Roland Young

Roland Young is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physics at the University of Aberdeen, within the School of Natural and Computing Sciences. He previously served as Assistant Professor (later Associate Professor) at United Arab Emirates University (2019–2023), a CNRS Research Scientist at the Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique in Paris (2017–2019), and a Postdoctoral Research Assistant at the University of Oxford (2009–2017).

• MA (Cantab), Natural Sciences (Astrophysics), University of Cambridge, 2005
• DPhil, Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics, University of Oxford, 2009

His research centers on planetary atmospheric dynamics, with a focus on Mars and Jupiter. He employs climate modeling, data assimilation techniques, and geophysical fluid dynamics—including rotating tank laboratory experiments—to study atmospheric circulation, dust storms, jet structures, and chaotic weather systems. His work is deeply connected with space missions such as the Emirates Mars Mission and ExoMars.

The recent publications show a strong trend toward Martian atmospheric dynamics using data from the Emirates Mars Mission, particularly in dust storm analysis, thermal tides, and data assimilation. Earlier works emphasize fundamental fluid dynamics using rotating annulus experiments and modeling of Jupiter's atmosphere. The research spans from laboratory-scale analogs to full planetary climate systems, unified by a focus on energy cycles, predictability, and instability mechanisms.

He is recognized with several professional fellowships:

• Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (FRAS)
• Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society (FRMetS)
• Member of the Institute of Physics (MInstP)

Roland Young actively supervises MSc and PhD students and has led research groups, including the Planetary Science group at the National Space Science and Technology Center in the UAE. He collaborates internationally with institutions in the UK, France, USA, and the UAE. His work integrates high-performance computing, observational data, and theoretical modeling to advance understanding of planetary climates.

He leads or has led research on:

• Mars data assimilation using the LMD Mars GCM and LETKF
• Modeling of Jupiter’s zonal jets and cloud dynamics
• Rotating annulus experiments as analogs for planetary atmospheres
• Predictability and chaos in geophysical flows