PhD student in Atmospheric Sciences and Oceanography, focus on ML-methods in climate modelling

The Department of Meteorology
at Stockholm University (MISU) conducts research and education spanning the atmosphere, ocean and physical climate sciences. MISU offers educational programmes at the Bachelor's, Master's and PhD levels. Our research addresses fundamental questions concerning the dynamics, physics, chemistry and biogeochemistry of the atmosphere and ocean relevant to weather and climate. MISU strives toward a broad representation of research within our scientific domain.
We study questions originating from the deep ocean to the upper atmosphere and from the tropics to the poles. In this effort, we use and develop theory, statistical methods, and numerical models in close interplay with observations. We also develop and lead observational research using remote-sensing and in-situ measurements, including satellite missions and icebreaker expeditions to the Arctic.
The department has around 60 employees and is embedded in a larger research environment, including the
Bolin Centre for Climate Research
, the
Baltic Sea Centre
and the
Swedish e-Science Research Centre
. The department is highly international, with over half of our employees coming from outside Sweden and both Swedish and English are used as working languages. We welcome and value diversity in our working environment.
You can read more about us here: the
Department of Meteorology
.
Project description
Clouds and their responses to varying environmental conditions are particularly important determinants of current climate and future climate change. However, the resolution of a typical climate model is far too coarse to explicitly represent processes of relevance to cloud formation. Those processes therefore need to be parameterized, or represented as functions of large-scale state variables. Such sub-grid scale parameterizations are associated with large uncertainties, and are also computationally expensive.
This project focuses on novel ways to bridge between micro- and global scales, to improve climate model accuracy, efficiency and generalizability, and leverage modern computer architecture. We will explore the use of machine learning (ML) models trained on combinations of observational data and high-resolution simulations, as alternatives to empirical parameterizations of essential, unresolved sub-grid scale processes related to turbulence, cloud formation and aerosol-cloud interaction. The tasks will include deriving and training data-driven models, coupling them to a large-scale climate model, evaluating the results against observations and traditionally parameterized models, and using the ML-enhanced model to estimate climate-relevant quantities like cloud radiative effects and forcing from aerosol-cloud interactions.
The work will be carried out in close collaboration with data scientists within the Swedish e-Science Research Centre, and contribute to development of methods with applicability also beyond climate science. The successful candidate will thereby develop their skills in atmospheric science and climate modelling, but also in data science and machine learning, and in communicating and collaborating within and across disciplines.
Qualification requirements
In order to be admitted to postgraduate education, the applicant must have the general and specific entry requirements. The qualification requirements must be fulfilled before admission to the programme.
You meet
general entry requirements
if you have completed a second-cycle degree, or completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.
The
specific entry requirements
additionally require a minimum of 90 higher education credits in any of the fields of meteorology, oceanography, physics or chemistry; and at least 15 higher education credits in mathematics as well as a degree project of at least 15 higher education credits. At least 60 higher education credits of these courses must be on the second-cycle level. In addition, proficiency in English language, equivalent to English B in Swedish high school, is required.
The specific entry requirements may also be fulfilled by a person who has otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.
General syllabus for doctoral studies in atmospheric science and oceanography
.
Selection
The selection between candidates who meet the entry requirements will be made with reference to their ability to benefit from the training. However, the fact that an applicant is deemed able to transfer credits from previous training or professional experience may not alone give the applicant priority over other applicants in the selection process. Admission decisions are made in accordance with current delegation policies.
The assessment criteria for admission to the postgraduate programme in atmospheric sciences and oceanography are familiarity with the theory and applications of the subject, subject knowledge relevant to the research project, the ability to express oneself orally and in writing, proficiency in English, analytical ability, creativity, initiative, independence and the ability to work collaboratively. The assessment of the applicant’s ability in these respects are based on the relevance and results of completed higher education courses, the quality and scope of the independent project, references, interviews and a personal statement from the applicant describing their expectations of, and intentions regarding, the programme.
Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University.
About the employment
Starting date as per agreement. We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a doctoral student, you should primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the employment may include work with education, research and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20 %).
A new employment as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, the employment is then renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.
Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.
Contact
For more information about the project, please contact professor Frida Bender,
frida.bender@misu.su.se
.
For more information about the PhD programme, please contact the study director, Associate Professor Thorsten Mauritsen
thorsten.mauritsen@misu.su.se
.
For information about the recruitment process and terms of employment, please contact Head of Administration Sara Engström,
sara.engstrom@misu.su.se
.
Application
Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.
We kindly ask applicants to refrain from submitting AI-generated applications.
The instructions for applicants are available at:
How to apply for a position
.