Uppsala University, Department of Earth Sciences

The Department of Earth Sciences is one of the most complete such academic departments in Europe. Our research focuses on subjects that range from the Earth’s core to the atmosphere, on scales from submicroscopic structures in minerals to the formation of mountains and oceans. We have teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels. Our courses offer a wide range within the geoscience area and several of the department"s programs have received the highest rating in evaluations by the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education (Högskoleverket) and the Swedish Higher Education Authority (Universitetskanslersämbetet). 

The successful candidate will join the research programme Air, Water and Landscape Science, Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, Sweden. The programme includes research in Hydrology, Meteorology, Physical Geography, and Environmental Assessment. The research in Physical Geography is focused on topics within climate and environmental sciences. The research group Ice, Climate, and Environment (ICE) has a main interest in cold environments, with a primary focus on glaciological topics, but also other aspects of the cryosphere.

Project description: Glaciers outside the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are at present, despite their small volume (<1 % of total global ice volume), the main contributor to sea level rise. Assessing the impact of glaciers on sea level in a future climate requires detailed information on the present-day thickness distribution and volume. This not only provides direct information of fresh water contained in glaciers, it also provides important initial conditions for simulations of future glacier evolution.

The aims of this project are to:

1) estimate the present-day volume and thickness of all glaciers on the globe, and

2) project the future glacier contribution to sea level rise. To achieve this, an established thickness inversion method will be adapted for large-scale applications.

First, the method will be used to estimate the current thickness distribution and volume of all >200,000 glaciers contained in the Randolph Glacier Inventory. A range of remote sensing and in situ observations of surface conditions and ice thickness will be employed as input and/or for model calibration. In a next step, the future glacier evolution will be simulated for a selection of glaciers and results will be upscaled to all glaciers worldwide to assess the 21st century sea level rise contribution.

This project is funded by the Swedish Research Council and will happen in collaboration between Uppsala University, Stockholm University, and Oslo University.

Requirements & merits: We seek a highly motivated candidate with an MSc or equivalent degree in glaciology, physical geography, Earth Sciences or similar (formally, four years of university study including a minimum of one year at advanced level are required). Previous experience with modelling / analysis of the cryosphere, preferably glaciers, is required. Additionally, experience with remote sensing of the cryosphere is desired. Programming and scripting skills in MATLAB, Python or similar, and familiarity with spatial analysis software (e.g. ArcGIS) are merits.

Candidates are expected to be able to communicate easily in oral and written English, work independently and in an international team of researchers with different disciplinary backgrounds.

The position is full-time for four years. The PhD student shall primarily devote her/his time to own research studies. Other departmental work, such as educational or administrative can be part of the position (max 20%). The applicant must be eligible for PhD studies. Priority is given to those who are deemed to show the greatest aptitude for a successful completion of graduate studies.

Application: The application should include a 2-page statement of research interest and motivation for applying for this PhD position. More specifically, how the applicant’s research interests are related to the PhD topic, which is broadly defined above, and how the applicant’s qualifications meet the required qualifications. The application should also include a CV/resume, verified list of course grades and contact details for at least two reference persons. If available, a Master thesis and letters of recommendation can also be attached. Please note that applications can only be accepted via the web interface linked below.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines http://regler.uu.se/?languageId=1.

Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students.

Starting date: 01-03-2021 or as otherwise agreed.

Type of employment: Temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7.

Scope of employment: 100 %

For further information about the position please contact: Dr. Ward van Pelt, +46(0)18 4712524, ward.van.pelt@geo.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 15 January 2021, UFV-PA 2020/4936.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? If so, you will find a lot of information about working and living in Sweden at www.uu.se/joinus. You are also welcome to contact International Faculty and Staff Services at ifss@uadm.uu.se.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment 2020-03-01
Salary Fixed salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100 %
City Uppsala
County Uppsala län
Country Sweden
Reference number UFV-PA 2020/4936
Union representative
  • ST/TCO, tco@fackorg.uu.se
  • Seko Universitetsklubben, seko@uadm.uu.se
  • Saco-rådet, saco@uadm.uu.se
Published 18.Dec.2020
Last application date 15.Jan.2021 11:59 PM CET

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