Postdoc Research Group Pellicciotti: Cryospheric and Land-Surface Modelling of the Pamir Mountains

Your Responsibilities

As part of the Swiss Polar Institute (SPI) Flagship Initiative project PAMIR, we are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join our team and contribute to exciting new research on the cryosphere state and hydrologic functioning of the Pamir Mountains. Working in the Pellicciotti Group at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (https://ist.ac.at/en/research/pellicciotti-group/), you will use the land-surface model Tethys-Chloris to simulate the present-day glacier state, snow processes and hydrology of this complex mountain region, and gain mechanistic insights into the interactions amongst its cryosphere, biosphere and hydrosphere. You will set up the model and prepare meteorological data with which to force it, use it to run simulations on the high-performance computing cluster, and evaluate its performance using in-situ and remote sensing data. There may be opportunities for fieldwork with project partners in Tajikistan. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant contribution to our understanding of the only major mountain region in the world where glaciers still have stable or positive mass balances. The position will be supervised by Francesca Pellicciotti and work closely with Thomas Shaw and Catriona Fyffe at ISTA as well as a large international team. The position is for a duration of 2 years (with possibility of a third year extension), ideally with a start date in late spring/early summer 2024.

Your Profile

• PhD degree and expert knowledge in physical hydrology/geography, glaciology, (geo-) physics, environmental engineering, environmental sciences, atmospheric sciences, or a related field within the past 5 years
• Previous experience in computer modelling and scripting languages (e.g. Matlab, Python, IDL, R) is indispensable
• Experience with remote sensing, large datasets and high-performance computing is an asset, as is experience of fieldwork in remote locations and glacier travel.
• A proven ability to conduct independent research, as well as to work effectively as a member of a research team
• Ability to solve problems creatively and carefully
• Excellent command of English (working language)
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational and time management skills

Application documents: Those interested should send a full CV (with references and a list of publications) and a motivation letter.

To submit your application please email: Francesca Pellicciotti (francesca.pellicciotti@ista.ac.at) and Thomas Shaw (thomas.shaw@ista.ac.at). Please use the job position name above as your subject line.