We invite applications for two postdoctoral fellows to conduct fundamental, process-oriented research as part of NCAR's pre-field contribution to the Pacific Upwelling and Mixing Physics (PUMP) study, which is part of the NOAA Climate Variability and Predictability Program. PUMP is directed at the complex of interacting oceanic processes that connect the thermocline to the surface in the equatorial Pacific cold tongue.
The goals of the present work are, first, to investigate dynamical processes in the Pacific Equatorial Cold Tongue in a hierarchy of numerical models, and second to characterize the space- and time-scales and the dynamics of upwelling and its process-level connection to mixing. The results of these studies will contribute to the design of planned in situ process studies of equatorial physics, and in turn to the redesign of the Tropical Pacific Observing System (TPOS).
To this end, we seek applicants who can contribute in two ways: 1) by analyzing existing model output from global-scale simulations, informed by existing observations, and 2) by developing, running and analyzing models at the regional and/or LES scales. The project involves close collaboration between modelers and observationalists at NCAR (Daniel Whitt, Scott Bachman, William Large, Frank Bryan), the University of Washington (LuAnne Thompson, Ren-Chieh Lien), and the NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (William Kessler). We encourage applicants with observational and/or modeling experience and interests to apply.
Possible specific research topics may include:
Dynamics and properties of horizontal divergence, upwelling, and meridional circulations near the Pacific Equatorial Cold Tongue (ECT). Relationships between upwelling and surface forcing across timescales from synoptic to inter-annual. Decomposing adiabatic and diabatic components of the vertical velocity. Implications for the heat budget of the ECT.
Dynamics and properties of shear, stratification, turbulence and mixing near the ECT. Sensitivity to larger scale oceanic and atmospheric variability, e.g. due to the diurnal cycle or passing tropical instability waves. Coupling between turbulent mixing and larger-scale equatorial ocean circulations. Turbulence parameterization in ocean models.
Position Term:
2-years, with possibility of extension
Application Deadline:
This position will be posted until September 28, 2018 or until a sufficient number of applications have been received. Thereafter, applications will be reviewed on an as-needed basis.
https://ucar.silkroad.com/epostings/ind ... tartflag=1