2 Postdocs in Germany

2 Postdocs on data assimilation and multiscale parameter regionalization at UFZ Leipzig, Germany

We have job openings for 2 Postdocs to work on
1. Data assimilation in the hydrologic model mHM
2. Implementation of the Multiscale Parameter Regionalization into land surface models

ad 1: Data assimilation in the hydrologic model mHM
A diversity of data from for example soil sensor networks, Eddy covariance stations, rain radar, etc. are acquired on TERENO sites in the coming years. The PostDoc should explore how these different data streams can be used consistently in models of varying complexity such as the hydrologic model mHM or the land surface scheme NOAH-MP. He/she should further investigate how to incorporate information from disparate sensors such as cosmic ray sensors and satellite radiometer into the mesoscale model mHM, which spatial model resolution is in-between the two observation streams. The candidate shall enhance the know-how of the department on data assimilation techniques such as Ensemble Kalman Filters, data fusion, 4D-var, amongst others, which becomes essential to the department in the next years.

ad 2: Implementation of the Multiscale Parameter Regionalization into land surface models
Land surface models are often developed for large spatial scales, e.g. as the lower boundary for Global Circulation Models (GCM). They are, however, used extensively on much finer scales such as in Regional Climate Models (RCM). The model descriptions stay hereby the same with no adjustment for model resolution. This does not conserve fluxes across the different computational scales. The Multiscale Parameter Regionalization (MPR) technique developed at the department CHS has been very successful for estimating water fluxes with the hydrologic model mHM in Germany and the USA. The position will inquire how to transfer this regionalization technique to land surface models. It will implement it in NOAH-MP, a land surface model used on a multitude of model resolutions.

The positions are at the Department Computational Hydrosystems of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, works as a computational laboratory devoted to the development, validation, and integration of hydrological and soil-vegetation-atmosphere transfer models at different temporal and spatial scales. Spatial heterogeneity of land surface and subsurface characteristics are of central concern to the department. The department is a multi-disciplinary, young research team with strong mathematical and computational background. It operates a suite of complex models in hydrology and biosphere-atmosphere interactions.

The candidates should meet the following requirements:
– a PhD/Doctorate in mathematics or natural sciences
– strong computational (e.g. Fortran, Matlab, or C++) and statistical skills
– proven experience in hydrological modelling or land surface modelling
– knowledge of assimilation techniques is a plus
– good knowledge of English is required.

The place of work is Leipzig, Germany. Salary will be according to the appropriate civil service level TVÖD, salary group 13 or 14 depending on experience.

The UFZ is an equal opportunity employer. Women are explicitly encouraged to apply to increase their share in science and research. Physically handicapped persons will be favoured if they are equally qualified.

Further information can be provided by:
Dr. Luis Samaniego, Tel. +49 (0)341 235 1971, e-mail: luis.samaniego@ufz.de

Interested?
Please send your application until 23.06.2013 under Code Digit 47/2013 to the Human Resource department of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, PO Box 500136, 04301 Leipzig, Germany, or by e-mail to application@ufz.de.