Dr Andrew Klekociuk
Dr Andrew Klekociuk. Photo: Glenn Jacobson

Dr Andrew Klekociuk: BSc(Hons) PhD

Research interests

I grew up in Tasmania, and studied at the University of Tasmania, where I gained a PhD in physics in 1991. My research thesis in radioastronomy was entitled ‘Timing Observations of the Vela Pulsar PSR0833-45'. In 1987, prior to completing my PhD, I joined the Australian Antarctic Division as a research physicist, and have remained in full time employment with the Division ever since. In 1988 I wintered at Macquarie Island, where I maintained the Upper Atmospheric Physics observatory and collected data for a research project on pulsating aurorae. Following this I was involved with three field campaigns to study pulsating aurorae and auroral energetics, which involved stints at Mawson (1990–91), Macquarie Island (1991–92) and Kotezbue, Alaska (1992).

From 1994 to 2014 I led a collaboration between the Antarctic Division and the University of Adelaide that developed and established a sophisticated LIDAR (light detection and ranging) facility at Davis station in Antarctica for the study of atmospheric processes and climate. From 2001 to 2012, the Davis LIDAR measured atmospheric density, temperature and aerosol characteristics from 5 to 95km altitude. The instrument is currently being re-tasked for new studies of cloud and aerosol processes that are expected to start in 2018. My research with this instrument centred on interpretation of the measurements in the context of describing basic atmospheric processes and their relationship with global climate. This work also involved five summer expeditions to Davis.

During my work with the Davis LIDAR, I helped to establish a long-term program of in-situ ozone measurements at Davis using ozonesondes. These measurements are an important part of Australia’s research contribution to protecting the ozone layer. Out of this work I helped to develop the chemistry-climate modelling capability of the Australian Community Climate and Earth System Simulator (ACCESSS), and this has led to Australia’s participation in the Chemistry-Climate Model Initiative (CCMI), which is an inter-comparison of leading-edge climate models.

Current projects

My current research interest are in three areas:

  • Firstly, through climate modelling for CCMI I am leading an assessment of the sensitivity of Antarctic climate to changes in atmospheric ozone concentrations. This is being done under Australian Antarctic Science (AAS) project 4012.
  • Secondly, I am leading the investigation of ozone variability in East Antarctica through AAS project 4293.
  • Thirdly, I am assisting with the study of clouds and aerosols in the Southern Ocean under AAS project 4292. In this work, I helped to develop a new LIDAR system for the Australian Antarctic Division, and was involved with its installation and operation at Macquarie Island during 2016.

International representation/collaborations

  • Active participant in the Ozone Science Group of Australian and New Zealand ozone science and policy experts, and the international Chemistry-Climate Model Initiative (CCMI).
  • Reviewer for the World Meteorological Organisation/United Nations Environment Programme Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion.
  • Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research — Current Member of 1 Expert Group (Antarctic Climate Change and the Environment) and Co-chair of 1 Action Group (Polar Atmospheric Chemistry at the Tropopause).

Related links

Selected Publications

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