A researcher checks the GVR antennae on a cold, crisp day at the ACRF site in Barrow, Alaska. The radiometer is inside the insulated box beneath the antenna; the data is collected and displayed on the computer inside the instrument shelter. (Larger image.)

To provide more accurate ground-based measurements of water vapor in extremely arid environments, three types of 183.3-GHz radiometers operated simultaneously in February and March at the ACRF North Slope of Alaska site in Barrow. The 183.3-GHz radiometers are part of a new generation of ground-based instruments designed to measure sky radiances in a frequency region of the microwave spectrum that is highly sensitive to the presence of very small amounts of water vapor. Therefore, they are especially useful during the dry arctic winter, when precipitable water vapor amounts are often less than 4 mm. Measurements gathered by the three radiometers will contribute valuable information to the data set collected during the 3-week Radiative Heating in Underexplored Bands Campaign (RHUBC), which began on February 22 and concluded on March 14.

The G-Band Vapor Radiometer (GVR) has been operating in Barrow since April 2005. Developed by Prosensing, Inc. under a Department of Energy (DOE) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant, the GVR measures sky radiances from four double sideband channels centered at ±1, ±3, ±7, and ±14 GHz around the 183.31-GHz water-vapor line. Data collected by the GVR data are routinely available for download from the Data Archive.

Joining the GVR, a Ground-based Scanning Radiometer (GSR) began operating at Barrow on February 16. Developed by the Center for Environmental Technology at the University of Colorado, the GSR is a 29 channel scanning radiometer that measures radiance in the frequency band from 50 to 400 GHz, providing information about water vapor, temperature, and clouds. In addition to contributing to the RHUBC data set, the GSR will operate until in the middle of July to demonstrate its capability for long term unattended operation, and to study the spectral response of the channels to a wide range of conditions.

The third and newest radiometer, called a MP183A radiometer, began continuous operations from ACRF’s Barrow site on February 18. Developed by Radiometrics Corporation under another DOE SBIR grant, the MP183A provides radiometric observations at 15 frequencies ranging from 170 to 183.3 GHz. Data obtained by the MP183A during the RHUBC deployment will be available in the field campaign section of the Data Archive. Continuous data collected from baseline instrumentation at the ACRF site in Barrow will be used to supplement the analysis.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is seeking a postdoctoral research associate to work on a project that investigates (1) the role of entropy in shaping earth’s climate and climate change, and (2) macroscopic principles such as the maximum entropy production principle that govern the weather/climate systems. This position requires a Ph.D. in atmospheric science or related field and experience in climate models, especially energy balance models. Familiarity with radiation transfer, satellite data, and cloud physics is highly desirable as well as the ability to run/analyze climate models of different levels of complexities and compare simulation results with observations (e.g., satellite data).

For more information on this position, please contact Dr. Yangang Liu at lyg@bnl.gov.

Data from the recent deployment of the ARM Mobile Facility are featured in the February issue of GEWEX News.

The February 2007 issue (Vol. 17, No. 1) of GEWEX News features early results from special observing periods of the African Monsoon Mutidisciplinary Analysis, including data obtained by the ARM Mobile Facility (AMF). The AMF was stationed in the central Sahel from January through December 2006, with the primary facility at the Niamey airport, and an ancillary site in Banizoumbou. The AMF recorded a major dust storm that passed through the area in March, and combined with simultaneous satellite observations, allowed scientists to study the effects of dust on the radiant energy budget of an atmospheric column.

The Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California in San Diego invites applications to fill one or more positions at the assistant, associate (tenured) or full professor (tenured) levels in fields related to the physical, chemical or biological basis of natural and anthropogenic climate change. We seek an interdisciplinary scientist and educator to establish a vigorous research program and to provide intellectual leadership in climate related issues to the broader Scripps community of scientists.

The successful candidate will be expected to teach graduate level courses, both in the general area of climate sciences as well as in specialized areas of research, and will be encouraged to participate in undergraduate teaching at UC San Diego. The position requires a PhD degree and a competitive record of publication consistent with opportunity, as well as evidence of the ability to conduct and fund an active research program and, for more senior candidates, of the ability to mentor graduate students and junior colleagues.

Review of applications will begin December 21, 2006, and will continue until positions are filled. Applicants should send a letter including descriptions of their teaching experience, research interests, a list of publications, and the names of at least five potential referees to:

Chair, Climate Sciences Search Committee
Department of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography

University of California, San Diego
9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla CA 92093-0208 USA

The American Geophysical Union (AGU) is in search of a public affairs manager to work with members and policy professionals in other societies to achieve AGU’s long-term goals. The responsibilities of the AGU public affairs manager will include the following:

• establish relationships with individuals in the U.S. legislative and executive branches of government so that policy makers turn to AGU as a valuable and authoritative resource for scientific input to the decision process
• monitor legistlation, regulation, and federal budgets
• assist in providing appropriate expertise and testimony from the AGU community
• develop communication mechanisms and vehicles that help members understand how they can effectively participate in the development of public policy.

The successful candidate will have an advanced degree in discipline related to the earth and space studies, related work experience, excellent communication skills with a demonstrated ability to translate scientific material easily and effectively for an educated public. The position is located at AGU headquarters in Washington, D.C.

To apply, send a letter of interest, resume, and salary requirements to AGU’s HR department via email to resumes@agu.org or fax +1.202.777.7390.

This summer’s Gordon Research Conference, “Radiation and Climate,” will be held at Colby-Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire and will take place July 29 - August 3. The chairs for this year’s conference are Bill Collins and Phil Russell, and the vice-chairs are Qiang Fu and Christian Jakob. The theme of the fifth Gordon Research Conference on Radiation and Climate is “Integrating multiscale measurements and models for key climate questions.” The meeting will feature lectures, posters, and discussion regarding these issues. The meeting will focus on insights from new types of satellite and in situ data and from new approaches to modeling processes in the climate system.

More information about this meeting is located under the main GRC website.