cc: Meric Srokosz , lkeigwin@whoi.edu, plemke@awi-bremerhaven.de, ewwo@bas.ac.uk, r.r.dickson@cefas.co.uk, maria.noguer@defra.gsi.gov.uk, mccave@esc.cam.ac.uk, haugan@gfi.uib.no, studhope@glg.ed.ac.uk, B.Turrell@marlab.ac.uk, rwood@metoffice.com, sfbtett@metoffice.com, j.m.slingo@reading.ac.uk, p.j.valdes@rbristol.ac.uk, j.lowe@rhbnc.ac.uk, jym@soc.soton.ac.uk, pc@soc.soton.ac.uk, a.j.watson@uea.ac.uk, k.briffa@uea.ac.uk, m.hulme@uea.ac.uk, ppn@nerc.ac.uk, cg1@mercury.soc.soton.ac.uk, marotzke@dkrz.de date: Fri, 01 Aug 2003 19:22:41 +0100 from: Richard Wood subject: Re: Modelling intercomparison job description to: Peter Challenor Dear All, A few further thoughts on the modelling post, partly inspired by recent email discussions. 1. I think it's important that the modelling subcommittee (MSC) has a strong role in the direction of this work. What we are trying to do (I think) is develop a coordinated, UK-wide modelling effort, which if it is successful will go a fair way towards the ultimate delilverable of RAPID (i.e. 'improving our abilty to quantify the probability and magnitude of future rapid change in climate'). The MSC itself is an important entity in building this 'community' approach, and the existence of the post would provide both a stick to beat the MSC (myself included!) into doing this, and a resource to help it to happen. If it turns out that there are modelling groups participating in the intercomparison, or engaged in closely related research, who are not currently represented on the MSC, I suggest we consider co-opting a representative onto the MSC. The (enlarged) MSC would at all times remain responsible and accountable to the full RAPID SSC. 2. The individual appointed will need a single person for day-to-day management, and will need to be located somewhere where they can talk to other modellers. How these items are decided is tricky. I had imagined that we would try to recruit someone fairly experienced and self-propelled (Meric has suggested RA2 level), who would be able to play an important role in moving things on scientifically. That would make these issues less critical. However we must recognise that such people are in short supply, so we may need to be flexible in our management arrangements depending on who we can get. I certainly think we must make the post appear as attractive as possible when we advertise it (Meric: I will have another look at the advert and may have a couple of suggestions to help this). 3. I understand there could be sensitivities about fair allocation of resources etc. This would be a new way of working for all of us - a much stronger integration of effort across the UK modelling community - and if we go for it we may have to find a compromise between ultimate perceived fairness and getting started in time to deliver something by the end of RAPID (the timeline in the strawman I sent out in May assumed a start date of Oct 03). Ultimately (as I understand it) the SSC as a whole is responsible for the delivery of the stated aims of the programme, through allocation of RAPID resources within the frameworks provided by NERC. We may need to be bold to achieve this. I'm sure Phil and colleagues will be willing to advise on what is possible. Richard -- Richard Wood Manager, Ocean Model Validation and Techniques Met Office Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research London Road Bracknell Berkshire RG12 2SY United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1344 856641 Fax: +44 (0)1344 854898 E-mail: richard.wood@metoffice.com http://www.metoffice.com