Course(s) Offered: African climate science
Course Level: Graduate (fellowships)
Provider: DFID, Met Office Hadley Centre
Country to Study in: Africa
Scholarship Description
African climate researchers and applied scientists are invited to apply for fellowships in African climate science. The fellowships are offered as part of the Climate Science Research Partnership (CSRP) between the Met Office Hadley Centre (MOHC) and the Department for International Development (DFID) of the UK government. The CSRP aims are to improve the understanding and prediction of African climate on monthly, seasonal and decadal timescales and to strengthen climate science capacity in Africa.
This Call for Applications is extended to climate researchers and applied climate scientists/practitioners working in the field of African climate variability and change. Three types of fellowship are available: Postgraduate Research Fellowships; Postdoctoral Research Fellowships; AND Applications Project Fellowships.
The grants are intended to increase the professional development of fellows and to advance the project aims of the CSRP. It is expected that the fellowships will represent the full-time occupation of the successful applicants – if this is not the case full details and appropriate adjustment of the budget must be provided in the Fellowship Proposal.
Eligibility
Applicants must be resident nationals of an African country. A strong preference will be given to candidates proposing a study/project that is closely aligned with one or more of the 7 CSRP themes.
Essential qualifications and skills:
Postgraduate Research Fellows-
- At least a Bachelors (BSc) degree in physics, mathematics, meteorology or atmospheric sciences (or expected to graduate before the start of the proposed fellowship).
- A good general understanding of climate science.
- Sufficient experience with computer software packages to be able to effectively manipulate and analyse data.
- A good working knowledge of spoken and written English.
- A PhD degree in the field of climate science (or expect to be awarded a PhD before the start of the proposed fellowship).
- A strong understanding of the CSRP theme selected for study, or closely related subject.
- Proven effectiveness in computer programming and use of software packages for manipulation and analysis of climate model output and/or observational datasets.
- A good working knowledge of spoken and written English.
- At least a Bachelors degree in physics, mathematics, meteorology, atmospheric sciences, or a related science or discipline associated with the application of climate information.
- Good experience of developing and supplying climate predictions, and/or monitoring products and/or applications products (e.g. through work at or in affiliation with a National Meteorological Service, regional centre, Regional Climate Outlook Forum, or other organisation/activity).
- Good experience with software packages for manipulation and analysis of climate model output and/or observational datasets and for generating graphical products.
- A good working knowledge of spoken and written English.
Citizens resident in an African country
Participating Institutions
Successful candidates may conduct the research or project work at the African institute where they are currently registered or appointed (the ‘Home Institute’) or in whole or in part as a ‘Visiting Fellow’ at another African institute (the ‘Host Institute’)
Fields of study
The research or applications project will be of the fellow’s own design, but must be tied to one or more of 7 CSRP themes. A strong preference will be given to candidates who propose a study or project that fits well
with one or more of the 7 themes listed below, each with an exclusive focus on Africa or an African region.
Candidates must nominate one theme which best describes the main focus of the proposed research or project. Candidates for Postgraduate or Postdoctoral Research Fellowships may select from any of the 7 themes. Candidates for Applications Project Fellowships should select from themes 4 to 7.
Postgraduate and Postdoctoral Research Fellowships only:
- Evaluation of HadGEM3 representation and predictability of climate variability
- Investigation of the mechanisms underlying climate variability
- Attribution: the role of anthropogenic factors in observed climate extremes
- Seasonal forecast evaluation and use
- Decadal forecast evaluation and demonstration of potential uses
- Construction of regional historical observation datasets
- Downscaling investigations and applications
Approximately 3 fellowships of each type will be awarded.
Sponsorship duration
The start and end timing of the fellowships is flexible within the following constraints: no fellowship may begin before 1 May 2011, and all fellowships must end no later than 31 December 2012.
- Postgraduate Research Fellowships (maximum 12 months duration);
- Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (maximum 12 months duration);
- Applications Project Fellowships (maximum 6 months duration).
Maximum grant award amounts are £9000 for Postgraduate Research Fellowships, £13000 for Postdoctoral Research Fellowships and £6500 for Applications Project Fellowships.
Fellowship awards must be used to cover the costs of implementing and carrying out the research/project activity including: travel to the Host Institute if required (round-trip, economy class airfare), accommodation and living expenses, the Host Institute’s costs (e.g. registration fees). However awards may not be used to purchase equipment. Applicants are required to provide an itemised breakdown of all costs in the budget section of their Fellowship Proposal.
The CSRP will fund travel, accommodation and a living allowance for an induction visit (up to 4 weeks duration) to the MOHC for all successful applicants. These costs should not be included in the applicant’s budget.
Method of Application
The following documents must be submitted to the CSRP Fellowship Coordinator on or before the 4 February 2011.
- Fellowship Proposal (to be submitted by the candidate)
- Copy of BSc or PhD certificate as appropriate, if already awarded (to be submitted by the candidate)
- Host Institute Endorsement Form (to be submitted by the Host Institute)
- Home Institute Endorsement Form (to be submitted by the Home Institute)
- User Organisation Endorsement Form (to be submitted by the User Organisation – required for all Applications Project Fellowships; only required for Postgraduate or Postdoctoral Fellowships if CSRP themes 4 or 5 are selected)
- Two (2) professional reference forms (to be submitted by the referees)
DEADLINES:
The deadline for applications is 4 February 2011.. Applications will be assessed by a panel comprising representatives of MOHC and DFID. We anticipate that successful candidates will be notified by 28 February 2011
Please note:
It is the responsibility of the applicant to coordinate all submissions and to ensure all required documents are completed and submitted by the application deadline. All completed documents should be submitted by email and attachment to the CSRP Fellowship Coordinator at the email address below.
Contact
For more information on the fellowship themes (see 'Fields of study' above) or on this Call for Applications, please contact the CSRP Fellowship Coordinator at csrp-fellowship-coord@metoffice.gov.uk.
For further information on the CSRP programme in general please visit the CSRP website or contact the CSRP Project Manager, Dr. Richard Graham at richard.graham@metoffice.gov.uk.
Application Deadline: 4 February 2011
Open to International students: No (ONLY Africans)
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