Postdoctoral Fellow (Tropical Basin Interaction and Climate/Weather Impacts) (utaustin)

The Institute for Geophysics at The University of Texas at Austin (UTIG) invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to study the role of tropical basin interaction in determining tropical ocean variability and its remote climate/weather impacts. The successful candidate would analyze a suite of climate and atmospheric model simulations to understand the related physical processes of tropical ocean-atmosphere interaction and atmospheric teleconnection. UTIG is one of the three research units of the Jackson School of Geosciences at the University of Texas at Austin. Scientists and students at UTIG conduct expeditionary research in Earth Science in all parts of the world and are also involved in planetary missions and climate modeling. These research projects produce large data sets and require computational analysis and visualization.

Your skills will make a difference. 

You will be working for a university that is internationally recognized for our academic programs and research. You will be part of an international effort at the forefront of advancing the energy transition. You will be part of a vibrant university experience that interweaves students, engineering and support staff and senior scientists. You will be part of a team, launching young people on their careers and advancing fundamental and applied science. UT Austin provides an outstanding benefits package including: 

• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%) 

• ​Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options 

• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays 

• Hybrid work schedule

• Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with 7.75% employer matching funds 

• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b) 

• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses 

• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities 

• Tuition assistance 

• Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets 

• Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card 

• Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card 

For more details, please see: https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits and https://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/my-total-rewards

PURPOSE

Year-to-year variability of tropical oceans has profound impacts on climate and weather patterns around the world, as exemplified by the El Nino-Southern Oscillation phenomenon in the tropical Pacific. The three tropical ocean basins do not vary in insolation but influence each other via the atmosphere. However, it remains unclear to what degree the interaction of tropical ocean basins affects the pattern and evolution of tropical ocean variability and how the diverse relationship of tropical oceans modulates the remote climate/weather impacts, particularly extreme events. UTIG seeks a postdoctoral scholar who can contribute to ongoing work to better understand the role of tropical basin interaction in shaping tropical ocean variability and impacts.

The successful candidate would work primarily with Dr. Yuko Okumura but will have opportunities to collaborate with other researchers at UTIG, across the wider UT campus, and project team members at the University of California at San Diego and Verisk Analytics. Candidates should have a strong background in climate dynamics and experience in analyzing climate and atmospheric model output. In addition to supporting ongoing work at UTIG, the successful candidate will be encouraged to develop their own projects with support from Dr. Okumura and other researchers.

The appointment is for up to 21 months, contingent on performance, with a negotiable start date.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Analyze a suite of climate and atmospheric model simulations to understand the role of tropical basin interaction in determining tropical ocean variability and its remote climate/weather impacts.

• Present research results to the scientific community and the broader public.

• Contribute to research within a vibrant group of students, postdocs, and researchers across UT.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Ph.D. in climate dynamics, atmospheric sciences, physical oceanography, or a related field, completed within the last three years.

Research experience with climate and atmospheric model output.

PERFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Research experience with tropical climate variability, tropical basin interaction, atmospheric teleconnection, and/or extreme events.

Strong publication record in closely related research topics

SALARY RANGE

$65,000

WORKING CONDITIONS

• May work around standard office conditions.

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

• Curriculum Vitae

• Brief (1-2 page) statement of interest

• Three references

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• http://www.utexas.edu/hr/documents/EverifyPosterEnglish.pdf
• http://www.utexas.edu/hr/documents/EverifyPosterSpanish.pdf
• http://www.utexas.edu/hr/documents/RightToWorkPosterEnglish.pdf
• http://www.utexas.edu/hr/documents/RightToWorkPosterSpanish.pdf

Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the 2021 report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe, Suite UTA 2.206, Austin, TX 78701.