PhD Research Studentship in Seasonal Predictability of European
Extreme Weather

Department of Space and Climate Physics - University College
London

Applications are invited for the above 3-year NERC/CASE funded
PhD studentship commencing September 2002 or earlier. The CASE
sponsor is Deutsche Bank, one of the world's leading investment
banks. Candidates should have, or expect to receive in 2002, a
First or Upper Second Class Honours degreee in an appropriate
physical science and have an interest in the commercial
application of research.

The seasonal predictability of European extreme weather is a
new and timely scientific challenge. Extremes of UK and
European weather - heatwaves, coldwaves, severe gales, floods,
and droughts - cause substantial losses, yet their potential
seasonal predictability and the benefits this may bring to
industry have received little scientific attention. This
research studentship, funded through the COAPEC (Coupled
Ocean-Atmosphere Processes and European Climate
(www.soc.soton.ac.uk/coapec/coapec.php) thematic programme of
the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), aims to
examine the seasonal predictability of European weather
extremes from prior conditions in the Atlantic ocean and from
prior knowledge of northern hemisphere snow and ice cover
extents. The project will also involve assessment of the skill
of forecasts generated by public agencies (the European Centre
for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) and the Met
Office).

The post will be based in UCL's Climate Prediction Group at
Holmbury St Mary, near Guildford, in Surrey. The successful
applicant will join an internationally competitive group with
sound links to industry researching the seasonal predictability
of weather and extreme weather. Excellent computer facilities
and climate data are available to support the work.

The appointee will spend one month's paid time each summer on
the trading floor of Deutsche Bank, the industrial sponsor.
During this time the student will be instructed on the
financial and commercial implications of their research, and
learn about the latest products for managing the impact of
weather risk.

The studentship maintenance grant for 2001/02 (excluding the
additional payment by Deutsche Bank) will be £11,100. This full
grant is available to British citizens. EU citizens are
eligible only for the payment of tuition fees.

Applications comprising a detailed curriculum vitae and the
names and addresses of at least two academic referees should be
sent to:

Dr Mark Saunders
Head, Climate Prediction Group
Department of Space and Climate Physics
University College London
Holmbury St Mary
Dorking
Surrey RH5 6NT

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 24th April 2002.
For further information please view
http://forecast.mssl.ucl.ac.uk, e-mail: [log in to unmask] or
telephone 01483-204187.

**********************************************
 Paul Rockett
 BGHRC/MSSL Tel: +44 (0)1483 204217
 Benfield-Greig Tel: +44 (0)20 7522 4027
 E-mail: [log in to unmask]
 TSR Web-site: http://tropicalstormrisk.com