Postdoctoral Fellow in Modeling of Lightning with AI

9 August 2022 - 1 November 2022

Subject description: Lightning has been observed in warm-based thunderstorms in field campaigns involving aircraft. In the project, an observed thunderstorm will be simulated with a detailed cloud model. AI will be applied to accelerate the representation of branching of plasma channels in lightning flashes. Environmental dependencies of the simulated lightning will be studied.

Work duties: The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included if wished, but up to no more than 10% of working hours. The position includes the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

These tasks will be performed:

• Emulate the detailed treatment of branching in a flash using AI;
• Develop a cloud model further by performing a lab experiment to study ice initiation;
• Simulate two past cases of thunderstorms in USA and Brazil, comparing with coincident observations;
• Predict the impact from various environment factors on the occurrence of lightning simulated in both cases.