Open Postdoctoral position, faculty mentor Da Yang

The Department of Geophysics at Stanford University invites applications for a postdoctoral scholar to join the Convection & Climate Group. Our research seeks to uncover the physical principles governing the organization of moist convection and atmospheric circulations across scales, including convective aggregation, tropical cyclones, the Madden–Julian Oscillation, and atmospheric rivers. We combine theory, observations, a hierarchy of numerical models, and machine-learning methods to understand their formation, dynamics, and predictability. The successful candidate will have substantial freedom to develop an independent research direction connected to one or more of the following themes:

1. Convective organizations across scales:

• What physical processes lead to convective organizations across scales?

• What is the minimum recipe to simulate convective self-aggregation, tropical cyclones, and the Madden-Julian Oscillation?

• What is the source of predictability for the Madden-Julian Oscillation?

2. The buoyancy effect of water vapor:

• How does vapor buoyancy affect the momentum balance and large-scale circulations in Earth's and other planetary atmospheres? 

• How does vapor buoyancy regulate clouds and Earth's energy balance? 

• Can vapor buoyancy delay the runaway greenhouse effect and help stabilize climate, in the context of paleoclimate and planetary atmospheres?

3. Atmospheric rivers:

• What environmental factors control the occurrence frequency of atmospheric rivers? 

• What is the predictability source for atmospheric rivers at the sub-seasonal timescale?

The successful candidate will work closely with Professor Da Yang and will also have opportunities to collaborate with colleagues at Stanford, NCAR, PNNL, and beyond. Research support is provided by NSF, DOE, private foundations, and Stanford University. The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of renewal for up to two additional years, subject to satisfactory progress and funding availability. 

The expected pay for this position is the Stanford University required minimum for all postdoctoral scholars appointed through the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the qualifications of the selected candidate, budget availability, and internal equity.  The FY27 minimum is $79,056.

Exceptionally strong candidates will also be encouraged and supported in applying for competitive postdoctoral fellowships at Stanford, including:

• Thompson Postdoctoral Fellowship: https://geophysics.stanford.edu/thompson-postdoctoral-fellowship

• Stanford Science Fellowship: https://stanfordsciencefellows.stanford.edu/apply

• Stanford Energy Postdoctoral Fellowship: https://energypostdoc.stanford.edu/

• Data Science Fellowship: https://datascience.stanford.edu/programs/data-science-fellows

Responsibilities:

• Develop testable hypotheses to advance our understanding of atmospheric convection, dynamics, and/or climate change.

• Conduct numerical simulations and analyze observations to test the hypotheses.

• Present research findings at conferences and seminars.

• Publish results in high-quality, peer-reviewed journals.

We will begin reviewing applications on September 15, 2026, and the position will remain open until filled. If you have any questions regarding this position, please reach out to Prof. Da Yang at dayang@stanford.edu.