Postdoctoral Researcher in Physical Geography with Focus on the Future of the Greenland Ice Sheet
Description:
Postdoctoral Researcher in Physical Geography with Focus on the Future of the Greenland Ice Sheet Would you like to work studying mass changes of Greenland's ice sheet, supported by competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Do you want an employer that invests in sustainable employee relationships and offers secure, attractive working conditions? We welcome you to apply for a postdoctoral position at Uppsala University. The Department of Earth Sciences is Sweden's most comprehensive academic environment for research and education in geoscience. Here you will find broad expertise that contributes to solutions for important societal challenges. Earth is a dynamic planet that is constantly changing. To understand how our planet works, our researchers seek answers in the field, through laboratory experiments, and advanced models. Our research and education cover a wide range of areas: rocks and minerals, weather and climate, the evolution of life, natural disasters, wind energy and energy, environmental and water engineering, and sustainable development. Our research combines natural sciences and engineering with social sciences and is often interdisciplinary. The department employs over 300 people from more than 30 countries, both in Uppsala and at Campus Gotland. Our six research divisions: Geophysics • Air, Water and Landscape Science • Mineralogy, Petrology and Tectonics • Natural Resources and Sustainable Development • Paleobiology • Wind Energy For more information, see: https://www.uu.se/institution/geovetenskaper The advertised position is within the research program Air, Water and Landscape Science (LUVAL), which brings together research and education in hydrology, meteorology, environmental analysis, and physical geography. Research in physical geography has a main focus on cold environments, with a primary emphasis on glaciological topics, but also other aspects of the cryosphere. Duties The postdoctoral researcher will work on a project funded by the Swedish Space Agency, with the primary aims of creating a new mapping of bedrock topography and ice thickness for the Greenland ice sheet, and simulating the ice sheet's development through 2300. To achieve this, a new inverse modeling-based method will be used that reconstructs the bedrock topography beneath the ice, while also providing a starting point for predictive modeling. Following recent applications on plateaus and valley glaciers in the Arctic and subarctic (see, for example, Frank and Van Pelt, 2024; Van Pelt and Frank, 2025), and an application to all valley glaciers on Earth (Frank et al. 2026), the method will be optimized in this project for use on the Greenland ice sheet, while utilizing the latest high-resolution satellite data products. Ice flow modeling will be conducted using the Parallel Ice Sheet Model (PISM), though machine learning alternatives such as the Instructed Glacier Model (IGM) will also be considered. The project will involve close collaboration with a doctoral student in the same research group at Uppsala University as well as collaboration with international colleagues at Oslo University, Mid Sweden University, the Danish Meteorological Institute, University of Liège, University of Fairbanks, and University of Lausanne. The position includes 20% teaching at the Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, in earth science (physical geography/hydrology) at undergraduate and advanced levels. Qualifications A doctoral degree in glaciology, earth science, computer science, physics, or similar, or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a Swedish doctoral degree in the mentioned subject. The degree must be completed by the time the employment decision is made. Preference should be given to candidates who completed their degree no more than three years ago. In calculating the three-year period, the final application deadline is the starting point. If there are special reasons, such a degree may have been completed earlier. Special reasons include leave due to illness, parental leave, positions of trust within labor organizations, etc. Previous experience with numerical modeling and analysis of the cryosphere, preferably glaciers, is a requirement. The candidate must be able to communicate in spoken and written English at an advanced level, work independently, and work in an international team of researchers with different disciplinary backgrounds. Desirable/Meriting Qualifications Programming skills in Python or similar are valued. Additionally, experience with machine learning and spatial analysis software (e.g., ArcGIS) is meriting. About the Employment The employment is time-limited for 2 years in accordance with central collective agreements. The position is full-time. Start date: November 15, 2026, or by agreement. Work location: Uppsala For information about the position, contact: Ward van Pelt, [email protected] Welcome to apply by September 4, 2026, UFV-PA 2026/2399. Uppsala University is a broad research university with strong international standing. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all 7,500 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of the country's most exciting workplaces. Learn more about our benefits and what it's like to work at Uppsala University https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/ The employment may be subject to security clearance. Security clearance is a prerequisite for employment; applicants must be approved. We decline offers of recruitment and advertising assistance. Applications are received through Uppsala University's recruitment system. Labor representatives: Saco-S - [email protected], Seko - [email protected], ST (OFR/S) - [email protected]
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Overview
- Type
- job
- Status
- active
- Visibility
- public
- City
- Uppsala
- Address
- box 256
- GPS
- 59.8710738, 17.5946002
- Phone
- Published
- 5. 8. 2026
- Edited
- 15. 8. 2026