Employment

 

Wanted:  Science postdoc to work on solar geoengineering

I need a postdoc who will do applied climate science to improve policy-relevant assessments of the risks and efficacy of solar geoengineering.

You will have substantial autonomy. You need not spend all your time on solar geoengineering.

Candidates with a critical view of solar geoengineering are particularly welcome. You must be strongly motivated to understand these technologies and their policy implications. Prior experience working on solar geoengineering is an asset, but not a requirement.

My ideal candidate has very strong general skills: writing, a grounding in physical and earth sciences, computer programming, and strong self-motivation. I am less concerned about domain-specific knowledge, but a typical candidate would have a degree in geoscience and experience with some (but not all) of the following: atmospheric dynamics, geophysical data analysis, geophysical model development, and applied analysis of climate change to inform climate policy. I am keen to hear from exceptional candidates even if they do not have an obviously relevant background.

The following illustrate current technical work in my group as a guide to the kind of topics you might want to work on:

  • Integrating Lagrangian models of stratospheric plumes into three-dimensional GCM's to better represent stratospheric aerosol geoengineering.
  • Assessing the visual consequences of geoengineering using 3D radiative transfer models and experimental tests of human perception – (e.g. Under a White Sky?).
  • Understanding the stratospheric response to radiative heating perturbations.  
  • Assessing the efficacy and environmental impact methods to increase albedo of arctic ice.
  • Assessing how solar geoengineering changes temperature extremes.

 

Community: My group is small, 4 grad students and 2 research staff. You can see our recent publications here (website overdue for reboot). We are most closely tied to Earth and Planetary Science, Environmental Science and Engineering, and the Kennedy School and to Harvard’s Solar Geoengineering Research Program. My science group is physically and intellectually integrated with Profs Keutsch and Anderson.

 

How to apply: Send me a concise email. If not obvious from your CV you should provide reasons you are a good fit for the position. I can’t promise to respond to all inquiries. Getting recommendations from research leaders is the best way to get my attention. Have your thesis advisor, or someone else who knows your work well to write a note to me on your behalf. These notes can be short and informal.