Antarctic mass loss is the largest source of uncertainty in current sea level rise projections. Ocean driven basal melt under the ice shelves is believed to be the cause of the accelerated Antarctic mass loss over the last decades. However, an understanding of the physical mechanisms that increased basal melt is still lacking and biases in ocean models are still large. You will lead the development of a high-resolution (1/12º) circumpolar ocean/sea-ice model based on the Nucleus for European Modelling of the Ocean (NEMO) platform in which ice-shelf melt physics have recently been implemented and tested. In particular you will strive to improve the representation of tides, check the model sensitivity to bottom topography and to calving. During your project, you will work in close collaboration with remote sensing experts at Delft University of Technology who will provide basal melt estimates that will be used to calibrate the ocean model. This project will pave the way for the development of a coupled climate/ice sheet model by the EC-EARTH consortium in which KNMI takes part.

The project
This position is part of the HiRISE project, a collaboration between Researchers at Utrecht University, Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands Royal Meteorological Institute (KNMI), Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) and Université Libre de Bruxelles, and funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). The project combines field measurements, satellite data and climate models to chart the current state of Antarctica’s ice shelves with high resolution and accuracy and reduce the uncertainty in projections of sea level rise. The HiRISE team will eventually consist of four PhD candidates, four Postdocs and one Technician. During the project, you will spend part of your time at one of the collaborating institutes and actively exchange your results, ideas and plans during regular meetings with the other team members.

• A completed PhD in Physical Oceanography, Climate Physics, Meteorology, or closely related fields.
• Experience with state-of-the-art ocean or climate modelling systems, and observational data.
• Familiarity with programming large complex systems, an eye for detail, and a broad understanding of the structure and rationale of computer codes; in particular extensive experience with Python and Fortran (or equivalent languages) on Linux systems.
• Experience with High Performance Computing
• You have a pro-active attitude and the ability to document findings in a clear and accessible way for experts and nonexperts.
• Result oriented attitude and skills to timely manage your work to guarantee the progress of the projects.
• Excellent English communication skills and preferably a basic understanding of Dutch.

Fixed-term contract: 3 jaar.

• Salary: schale 11
• Monthly salary: Min. €3.256 – Max. €5.003 (bruto)
• Contract­: 3 years
• Min. hours per week: 28
• Max. hours per week: 36

Other conditions of employement
In addition to the salary and holiday pay an end-of-year payment can be expected, the so-called 13th month. The national government strongly adheres to personal growth and carreer development and offers several possibilities to facilitate this. The terms of employment include amongst others a maximum 55% paid parental leave  (conditions apply), facilities to study, additional arrangements for leave for elderly and a refund for commuter traffic. The national government offers possibilities for a number of individual choices in shaping the total package of terms of employement.

• This is a 3-years position
• Acquisition based on this job vacancy is not appreciated.

Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), Ministry of Infrastructure and Watermanagement

The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) advises on and warns society about reducing risks with atmospheric or seismic origins. KNMI develops high-quality knowledge, carries out observations and translates them into products and services that reduce safety risks, contribute to a sustainable society and promote economic opportunities. KNMI aims to provide reliable information and is an independent authority in the field of weather, climate, air quality, seismology and other geophysical phenomena.

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Watermanagement is committed to improving quality of life, access and mobility in a clean, safe and sustainable environment. The Ministry strives to create an efficient network of roads, railways, waterways and airways, effective water management to protect against flooding, and improved air and water quality.

Research and Development of Weather and Climate models (RDWK)

The department Research and Development of Weather and Climate models (RDWK) investigates and develops research tools for weather and air quality prediction applications and climate research. We work on detailed physical processes, data assimilation, long term climate projections and practical applications including storm surge forecasts and statistics of extremes. RDWK participates in a number of international projects directed towards a variety of weather and climate related research and development areas. The department has a strong international network.

The department performs its activities in collaboration with partners like HIRLAM/Harmonie, EC-Earth, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and universities. We work for Rijkswaterstaat the national road and water authority, the Ministry for Infrastructure and Water Management, the Dutch research funding organisation (NWO), the European Copernicus programme and other European research programmes; and on servicing the operational weather forecast centre, climate scenario’s and strategic research. The department collaborates with the other KNMI departments.