The Department of Meteorology at the University of Bonn, Germany invites applications for a PhD position in meteorology. This position is within the project TOSCA (Towards an Optimal-estimation-based Snow Characterization Algorithm) funded by the German Science Foundation and it is available for three-year period (starting as soon as possible).

Research theme: Development of an optimal estimation technique to profile snowing and thick ice clouds by exploiting a suite of active and passive microwave sensors in two configurations
(one space-borne, the other ground-based) by coupling detailed microphysical and electromagnetic models of ice clouds with state-of-the-art radiative transfer tools.

Goal of the project: the main goal of the project is to produce an unprecedented test-bed for evaluating microphysical schemes for cloud and precipitating ice within climate and NWP models. This work will significantly improve the understanding of the characteristics of mid-latitude winterly precipitation as well. These goals will be achieved by exploiting an optimal-estimation algorithm for snow and thick ice cloud characteristics based on multi-sensor active and passive microwave observations. The main target will be the retrieval of ice water content profiles, but also particle size distribution mean size and habit for given environmental conditions, i.e. temperature and humidity profiles.

Two retrieval prototypes for two different platforms will be developed: a satellite-based algorithm for the A-Train constellation and a ground-based algorithm for mid and high latitude
precipitation events using the suite of instruments located at the Zugspitze in the Alps.
An electronic copy of the TOSCA proposal with full details of the project is available at:

http://www.meteo.uni-bonn.de/mitarbeiter/battaglia/projects.html

PhD work description and requirements: the PhD student based in Bonn will work at radiative transfer computations and sensitivities studies for snowy scenarios and he will develop a prototype ice hydrometeor retrieval for the A-train constellation. This work requires good computing skills and background in physics, meteorology, and/or atmospheric sciences. Any knowledge/skill in microwave radiative transfer, retrieval algorythm development, radar/radiometer/satellite data analyses, will be an advantage.

Salary: 50% Bat IIa (around 1000 euros/month, netto)

Send cover letter and supporting documents (CV and documentation of your academic record including a list of publications, a short description of research interests, and possibly letters of recommendation) to Dr. Alessandro Battaglia, Meteorological Institute, University of Bonn, Auf
dem Hügel 20, 53121 Bonn, Germany or to batta@uni-bonn.de.

Closing date: 30 May 2007

Dr. Alessandro Battaglia,
Meteorological Institute,
University of Bonn,
Auf dem Hügel 20,
53121 Bonn,
Germany
Phone: ++49 (228) 73-5779
Fax: ++49 (228) 73-5188