🇳🇱 Wageningen, Netherlands · 7h ago
PhD: 3D radiation in clouds and wildfire plumes using GPUs and machine learning
Wageningen University & Research
LinkedInEnglish-friendly
Your jobThis PhD project is part of ORCRIST: Optimized Ray-tracing for Cloud-Radiation Interaction Simulations in 3D using GPUs and Machine Learning, funded by the NWO Open Technology Programme.Sunlight and heat radiation move through the atmosphere in three dimensions, yet almost every weather and climate model still treats radiation as a purely vertical process. We want to change that. As a PhD candidate in Wageningen, you will help build the first Monte Carlo ray tracer for the atmosphere that is fast enough for forecasting, and use it to find out how 3D radiation shapes clouds, solar energy availability, climate sensitivity and wildfire plumes. You will work in a tandem with a fellow PhD student in computer science at Leiden University, who focuses on GPU optimization, while you lead the physics. Together you will develop a machine-learning denoiser that brings the ray tracer to operational speed. Your research has a clear route to society: throughout the project you will work with a user committee of KNMI, weather forecasting company Whiffle, TNO, software company VORtech and Columbia University.Your Duties And Responsibilities IncludeSetting up three benchmark simulations in the GPU-accelerated model MicroHH: solar energy forecasting, tropical climate, and a real wildfire plume.Developing a 3D thermal radiation solver within the RTE-RRTMGP-CPP ray tracer, including smart strategies for sampling radiation sources.Quantifying how 3D radiation changes clouds, surface irradiance and plume dynamics compared to conventional 1D radiation.Co-developing a physics-informed machine-learning denoiser with your Leiden colleague, and evaluating it together with the user committee in operational settings.Publishing your results in leading journals and presenting them at international conferences and to users from the field. You will work hereThe research is embedded within the chair of Meteorology (Meteorology and Air Quality Group (https://www.wur.nl/en/chair-groups/meteorology-and-air-quality)), led by Prof. Vilà-Guerau de Arellano. You will be supervised by Dr.ir. Chiel van Heerwaarden and Dr.ir. Menno Veerman, both at WUR, and by Dr. Ben van Werkhoven at Leiden University. The team is small, open and collaborative, and has a track record of building widely used open-source simulation codes. You will have access to national and European supercomputers (Snellius, LUMI) and dedicated GPU hardware.Your qualitiesYou are curious about how the atmosphere works and enjoy turning physical understanding into working code. You like to collaborate across disciplines and communicate clearly with both physicists and computer scientists.You Also PossessA successfully completed MSc degree in meteorology, physics, applied mathematics, computational science or a related field.Solid programming skills (e.g. C++ and Python); experience with GPU computing (CUDA), high-performance computing or machine learning is a plus.A strong interest in radiative transfer, clouds and atmospheric physics.Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level (https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/table-1-cefr-3.3-common-reference-levels-global-scale). Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here (https://www.wur.nl/en/education-programmes/phd-programme/practical-information/entry-requirements.htm).We offerWageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment (https://www.wur.nl/en/jobs/conditions-of-employment). A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:Partially paid parental leave;working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%;excellent pension scheme.In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.The gross salary for the first year is € 3204,- per month rising to € 4051,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (https://www.universiteitenvannederland.nl/en/collective-labour-agreement-of-dutch-universities) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy (https://wur.service-now.com/esc?id=kb_article&sysparm_article=KB0012172) sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment.Coming from abroadWageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community (https://www.wur.nl/en/jobs/expats-new-international-staff) page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center (https://wcfv.nl/en/home/global/our-services/happy-landing-and-living/) can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account, dual career programs or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.Important informationFor more information about the position, please contact Chiel van Heerwaarden, email: chiel.vanheerwaarden@wur.nl (mailto:chiel.vanheerwaarden@wur.nl)Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jessa Rozema, Corporate Recruiter, via jessa.rozema-stol@wur.nl (mailto:jessa.rozema-stol@wur.nl)Ready to apply?You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.To apply, please send the following documents (max. 3 pages in total ):Complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages);Motivation letter (max. 1 page).The maximum length of the documents must not exceed 3 pages. If it exceeds, applications will not be considered. Additional files such as grades and transcripts are not required during this stage and will not be considered.You can apply until 1 November 2026. The first interviews are scheduled as soon as possibleAdditional Information FormFor this position, you must fill in a mandatory form which will allow us to have a comprehensive view of your qualifications and better assess your fit for it. You can access the form using the link below:PhD: 3D radiation in clouds and wildfire plumes using GPUs and machine learning – Fill out form (https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/EPHLjfLZj8)Your prompt response will ensure that your application continues to move forward in the evaluation process. We assure you that the information provided will be kept confidential and used solely for this application process.Welcome, safe, and valuedWageningen UniversSourced from LinkedIn. Relocantly aggregates public job postings; apply on the original site.