Postdoc in Atmospheric Physics On Deep Learning

The Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) is a member of the Helmholtz Association (HGF) and funded by federal and state government. AWI focuses on polar and marine research in a variety of disciplines such as biology, oceanography, geology, geochemistry and geophysics thus allowing multidisciplinary approaches to scientific goals.
- PostDoc in atmospheric physics on deep learning / foundational modelling of clouds (w/d/m)

**Background**

The use of deep learning for weather forecasting has exploded in recent years, and is transforming the computational representation of atmospheric processes. Large-scale models have so far been trained on coarse-resolution model data and thereby inherited some weaknesses of classical models in the representation of important but small-scale processes in the atmospheric boundary-layer. To make the next leap forward in deep learning of atmospheric processes, we intend to train a model on high-resolution model output and observations. We thereby aim at improving deep learning models beyond the limitations of current models.

**Your Tasks**

You will will familiarize themselves with the deep learning techniques and models used in atmospheric and climate science. You will also fine-tune a pre-trained foundational model such as Atmorep or Aurora using diverse data from large-eddy simulations, direct numerical simulations and observations of the real atmosphere. Furthermore, you will collaborate with atmospheric scientists in our group and machine-learning experts from the Helmholtz AI program to develop a setup that allows to train a generalizable model of atmospheric boundary-layer processes. The tasks also include the presentation of results at conferences and publishing results as scientific papers.

**Your Profile**
- Strong quantitative and numerical skills (or experience with deep learning methods, particularly with transformer-based architectures from a different domain)
- Good knowledge of English as a working language
- Prior experience in Earth system modelling and machine-learning is a bonus

**Further Information**

This is a full-time position, limited to 3 years. It is also suitable for part-time employment. The salary will be paid in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the Federation (Tarifvertrag des öffentlichen Dienstes, TVöD Bund), up to salary level **13.** The place of employment will be **Bremerhaven**.**

All postdocs will register with AWI's postdoc office **PROCEED** and thus gain access to a set of tailor-made career development tools.

**The AWI is characterized by**
- our scientific success - excellent research
- collaboration and cooperation - intra-institute, national and international, interdisciplinary
- opportunities to develop - on the job and towards other positions
- an international environment - everyday contact with people from all over the world
- flexible working hours and the possibility of mobile working up to 50% of regular working hours
- health promotion and company fitness with Hansefit and Wellhub
- support services and a culture of reconciling work and family
- occupational pension provision (VBL)

Applicants with disabilities will be given preference when equal qualifications are present.

AWI fosters work-family compatibility in various ways and has received several awards as a result of this commitment. **And as a new international member of our team, you can be sure that we will help you settle in. Our **Family Office** and **International Office** will be glad to support you**, **even before you start at AWI.

Reference number: 24/192/G/Kli-b