Postdoctoral Fellow–Numerical Modeling of Thermo-chemical Convection in Earth’s Core and Implications for Geodynamo Evolution
Department: EPL – Earth and Planets Laboratory
Location: Washington, D.C.
To Apply: EPL – Earth and Planets Laboratory | Carnegie Science Careers
The Earth and Planets Laboratory (EPL), Carnegie Institution for Science, seeks applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow to investigate numerical modeling of thermo-chemical convection in Earth’s core and implications for geodynamo evolution. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive community at the Carnegie Institution for Science. We believe academic environments should be places where diverse groups of people with a variety of viewpoints and ideas can thrive and work together. As such, we encourage applicants from under-represented groups and backgrounds to apply.
The position is part of a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded program to incorporate thermo-chemical convection to an existing numerical dynamo model (Rayleigh). The larger motivation is to investigate how two coupled buoyancy fields interact in rotating convection, and how they may have contributed to the evolution of Earth’s magnetic field.
Modeling thermo-chemical rotating convection is a complex dynamic process that involves two buoyancy fields with different diffusivities. The fields can be coupled by their boundary conditions, which is expected to produce new dynamical feedbacks between the fields that will influence the flow and magnetic field generation. The candidate will assist in the development of the 3D dynamo code (Rayleigh) in direct collaboration with Drs. Peter Driscoll (EPL) and Cian Wilson (EPL). Collaboration with other members of the Rayleigh development team working on related topics is also anticipated. The candidate will have access to Carnegie’s high performance computational facilities.
Minimum qualifications: The applicant must have completed a doctoral degree in geophysics, physics, planetary science, or a related field at the time of appointment. The candidate should have experience in computational fluid dynamics and programming proficiency, especially with Fortran and/or python.
Desired qualifications: Familiarity with numerical modeling of rotating convection is desirable, and experience with spectral or pseudo-spectral numerical modeling software is a bonus.
The application deadline is December 1, 2022. The appointment is for one year, with renewal for a second year pending progress. The position will be based at the Broad Branch Road campus of the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington, DC. This is an FLSA Exempt position. Interested parties should send a cover letter, curriculum vitae (including publications), statement of research interests, and contact information for three references.
Only complete applications submitted via this website will be considered.
The Carnegie Institution is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of gender, race/ethnicity, protected veteran status, disability, or other protected group status.