The Climate School of Columbia University invites applications for an Associate Research Scientist position to study aerosol and cloud microphysics and connections to global climate. Aerosols and clouds are major influences on Earth's energy budget, and are key sources of uncertainty for how climate evolves over timescales from years to millennia. Aerosols originating from biomass burning, industrial emissions, desert surfaces and volcanic eruptions directly interact with radiation from the sun and Earth's surface. These aerosols also act as cloud condensation nuclei and ice nucleating particles, with these microscale interactions being integral controls on cloud physical and radiative properties. Aerosol and cloud microphysics is fundamental to the initiation and amount of rainfall, and affects how Earth's surface temperature evolves, for instance in cases of abundant volcanic aerosol presence or regulations on industrial aerosol emissions. Further, cloud radiative responses to climate perturbations cam amplify or dampen the extent to which these pertubations occur. We investigate the lifecycle of aerosols and clouds and the interplay between microscale processes and global climate. This research opportunity seeks an applicant that is interested in troposheric and stratospheric aerosol microphysical and chemical development, cloud microphysical processes, precipitation and the water cycle, and connections to historical and projected climates. 

The researcher will be involved in coding of aerosol and cloud processes in the NASA GISS Earth System Model. Model development and evaluation are a portion of the tasks. The specific science focus within the general topics listed above can be suggested by the applicant. The researcher will present this work at professional meetings and through peer-reviewed publications, while contributing to broader team efforts.

• The successful candidate must have a PhD in Atmospheric or Ocean Science or closely related field.
• A strong background or interest in modeling is required.

The search will remain open for at least 30 days after the advertisement appears and will continue until the position is filled. 

The initial appointment will be for 1 year with continuation contingent on performance and funding. 

Columbia University benefits accompany this Officer of Research appointment.

We accept online applications only. 

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Pay Transparency Disclosure

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training.  The above hiring range represents the University?s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

About Columbia University

Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions. It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.

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