PhD position: Extreme precipitation under climate change in tropical South America Wageningen • Wageningen University & Research

Explore the dynamics of extreme precipitation in tropical South America with a fully funded PhD position focused on Mesoscale Convective Systems. Engage in cutting-edge research using high-resolution global climate simulations and collaborate with South American partners. Enjoy excellent benefits, including partially paid parental leave, flexible working hours, and access to campus sports facilities. Join an international team dedicated to climate adaptation and water management improvements. Uncover the reasons why this opportunity is worth considering.

Your job

Do you want to understand how precipitation extremes over tropical South America are changing in a warmer world? Do you like to perform data analysis on large atmospheric datasets? Then we have an exciting PhD position for you.

Extreme precipitation is likely to increase with climate change in large parts of the world. In the tropics, extreme precipitation is often associated with Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCSs); organized systems of deep convective cells that can span 100 kilometres and persist over multiple hours. In tropical South America, 40-60 % of the rainfall can be related to mesoscale convective systems (MCSs). In this project, we aim to assess the frequency, intensity and drivers of MCS over tropical South America, and how these will change in a warmer world. The research is based on high-resolution (~5 by 5 kilometer spatial resolution) global climate simulations for current and future climate from the NextGEMS project. These simulations are novel as they (partly) resolve convection while also capturing the large-scale global circulation. Further into the project, there is the possibility to work with moisture or cloud tracking algorithms, regional models, and validation with in-situ measurements or remote sensing products.
The Meteorology and Air Quality group, where you will work, has strong connections with partners in South America for collaboration and knowledge exchange. The expected outcomes of this project will aid in improving precipitation projections over the region, and can be used for climate adaptation in water management.
Your duties and responsibilities include:

• Analysing large climate datasets to quantify and study mesoscale convective systems in tropical South America
• Use different modelling approaches to understand the processes driving extreme precipitation
• Exchange your work within the MAQ group and the broader scientific community; present your work at seminars and conferences
• Teaching and supervising MSc students
• Following courses in the Wageningen Institute for Environment and Climate Research (WIMEK) Graduate School
• A possible research stay with partners in South America

You will work here
You will be part of the Meteorology and Air Quality group of Wageningen University and Research. You will be supervised by Dr Imme Benedict and Prof. Jordi Vila Gureau de Arrelano (chair group holder).
Your qualities

You are/have:

• A successfully completed – or soon completed - MSc degree in meteorology/atmospheric sciences, or a related field:
• Curiosity to understand precipitation extremes and its driving processes in a changing climate
• Very good programming skills (python or similar) or are willing to obtain these, and you like to work with large datasets
• Enthusiastic, pleasant and intrinsically motivated colleague who takes initiative;

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.
 
We offer you

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms 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 € 2.901,- per month rising to € 3.707,-  in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (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.

Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen 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. We can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, 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
Do you want more information?

For more information about the position, please contact Dr Imme Benedict, Assistant Professor, via email: via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina..

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Edgar Tijhuis, Corporate Recruiter, via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina..

Ready to apply?
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website and upload your CV and motivation as Pdf. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

You can apply until August 4th 2025. The interviews are scheduled for 8th of September 2025.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.
 

We are

Wageningen University & Research
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is ‘To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life’.
We pursue this mission through a synergistic approach between Wageningen University and Wageningen Research Foundation (applied research). Our research focuses on questions within the domains of food, living environment, and society. With approximately 30 locations, 7,700 staff members, 2,500 PhD candidates, and over 13,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is among the world’s leading knowledge institutions in its domain. The integral approach to challenges and the collaboration across various disciplines form the core of the unique Wageningen approach.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves and do not appreciate unasked for services from recruitment agencies. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.