Meteorological Institution at Stockholm University (MISU)

The Meteorological Institution at Stockholm University (MISU) conducts research and teaching that spans the atmosphere, ocean, and physically based climate science.

We offer educational programs at the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels. Our research seeks answers to fundamental questions about the dynamic, physical, chemical, and biogeochemical properties of the atmosphere and oceans that are relevant to weather and climate. The research activities are broad and include processes that range from the deep ocean to the upper atmosphere, and from the tropics to the poles. We utilize and develop theory, statistical methods, and numerical models in close interplay with observations. In addition, the institution develops and leads observational-based research supported by satellites, Arctic icebreaker expeditions, and land-based instruments.

MISU is part of a larger research environment at the university, encompassing the Bolin Center for Climate Research, the Baltic Sea Center, and the Swedish e-Science Research Centre. The institution is an international workplace, and over half of the staff have a background outside Sweden. More information about us can be found at https://www.su.se/meteorologiska-institutionen/ (https://www.su.se/meteorologiska-institutionen/).

Project Description

The Earth's climate is changing rapidly as the balance between incoming solar radiation and reflected and emitted infrared radiation is disrupted by human-caused emissions of greenhouse gases. This leads to energy accumulating in the climate system with rising temperatures, rising sea levels, and more extreme weather on Earth. Previous and ongoing satellite projects can be used to observe how the imbalance changes over time, but not to measure its absolute magnitude. The satellite project The Earth Climate Observatory (ECO) may be the solution to this, by measuring the Earth's energy imbalance with high precision via satellite from space. ECO is led by a group of prominent researchers from Sweden, Belgium, and France, and we are now seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join the ECO team. ECO is funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) as an ESA Earth Explorer Phase 0 candidate mission. This position is funded by the Swedish National Space Agency through the ECO-e2e project.

Job Responsibilities

The position involves research to both observe and understand the Earth's energy balance and the rapid changes in the radiation budget. Specifically, the postdoctoral researcher will contribute to the Swedish-led development of the ECO project's simulator, which will be used to evaluate the performance and software of the satellite constellation before launch, primarily in terms of developing its ability to map the measurements. Furthermore, the postdoctoral researcher is encouraged to conduct research aimed at understanding changes in the radiation budget, which may involve studies of radiative forcing, internal variability, and feedback mechanisms, or the development of methods that can integrate existing and future data on the Earth's energy balance and radiation budget.

Eligibility Requirements

A postdoctoral researcher is defined as an employee who is primarily employed for research and who has obtained a doctoral degree or has a foreign degree that is deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree.

Assessment Criteria

The doctoral degree should be in meteorology, atmospheric science, oceanography, or a related field. The degree must be obtained no later than when the employment decision is made, but no more than three years before the application deadline. If there are special reasons, the doctoral degree may have been obtained earlier. Special reasons include leave due to illness, parental leave, trust assignments within trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or relevant service/assignments for the subject area.

In the appointment process, particular emphasis will be placed on scientific competence in the field of employment. The applicant is also expected to have excellent oral and written skills in English.

About the Position

The position is full-time and is permanent, but for at least two years and at most three years, with the possibility of extension if there are special reasons. Start date according to agreement.

Contact

For inquiries about the position, please contact university lecturer Thorsten Mauritsen, phone 072-940 8122, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).

For information about the recruitment process, contact administrative manager Sara Engström, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).

Application

You apply for the position via Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the requested documents in the application form. As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that the application is complete and that it reaches the university no later than the application deadline.

Instructions for applicants can be found on the website: https://www.su.se/om-universitetet/jobba-på-su/att-söka-en-anställning (https://www.su.se/om-universitetet/jobba-p%C3%A5-su/att-s%C3%B6ka-en-anst%C3%A4llning).

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