Post-doctoral position on Early Warning Indicators and Safety Bands of Thwaites Glacier and other major drainage basins in Antarctica

8 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)

Department

Geosciences, Environment, Society

Research Field

Environmental science » Earth science

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Belgium

Application Deadline

1 Feb 2024 - 00:00 (Europe/Brussels)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Offer Starting Date

1 Mar 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Mass loss from the Antarctic Ice Sheet is the main source of uncertainty in projections of future sea-level rise. These uncertainties essentially stem from the fact that some regions, such as Thwaites Glacier, may reach tipping points, defined as (regionally) irreversible mass loss, with a warming climate. The exact timing of when these tipping points might occur remains difficult to assess, allowing for a large divergence in timing of onset and mass loss in model projections. The successful candidate will employ a state-of-the-art ice sheet model to (i) determine what physical processes influence the rate of grounding-line retreat of Thwaites Glacier and the timing of its collapse, to (ii) identify whether Early Warning Indicators may predict the onset of such collapse, and to (iii) map potential safety bands of grounding-line positions where the glacier may still recover or alternatively reach a ‘stable’ state. Finally, the methodology will be transposed to other drainage basins of the Antarctic ice sheet.

Duration: 24 months

Net monthly salary: 2300-2500 € (depending on seniority - this includes social insurance).

Location: Laboratoire de Glaciologie (https://glaciologie.ulb.be/ ), Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium

Applicants should send an email to Frank Pattyn ([email protected] ) (i) a statement of research experience, qualification and interest, (ii) a complete CV including a list of publications, and (iii) the name of two scientists who would agree to send a letter of recommendation. Review of the applications will start 1 February 2024 and the call will remain open until the position is filled.

Requirements

Research Field

Environmental science » Earth science

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

- To have a PhD in glaciology/ice sheet modelling or related field;

- To have published in peer-reviewed international journals;

- To have strong experience in Matlab programming and managing data sets; HPC computing is a plus;

- To have demonstrated good verbal and written communication skills in English;

- To have interest in working in a multidisciplinary team environment;

- Previous experience in ice sheet modelling is an asset.

Specific Requirements

The candidates must not have spent more than 2 years in Belgium over the last 3 years and should not have obtained their PhD more than 6 years before the starting date of the grant.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Additional Information
Benefits

Further benefits are:

- EU Citizens and citizens from countries that have a bilateral social security agreement with Belgium: social security coverage including medical insurance, unemployment benefit, pension, maternity leave and child benefit.

- Non-EU Citizens from countries that have no bilateral social security agreement with Belgium: social security coverage including medical insurance, maternity leave and child benefit.

- Insurance against accidents in the workplace.

- Tax exemption.

- Low-cost private hospitalization insurance.

- On-site services at the ULB: medical centre, university hospital, sports centre, subsidized restaurants, cultural centre, childcare, holiday camps for children, etc.

Additional comments

The environment

Brussels is a lively, well-connected city with a large international community located in the very centre of Europe. The GEMICE group (Geophysics and Modelling of Ice) of the Laboratoire de Glaciologie is specialized in the development and application of numerical ice sheet and ice shelf models, applied to specific glaciological problems, such as grounding lines, ice streams, ice sheet/ice shelf transitions, subglacial lake interconnection, subglacial polythermal conditions etc., as well as continental-scale ice-sheet modelling and projections for future sea level (ISMIP6; IPCC). The Laboratoire de Glaciologie is currently composed of 2 academics, 3 postdocs and 11 PhDs and is involved in several national and international (EU) projects (EU H2020, Horizon Europe, ERC, ...).

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Université libre de Bruxelles

Country

Belgium

City

Brussels

Postal Code

B1050

Street

Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 50

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

City

Brussels

Website

https://glaciologie.ulb.be/

Street

Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 50

Postal Code

B1050

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED