalde tijd Contractduur 3 years Minimaal aantal uren per week 36 Maximaal aantal uren per week 36

Overige arbeidsvoorwaarden

Plenty of growth and development opportunities
The central government attaches great importance to personal growth and career development and offers numerous opportunities for this. These include attending training courses and obtaining certifications. We also offer career coaching if you need it.

Interesting extras
In addition to your salary, you receive an individual choice budget (IKB) consisting of vacation pay of 8% and an annual end-of-year bonus. This IKB consists of money (16.37% of your gross annual salary) and/or time. With the IKB you make the choices that suit you and you can compose part of your terms of employment yourself. For example, you can have part of your monthly income paid out whenever you wish, convert the IKB into leave or spend it on tax-friendly objectives. Our other fringe benefits include company fitness and full reimbursement of your commuting expenses.

Bijzonderheden

• apply immediately, we look forward to it!
• once we have found the right candidate, we close the vacancy
• the interviews will take place on Wednesday afternoon, March 6
• start date: 1st of June 2024 with a duration of 3 years
• obtaining references can be part of the application process. An (online) pre-selection test, an assessment, making a case and (online) screening via databases, among others, can be part of the application process

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.

Meer over jouw toekomstige afdeling

The work takes place in two departments. The EC-Earth team is part of the R&D Weather and Climate Models department of KNMI. The department investigates and develops research tools for weather and air quality prediction applications and climate research. The EC-Earth team consists of global climate researchers and scientific programmers, who can provide support on technical issues. Within the international EC-Earth consortium, the team chairs the Atmospheric Composition Working Group and the Technical Working Group.
The EarthCARE team is in the R&D Satellite Observations department. The department studies the composition and dynamics of the global atmosphere using satellite observations of trace gases, aerosols, clouds, and winds. The EarthCARE team consists of satellite retrieval specialists and leads the overall Level-2 ESA science team.

The project
KNMI takes part in the Horizon Europe project CERTAINTY: Cloud-aerosol interactions and their impacts in the Earth system. In this project KNMI collaborates with a large number of European research institutes. Clouds, aerosols and their interactions are key regulators of climate. However, uncertainties in the magnitude of the net cooling impact of aerosols on climate and in the cloud response to evolving anthropogenic emissions and climate change induced feedbacks on natural emissions are major challenges that limit our understanding of how global and regional climate, including extremes, respond to changes in greenhouse gases. It is of paramount importance to better understand aerosol-cloud processes and their role in the Earth system, from regional to global scales, and over different time scales, from days to decades.

Model and observations
KNMI develops and applies the global climate model EC-Earth in a consortium consisting of national weather services and research institutes in Europe. EC-Earth is applied for global climate assessments (IPCC, CMIP) and provides input for the Netherlands climate scenarios. The new generation of the model, EC-Earth4, is currently in development and will be used in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 7 (CMIP7). The atmospheric general circulation model of EC-Earth4 is based on the OpenIFS model from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). We recently introduced a modal aerosol scheme into OpenIFS that can be coupled with simplified or more elaborate atmospheric chemistry mechanisms developed for the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS).
KNMI is also involved in supporting the upcoming joint European/Japanese Earth Clouds Aerosol and Radiation (EarthCARE) satellite mission, which is scheduled to be launched on May 1st 2024. EarthCARE will be the first mission to combine multiple active remote sensing instruments on a single platform specifically for cloud, aerosol and radiation studies. KNMI leads the ESA Level-2 science team and is responsible for two of the Level-2 operational processors.
You will join the enthusiastic EC-Earth and EarthCARE teams of KNMI. You will be able to work closely together within the EC-Earth consortium, the EarthCARE science community as well as with partner institutes from the CERTAINTY project.

Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute (KNMI)

The weather is temperamental, the ground moves and the climate changes. For our safety and prosperity, we need to know what risks and opportunities this brings. And: how we can best prepare ourselves. The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) is the national knowledge and data center for weather, climate and seismology. Reliable, independent and focused on what the Netherlands needs. For a safe Netherlands that is prepared for the impact of weather, climate and earthquakes.
We use our core values - Development, Cooperation and Relevance - to achieve our ambition, both within and outside KNMI, nationally and internationally. We develop our knowledge and expertise and work together to create a single KNMI that makes a difference to society!
Talent as the basis, diversity as the strength
The KNMI is an inclusive organization. An organization that provides space for everyone and uses the strength of its diverse workforce to achieve better results together for the Netherlands. Inclusive means that everyone feels involved and valued; not in spite of their differences, but thanks to them.

Organizationally, KNMI falls under the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW) is committed to a safe, accessible and livable Netherlands. That is why the Ministry is working on powerful connections by road, rail, water and air. And IenW protects against flooding, ensures the quality of air, water and soil and the realization of a circular economy.

Contact

Voor meer informatie over deze vacature:

Werenfried Spit, Manager

06-10170719

Voor meer informatie over de sollicitatieprocedure:

Yasmin Vittali, recruiter

06-57552744