A large amount of moored time series data and shipboard hydrographic data have been collected over the past 25 years in the tropical Pacific and Atlantic Oceans as part of national and international research programs focusing on the ocean’s role in seasonal-to-decadal climate. In addition, an ocean observing system for climate has recently been developed in the Indian Ocean. Specific phenomena of interest include El Niño, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, the Indian Ocean dipole, and tropical Atlantic climate variability. Data from the tropical ocean observing systems are being used to describe variations in circulation and water mass properties; to diagnose the oceanic heat, momentum, and fresh water budgets; and to determine oceanic feedbacks to the atmosphere. Opportunities exist for the interpretation of these measurements through data analysis, modeling, and/or theoretical studies.

 

References

Foltz GR, McPhaden MJ: Geophysical Research Letters 35: L20706, doi:10.1029/2008GL035042, 2008

Nagura M, McPhaden MJ: Journal of Geophysical Research 115: C11026, doi:10.1029/2010JC006423, 2010

 

key words

Atlantic Ocean; Climate variations; Currents (marine); El Niño; Indian Ocean; Ocean temperature; Pacific Ocean; Tropical regions;

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents and non-U.S. citizens

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral and Senior applicants