IES Fellows

Itamar
Karbi
(Alumni)

Dr. Rei Chemke, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

Itamar Karbi is a climate scientist whose research combines atmospheric physics with questions of energy sustainability. He earned his BSc in Physics, with a minor in Atmospheric Sciences, from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem before joining the Weizmann Institute of Science, where he completed his MSc and PhD under the supervision of Prof. Rei Chemke. His doctoral research used advanced climate models to investigate how different spatial and temporal scales of midlatitude atmospheric circulation respond to anthropogenic climate change, providing new insights into the mechanisms driving these changes.
Motivated from an early stage by the challenge of climate change, Itamar sought to combine rigorous physics with research that has real world environmental impact. After a brief period in the technology industry, he realized that academic research offered the opportunity to pursue a deeper understanding of fundamental scientific questions. As an IES Fellow, he became part of an interdisciplinary community that broadened his scientific perspective and reinforced the value of collaboration across environmental disciplines.
In October 2026, Itamar will join Princeton University as a Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow at the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, working with Prof. Gabriel Vecchi. There, he will investigate how climate change affects the reliability of electricity systems, with the goal of supporting the development of resilient, low carbon energy infrastructure in a changing climate.

Where are you from?

I am from Tel Aviv, Israel.

What inspired your interest in science, the environment, and sustainability?

From my first encounter with the concept of climate change, I knew I wanted my scientific work to contribute to addressing this global challenge. My academic path has therefore reflected two complementary aspirations: to pursue rigorous, physics based research while also contributing knowledge that can help society respond to the climate crisis.

What brought you to the Weizmann Institute?

After completing my BSc, I spent some time working in the technology industry. During that period, I realized how much I missed academic research and the opportunity to develop a deep understanding of fundamental scientific questions. This realization led me to the Weizmann Institute, where I began an MSc in Physics that gradually evolved into a research career in atmospheric and climate science.

 What was the focus of your research at WIS, and what is the focus of your current research (if you are already a postdoc)?

During my PhD, I investigated how atmospheric circulation has changed, and is projected to continue changing, in response to anthropogenic climate change. My work focused on understanding these changes across different spatial and temporal scales, providing new insights into the dynamics of the climate system.
In October 2026, I will begin a postdoctoral position at Princeton University as a Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow at the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, working with Prof. Gabriel Vecchi. My research will examine how climate driven changes in temperature and wind patterns affect the reliability of electricity systems. As energy grids become increasingly dependent on renewable energy sources while simultaneously facing a changing climate, understanding these interactions is essential for building reliable and climate resilient energy systems.

Why did you want to become an IES Fellow and how has it influenced your research, career, or professional development?

Scientific research often requires intense focus on a specific topic, which can make it easy to lose sight of developments in related fields. I joined the IES Fellowship to broaden my scientific perspective and engage with researchers working on complementary environmental challenges.
The fellowship exceeded my expectations. The interdisciplinary community, professional development opportunities, and many informal discussions and collaborations enriched my PhD experience and played an important role in my scientific and professional growth.

What are your plans and aspirations for the future?

In October 2026, I will begin a postdoctoral position at Princeton University. My long term goal is to advance our understanding of how climate change affects electricity systems and to contribute to the development of reliable, low carbon, and climate resilient energy infrastructure.

To Complete the Picture: Formal background

Itamar Karbi earned his BSc in Physics, with a minor in Atmospheric Sciences, from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He then joined the Weizmann Institute of Science, where he completed an MSc in Physics with research in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences before continuing through the direct PhD track under the supervision of Prof. Rei Chemke. His doctoral research, Projected Changes in the Spatial and Temporal Scales of the Midlatitude Flow, uses climate models to investigate how midlatitude atmospheric circulation responds to anthropogenic climate change. By distinguishing between different spatial and temporal scales of atmospheric circulation, his work has revealed climate change signals that were previously obscured and provided new insights into the physical mechanisms driving these changes.