I am seeking a graduate student (MS or PhD) to join the lab in Fall 2024 to work on a NSF-funded project: Constraining Cloud and Convective Parameterizations using paleoclimate data assimilation. The project is collaborative with Dr. Michael Griffiths at William Paterson University and Drs. Allegra LeGrande and Gregory Elsaesser at NASA-GISS. Cloud parameterization is amongst the largest uncertainty in climate modeling and has a direct impact on a model's climate sensitivity. Climate sensitivity in turn dictates how much warming (and associated climate changes) a model predicts, so constraining climate sensitivity is extremely important for improving assessments of future climate changes and impacts. This project will address this issue by leveraging climates of the past. Specifically, we will use data assimilation of paleoclimate proxy information from the Last Glacial Maximum and mid-Holocene to constrain cloud and convective parameter choices in a large ensemble of simulations conducted with the NASA GISS E3 model. These selected parameter choices will then be used to run future simulations and narrow values for climate sensitivity and climate predictions.

Qualifications: A bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline, such as Earth Sciences, Atmospheric Sciences, Computer Science, Physics, or Math. Must have demonstrated proficiency with a programming languages such as Python, Matlab, Julia, C, or Fortran. Experience with statistical methods is preferred. Candidate must demonstrate interest in pursuing climate research and be willing to work as a member of team with multiple PIs and a postdoctoral scholar.

How to apply: Send me an email expressing why you are interested in the position and how your skills and qualifications might benefit the project. Attach your CV. To officially apply for the position, you must apply for admission to the University of Arizona Geosciences department as a graduate student (info here) but I encourage you to contact me first to ensure that this position is a good fit. The graduate school application closes January 5, 2024.

I am also recruiting graduate students to join my lab group in Fall 2024 more broadly in the areas of molecular paleoclimatology, statistical paleoclimate reconstruction, and paleoclimate modeling, although the priority is to fill the above advertised position. If you are interested in joining the lab and have research interests along these lines, same procedure applies: send me an email describing your interest in my research group and attach your CV.

UA Geosciences offers a top-ranked graduate program and Tucson is a wonderful, and affordable, place to live. In addition to beautiful hiking trails we are the first city in the United States to be designated a UNESCO World City of Gastronomy. If you like food, art, music, and a climate that is warm and sunny 85% of the time then Tucson is for you! Visit the Geosciences website for more information about our program, faculty, students, and staff.

I am seeking a postdoc who can work broadly on paleoclimate data assimilation (DA). We have a new project called paleoWeather that will use DA and high-resolution modeling experiment to illuminate how extremes in the climate system behaved in past warm climates. The project can provide multiple years of postdoc funding. I am looking for someone with coding skills in Python, Matlab, or Julia who has experience working with climate model output, and ideally is familiar with paleoclimates. Please email me if you are interested, the project is starting January 1 2024 so the position is available immediately!

If you are an undergrad at the University of Arizona and interested in getting some experience in climate science or organic geochemistry, get in contact with me. We often have opportunities to work in the laboratory, either for course credit or for pay.