PhD studentship – Walker Institute for Climate System Research, NCAS-Climate, University of Reading.

“The influence of future land cover and global climate change on the climate of central Africa”.

Project details:

Human activity influences the climate and land surface both directly through changes in land cover, and indirectly through the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The project would focus on how both of these changes may impact the regional climate in Africa in the future, and would geographically focus on central Africa; a region which has undergone large scale land use changes such as deforestation and is predicted to do so further in the future.

The project has the following objectives

  • Overall aim would be to assess the sensitivity of the regional climate of central Africa to changes in land cover and compare this with the sensitivity of the regional climate to global climate change
  • Utilise satellite based databases of the climate of the region, high resolution current climate model integrations and the IPCC’s extensive database of current climate scenarios to assess the performance of regional and global climate models in simulating the climate of central Africa
  • Undertake present-day and future experiments using a climate model (in both global and regional mode) from the UK Meteorological Office Hadley Centre to assess the relative influences and sensitivities of direct and indirect human activity on the climate

The student will be based within the Walker Institute, and registered for a PhD with the Department of Meteorology, University of Reading. The studentship will provide analytical skills of large datasets, training in the use of satellite-derived data, and the skills to design experiments, set up and successfully run a state-of-the-art climate model.

Applicants are required to hold a good degree (First or Upper Second Class) in an appropriate subject e.g. meteorology, physics, mathematics, geosciences, physical geography, etc. Preferably, applicants should also have a Masters (MSc) degree in an appropriate subject. If not, and depending on the applicant’s background, the applicant will be expected to attend and be assessed in a sub-set of Masters level courses, which included subject-specific as well as generic transferable skills work. Applicants must have excellent English language skills and enjoy working in a multidisciplinary department.

The studentship will cover full fees (for UK students only – non-UK students will have to find funding themselves, to match the shortfall) and as well as a full maintenance grant.

Skills needed:

  • Working knowledge of Linux, Fortran (or similar e.g. IDL, Matlab, etc) and related software for analyzing and visualizing data
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
  • Ability to work and carry out research independently and enthusiastically

Informal enquiries can be made to: Dr Charles Williams (c.j.r.williams@reading.ac.uk)

Applicants should email a CV and covering letter to Dr Charles Williams (c.j.r.williams@reading.ac.uk)

Deadline for receipt of applications: 1 August 2008