Job Description

Salary

The starting salary will be 34,132 on Grade E, or 42,882 on Grade F depending on qualifications and experience.

Contractual hours

36.5

Package

Generous holiday allowances, flexible working, pension scheme and relocation package (if applicable).

Job category/type

Research

Date posted

07/05/2025

Job reference

R91337

The Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy.

The post

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow to participate in the NERC funded Clim-Citi project (Climate Change Impact on Midlatitude Cyclone Intensity, Tracks, and Impacts), which examines the processes associated with climate model representation of extratropical cyclones and how they will change in the future.



Extratropical cyclones in the North Atlantic storm track region cause billions of Euros of damage each year due to their strong winds and extreme rainfall. According to the sixth IPCC assessment report (AR6) there is still low confidence in projected changes in the North Atlantic storm track. This uncertainty is partly due to the representation of storm tracks in climate models, and limits the ability of governments and industry to make decisions regarding climate adaptation. In order to make progress, we need to change our approach and evaluate not only the average storm track locations and ETC intensity distributions, but also the key structural features and intensification mechanisms of the individual ETCs that constitute the storm tracks. The goal of this project is evaluate storm track locations, storm intensities, structural features and intensification mechanisms, to determine the reliable aspects of the models, the relevance of model resolution, and what needs to be improved through model development, to ultimately provide better projections of the storm tracks in future climates.



The successful applicant with work under the immediate supervision of Prof Jennifer Catto and Prof David Stephenson, as part of a larger project with partners at the University of Reading, the Met Office, and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.



This NERC funded post is available immediately for up to 2 years, although the start date is negotiable. The successful applicant will:
Quantify and evaluate the processes controlling the development, lifecycles, and characteristics of ETCs in observations and climate models and how these processes may change in a future warmer world. Apply process-based model evaluation techniques to datasets of large numbers of ETCs. Provide relevant information to end-users (e.g., reinsurance companies, the Environment Agency) regarding future changes in ETCs and their impacts. Highlight processes within climate models that need to be further developed by modelling groups such as the UK Met Office.

About you

The successful applicant will be able to develop research objectives, conduct original research, write publications, and give presentations at conferences and other events.



Applicants will possess (or be close to completing) a relevant PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study (e.g. Physics, Mathematics/Statistics, Meteorology/Climate Science. The successful applicant will have recognised expertise in meteorology or climate/environmental science. They will possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop research programmes and methodologies. The successful applicant will also be able to work collaboratively, supervise the work of others and act as team leader as required. Applicants will have knowledge of the dynamics of midlatitude weather systems, and be able to analyse large data sets.

Please ensure you read the and Person Specification for full details of this role.

What we can offer you

Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research; Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon.

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.



Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world's most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today. More than 99 percent of our research is of international quality and 47 percent is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).



We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research - Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.



Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community.



With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.



For further information please contact Prof Jennifer Catto by e-mail j.catto@exeter.ac.uk.



Interviews are to take place soon after the closing date.