Postdoc Position in Volcanic Plume Modelling at University of Cambridge

We seek to recruit a postdoctoral researcher to join a major NERC-funded initiative that seeks to “improve characterisation of the multiphase processes experienced by volcanic emissions from source to sink to enable a significant step-change in our ability to predict eruption cloud evolution and deposition”. The project is titled Radar-supported Next-Generation Forecasting of Volcanic Ash Hazard (R4AsH), and is led by Lancaster University. R4AsH is a collaboration between the universities of Lancaster, Cambridge, Oxford, Reading and St Andrews with additional partners in the UK Met Office, Italy, Switzerland and the US. By combining laboratory experiments and satellite data with numerical modelling, the project will explore the potential of millimetre-wave radar for providing near real-time measurements of ash particle size and number density in volcanic plumes.

The researcher will be based at the University of Cambridge and will apply analytical and numerical skills to characterize the eruption source terms needed for volcanic ash transport and deposition models. The candidate will start in April 2019 or shortly thereafter.

The post will be supervised by Dr Michael Herzog and will be based in the atmospheric and volcanic processes group at the Department of Geography, University of Cambridge. It will focus on the application of the Active Tracer High-Resolution Atmospheric Model (ATHAM) for detailed near-vent plume modelling. A particular focus will be on the impact and efficiency of ash aggregation. Model outputs will be used to generate radar backscatter properties that will help to guide the application of ground-based radar equipment for real-time measurements of volcanic ash clouds. Applicants should have a doctorate in atmospheric or environmental science, physical volcanology, physics, applied mathematics or a related field and, ideally, a strong background in numerical modelling and fluid dynamics. Proficiency in computer programming (e.g. FORTRAN) is expected.

Candidates from outside the EU would require permission to work in the United Kingdom.

Informal inquiries should be directed to Dr Michael Herzog by email, mh526@cam.ac.uk.

Interviews are expected to take place w/c February 25th 2019 . Expected start date: April 2019, however, later start dates will be considered

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 24 months in the first instance.