Senior Researcher: Climate and Seasonal Forecasting at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the Job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Researcher: Climate and Seasonal Forecasting in the Climate and Air Quality Modelling research group of Holistic Climate Change Impact Area, within the Smart Places cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for dynamical and statistical analysis of the regional and global climate model simulations performed by the group, for both present-day and future climate, with the purpose of enhancing the understanding of African circulation dynamics.

The position further requires a research focus on the improvement in climate change projection systems and the downscaling of both seasonal forecasts and climate change projections, towards generating tailor-made prediction/projection products to the benefit of end-users. The evaluation of model forecasts (seasonal time scale) and the reliability of projections for future climate change will be key components of the incumbent’s work. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the research group’s development of improved seasonal forecast and decadal predictability systems;
• Develop and apply dynamical and statistical downscaling procedures of seasonal forecasts and climate simulations to obtain predictants such as streamflow, SPI, SPEI and crop yield;
• Study the dynamics of southern African inter-annual and decadal variability under present-day and future forcings;
• Exploring new innovative methods of climate modelling, such as machine learning and big data analysis techniques.
• Act as the interface between climate modelling specialists and application modellers within the CSIR and other institutions;
• Actively lead proposal writing in the fields of climate change and climate variability in the active pursuit of CSIR contract research;  
• Be proactive in leading the pursuance of CSIR contract research in the fields of climate change and climate variability including through stakeholder engagement and proposal writing;
• Mentor and formally supervise the post-graduate research of candidate-researchers and researchers within the research group.

Qualifications, skills, and experience:

• A Master’s degree in meteorology/climatology or related field with at least ten years’ experience in these fields; a doctoral degree would be an added advantage.
• Extensive experience in the analysis of four-dimensional climate model simulations and observed/reanalysis data sets;
• Extensive experience in the calculation of climate statistics and statistical model verification;
• Experience in the statistical downscaling of climate simulations and seasonal forecasts to predictants such as crop yield, SPIs and streamflow;
• Experience in numerical and scientific programming (e.g. Fortran, Matlab), data manipulation and visualisation (e.g. in GrADS and GIS environments);
• Working knowledge of Linux operating systems and high performance computing;
• A recent and extensive publication record in the fields of climate variability, climate change, seasonal forecasting and related downscaling techniques;
• Skills in the communication of climate science to the general public, stakeholders and policy makers;
• Understanding of local and international policies, regulations and frameworks on climate change
• Demonstrable experience and success in attracting R&D funding and the successful management of research projects;
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work closely with others in a research group;
• Must have a valid driver’s licence.

Closing date: 28 November 2023