3 year PhD position at Cologne University

The Institute for Geophysics and Meteorology at Cologne (Köln)
University, Germany is inviting 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 a three-year period
(starting as soon as possible). The goal of TOSCA is to develop methods
for profiling snowing and thick ice clouds by exploiting a suite of
active and passive microwave sensors and additional measurements in two
measurement configurations (one space-borne, the other ground-based).
This will create an unprecedented test-bed for evaluating microphysical
schemes for cloud and precipitating ice within climate and NWP models,
thus improving the understanding of the characteristics of mid-latitude
winterly precipitation.

The successful applicant will work on the development of an optimal
estimation technique for ground-based profiling of ice water content,
but also particle size distribution mean size and habit for given
environmental conditions, i.e. temperature and humidity profiles.
Specifcally the theortical focus will be on deriving/applying a suited
single scattering approximation for fast radiative transfer
calculations, the determination of adequate microphysical a priori
profiles and the combination of cloud radar, microwave radiometer,
ceilometer and disdrometer measurements into a unified retrieval scheme.
Additonally, the pratical part will comprise of setting up, performing
and evaluating the measurements at the Environmental Research Station
Schneefernerhaus (http://www.schneefernerhaus.de) located at the top of
Germany in the Alps at 2650m during two dedicated measurement campaigns.

This work requires good computing skills and background in physics,
meteorology, and/or atmospheric sciences. Any knowledge/skill in
microwave radiative transfer, retrieval algorithm development,
radar/radiometer data analysis or carrying out remote sensing
measurements will be of advantage.

Salary: 50% Bat IIa (around 1000 €/month, net)

Please send a 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. Ulrich Löhnert, Institute for Meteorology and
Geophysics, Cologne University, Zülpicher Straße 49a, 50674 Köln,
Germany or to loehnert@...

An electronic copy of the TOSCA proposal with full details of the
project is available at http://www.meteo.uni-koeln.de/crewell/doku.php/tosca

The closing date is May 30, 2007.

Best regards,
Ulrich Löhnert

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Dr. Ulrich Loehnert, Institute for Geophysics and Meteorology
Zülpicher Str. 49a, 50674 Cologne, Germany
Email: loehnert@...
Phone: ++49 +221 470 1779/Fax: ++49 +221 470 5161
www.meteo.uni-koeln.de/loehnert