Research Officer (RobustAssess)

London School of Economics and Political Science - Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment

Location: London

Salary: £42,679 to £51,000 per annum inclusive with potential to progress to £54,730 pa inclusive of London allowance

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 14th July 2025

Closes: 24th August 2025

LSE is committed to building a diverse, equitable and truly inclusive university

This is a full-time, fixed-term appointment until 29 September 2027

The Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment (GRI), based at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), is seeking a researcher to work on designing model ensembles that can efficiently explore the full range of plausible responses consistent with a greenhouse gas emissions scenario. This position is within the RobustAssess project which is funded by the Forecasting Tipping Points programme of the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA).

Climate model simulations are widely used to make projections of future climate. In this project we are interested in how they are used to understand the likelihood and character of potential tipping points in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) and the Sub-Polar Gyre (SPG). We will also be using them to help characterise the regional consequences of such tipping events and to provide inputs into assessments of their economic impacts.

The successful applicant will utilise low-dimensional nonlinear models to understand how to explore the consequences of model error in earth system models. They will design and demonstrate a system for generating ensembles of model simulations that capture the widest possible range of responses to driven climate change, thus enabling a new approach to the characterisation of uncertainty in climate projections.

The successful applicant will code and run low-dimensional non-linear systems as well as analysing datasets from Earth System Model ensembles. They will also collaborate with others on the project to support assessments of the economic consequences of north Atlantic tipping and to understand and track the uncertainty and assumptions in a range of other approaches.

The post holder will have a PhD by the post start date, or a similar level of expertise, in climate science, nonlinear dynamical systems, atmospheric or oceanic physics, climate modelling, climate impacts, climate tipping points, uncertainty quantification, statistics, philosophy of science, or a related or relevant field. They will hold knowledge and experience in one or more of areas relevant to the project, including climate or environmental modelling, meteorological modelling, uncertainty quantification, climate predictions, nonlinear dynamical systems, climate data processing, or a related quantitative field. The postholder will have the ability to conduct independent research, to analyse and research complex ideas, concepts, or theories, and an ability to communicate complex ideas and technical issues within an interdisciplinary team.

The selected candidate is expected to start as soon as possible.

We offer an occupational pension scheme, generous annual leave, hybrid working and excellent training and development opportunities.

For further information about the post, please see the how to apply document, job description and the person specification.

Should you have any queries about the role, please email gri.hr@lse.ac.uk

The closing date for receipt of applications is Sunday 24 August 2025 (23.59 UK time).