AC JD Nov 2020 RA in mesoscale air-sea interactions-

Job Description
Job Title:
Department/Division/Faculty:
Campus location:
Job Family/Level:
Responsible to:
Line Management responsibility
for:
Key Working Relationships
(internal):
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(external):
Contract type:

Research Associate in mesoscale air-sea interactions
Physics, Space and Atmospheric Physics, Faculty of Natural
Sciences
South Kensington
Research family, Research Associate
Dr Arnaud Czaja
Completion of work on schedule
Dr Czaja’s team and other members of the Atmospheric Physics
group at Imperial College
Profs R. Parfit and W. Dewar’s groups at Florida State University
(USA)
Fixed term for 22 months starting early January 2021

Purpose of the Post

This post-doctoral position is part of an exciting joint proposal between Florida State University and
Imperial College to study the local interaction of the Gulf Stream with the atmosphere in the

deterministic regime of weather predictions (timescales less than about two weeks). To do so a
realistic regional coupled model will be used, and two-way coupling as well as one-way forcing
experiments will be designed, run and analysed. The position is funded for 22 months of salary,
ideally starting early January 2021.
The successful candidate is expected to have a PhD in physical oceanography, meteorology or airsea interactions and, ideally, prior experience with the modelling platforms ROMS and/or WRF. This
position will also require enthusiasm for collaborative work in an international team of researchers
in the UK (Dr Czaja’s group) and in the USA (Profs R. Parfitt and W. Dewar’s groups).
The post is funded by the National Environment Research Council (NERC).
Key Responsibilities
The main duties of the post:
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To conduct the coupled numerical simulations, as well as their analysis
To write papers and present work at conferences both nationally and internationally
To work collaboratively with Profs Parfitt and Dewar’s team at Florida State University
Proficiency in numerical modelling with ROMS and/or WRF

Other Duties:
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To present findings to colleagues and at conferences

To draft publications and prepare them for submission to refereed journals
To submit publications to refereed journals
To provide guidance to staff and students
To undertake instruction of PhD students as agreed
To take responsibility for organising resources and effective decision making in support of research
To attend (virtually or in person when this is safe to do so) relevant workshops and conferences in UK
and abroad as necessary


Job Description
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To undertake appropriate administration tasks
To undertake limited teaching duties as offered by the Department of Physics, comprising up to half a
day per week during the academic year
To attend relevant meetings
To comply with relevant College policies, including Financial Regulations, Equal Opportunities Policy,
Promoting Race Equality Policy, Health and Safety Policy, Information Systems Security Policy and
Intellectual Property Rights and Register of Interests Policies
To undertake any necessary training and/or development
To maintain safe workplace practice and procedures in accordance with the requirements of Health and
Safety legislation
To maintain an up to date knowledge of relevant statutory Health and Safety legislation and

recommendations and attend safety training as required.
Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post as directed by line manager / supervisor

Please note that job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, and the post-holder may be required to
undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.
Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant
within the salary range £36,045 - £39,183 per annum


Job Description
Person Specification
Requirements
Candidates/post holders will be expected to demonstrate the following

Essential (E)/
Desirable (D)

Education
Research Associate: Hold a PhD (or equivalent) in physical oceanography, dynamical or
mesoscale meteorology, air-sea interaction, or a closely related field

E

Research Assistant: Near completion of a PhD (or equivalent) physical oceanography,
dynamical or mesoscale meteorology, air-sea interaction, or a closely related field
Experience
Practical experience in a broad range of computing techniques including numerical
modelling, coding and use of high performance computers
Proficiency with data analysis
To conduct the coupled numerical simulations, as well as their analysis

To write papers and present work at conferences both nationally and internationally
Knowledge
Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
Statistics
Data analysis
Air-sea interactions
Skills & Abilities
Proficiency with either ROMS or WRF modelling platforms
Proficiency with HPC facilities
Ability to organise own work with minimal supervision
Willingness to work as part of a team and to be open-minded and cooperative
Strong verbal and written communication skills in English and the ability to work effectively
within a research team
Drafting of publications and prepare them for submission to refered journals
Willingness to contribute to writing bids for research grants
To undertake instruction of PhD students as agreed
Willingness to attend (virtually or in person when this is safe to do so) relevant workshops
and conferences in UK and abroad as necessary
To undertake appropriate administration tasks
To undertake limited teaching duties as offered by the Department of Physics, comprising
up to half a day per week during the academic year

E
E
E
E
E
D
D
D

D

E
D
E
E
E
D
D
D
D
D
D

Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating discrimination. All employees are
expected to follow the 7 Imperial Expectations detailed below:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)

Champion a positive approach to change and opportunity
Encourage inclusive participation and eliminate discrimination
Communicate regularly and effectively within and across teams
Consider the thoughts and expectations of others
Deliver positive outcomes
Develop and grow skills and expertise

Job Description
7)

Work in a planned and managed way

Employees are also required to comply with all College policies and regulations paying special attention to:
• Confidentiality
• Financial Regulations
• Private Engagements
• Conflict of Interest
• Health and Safety
and Register of Interests
• Data Protection
• Information Technology
• Equal Opportunities
• Smoking
They must also undertake specific training and assume responsibility for safety relevant to specific roles, as
set out on the College Website Health and Safety Structure and Responsibilities page.
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(DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions, we evaluate applicants on the
quality of their work, not the journal impact factor where it is published. For more information,
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December 2020