Research Fellow in Weather Forecast Postprocessing with Machine Learning

University of Birmingham - School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Full-time starting salary is normally in the range £36,130 to £45,413, with potential progression once in post to £48,149.

Background

This post will advance the application of Machine Learning (ML) in weather forecasting and hydrological prediction. The Research Fellow will develop ML methods for postprocessing numerical ensemble weather forecasts over India to improve the skill of precipitation predictions and to generate hydrological forecasts.

Role Summary

• Implement and test different ML architectures for postprocessing precipitation forecasts over India.
• Determine how to maximise information extracted from the raw forecasts and how to optimise postprocessing skill for heavy precipitation.
• Develop ML methods to predict hydrological variables from the weather forecasts.
• Publish the results in high-quality journals and present them at conferences.
• Contribute to generating funding

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Implement and test different Artificial Neural Network (ANN) architectures, such as convolutional and encoder-decoder ANNs, for postprocessing ensemble precipitation forecasts over India from the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) global ensemble prediction system (NEPS-G).
• Develop innovative specifications of input and output of postprocessing that account for the stochastic nature of precipitation and for systematic location errors in the original forecasts.
• Apply Interpretable AI concepts to make the postprocessing transparent and to improve the understanding of processes during heavy precipitation events over India.
• Implement the ML postprocessing methods on high performance computing systems in a way that is suitable for operational use.
• Implement and test different ML architectures, such as convolutional and encoders-decoder ANNs for predicting flooding in Bihar and Kerala from the NEPS-G ensemble weather forecasts.
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline

Person Specification

• PhD, or close to completion, in a relevant, quantitative field, e.g. meteorology, machine learning, climate science, physics, mathematics, statistics or related fields.
• Evidence of good understanding (or capacity to develop understanding) of statistics and ML.
• Evidence of a good understanding (or capacity to develop understanding) of meteorological processes and numerical weather prediction, and preferably specific knowledge related to monsoon precipitation.
• Experience working with large meteorological datasets.
• Good programming skills in languages such as Python, MATLAB or R.
• Familiarity with UNIX/LINUX.
• High level analytical capability.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes.

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the Apply button above.

Further enquiries can be addressed to Martin Widmann (m.widmann@bham.ac.uk).

We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.