Opportunities

The Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) at the University of Illinois System seeks a postdoctoral researcher focused on improving the understanding of urban land-atmosphere interactions and their implications for urban sustainability and climate. The position will be located in Chicago. The postdoc will conduct research on improving urban hydrometeorology and/or air quality over global cities in a changing climate. This research will involve multi-scale high-resolution meteorology and air quality simulations using state-of-the-art models such as the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) and the Unified Forecast System (UFS). The candidate will have an opportunity to contribute to multiple projects addressing urban climate issues from a diverse lens.

This is a three-year opportunity, but as always within the university system, the position will be renewed every year following an annual performance evaluation and availability of funding. The candidate will get an opportunity to work on multiple projects with an interdisciplinary team composed of highly motivated postdocs and scientists at DPI and interact with collaborators from multiple universities, national laboratories, and international collaborators. The postdoc will also get an opportunity to be integrated with Community Research on Climate and Urban Science (CROCUS), a flagship project from the US Department of Energy to create a network of Urban Integrated Field Laboratories to study climate change impacts in local urban communities across the US. Other projects include the Clean Energy and Equitable Transportation Solutions (CLEETS) NSF Global Center to work at the intersection of climate, transportation, health, and economic impacts. 

Note this is a general advertisement, and we encourage potential candidates to reach out to see if there is a match.

Desired:

• Experience with one or more of the following: Numerical weather prediction; regional and urban climate modeling; large-eddy simulations (LES); air quality models; and machine learning focusing on environmental flows.
• Experience in developing or modifying model physical and/or chemical parameterizations.
• Experience using multi-platform (ground-based, airborne, balloon-borne, ship-borne, satellite-borne, etc.) observational datasets.
• Strong programming background (ideally including experience with Fortran, C++, and Python)
• Experience working with GIS tools is a plus but not required.
•  Interdisciplinary expertise is encouraged.

Qualifications:

• Candidates must have an earned doctorate in atmospheric sciences or a closely related field (at the time of appointment) and experience running high-resolution climate models and analyzing big data.
• Comprehensive knowledge of urban climatology.
• Ability to design experiments and scientific methods to achieve research goals, analyze results, and publish research findings in journals.
• Strong oral and written communication skills demonstrated by a record of presenting scientific results and writing journal articles.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a collaborative environment with a diverse team of scientists, engineers, and students.
• Proven ability to prioritize, organize, and follow through on tasks.

To apply, please submit the following application materials:

Applications will be reviewed as they arrive.

Consideration of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For questions about the positions and/or to apply, please contact Dr. Ashish Sharma (sharmaa@uillinois.edu). To apply, please email dpiclimate@uillinois.edu