Missions

One position is offered as part of the EERIE (Eddy rich Earth System Models) project. This European project aims to understand and simulate the role of ocean eddies in the present and future climate. Four coupled ocean-ice-atmosphere models are developed in the project (United Kingdom, Germany and Spain) with a fine grid in the ocean (4 to 10km). At the Laboratory of Physical and Space Oceanography (LOPS), the postdoctoral fellows will use the numerical simulations to understand and quantify the role of eddies in processes that are key for future climate projections. This involves, on the one hand, the evolution of oceanic stratification and the thermal and haline content, and on the other hand, to understand and quantify the role of oceanic eddies in the internal variability of the climate on interannual to decadal time scales, and thus better quantify the uncertainties for decadal prediction and climate projections.

Activities

The researcher will have access to simulations through the computing centers in the United Kingdom and Germany (jasmin and dkrz) and use standard analysis tools (EsmValTool, python notebooks) as well as new tools developed within the framework of EERIE. The post-doctoral fellow will study the interactions between mesoscale turbulence and variability at the scale of ocean basins, as well as the impact of this turbulence on interannual climate predictability. Variance budgets will be used to quantify these interactions and their role in internal climate variability. A particular attention will be given to the role of mesoscale turbulence on the slow dynamics of ocean surface layer. key for the climate dynamics.

Skills

The candidate will hold a PhD in physical oceanography, climate sciences, or atmospheric dynamics, good knowledge of air-sea fluxes and ocean mesoscale eddies, and experience with analyzing large datasets from observations and/or numerical models. Programming skills and fluency with analysis software such as python or equivalent are required. The international collaboration context requires excellent written and spoken English, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Work Context

The selected researcher will join the “Ocean and Climate” team at LOPS in Brest (www.umr-lops.fr). LOPS is a joint laboratory between CNRS, Ifremer, the University of Brest and the Institute of Research for Development. The Ocean and Climate team is leader in high resolution modelling as well as international ocean observation programs. The postdoctoral position is offered in the context of the European project EERIE (www.eerie-project.eu). Within this project, the post-doctoral researcher will provide a stimulating international environment and opportunities for short stays at the partner laboratories.

Constraints and risks

None