The Institute for Marine and Atmospheric research (IMAU) is looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to work on remote sensing of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. This work is part of a project that aims to improve our understanding of the effects of surface melt in Antarctica.
Surface melt is changing the surface and near-surface of the Antarctic ice sheet, by increasing its density and Temperature, and by decreasing its porosity. In doing so, it can promote meltwater ponding, hydrofracturing, and the formation of thick, impermeable ice slabs. All these processes can destabilize large floating ice shelves, leading to increased sea-level rise.

At IMAU, we study Antarctic surface melt and the near-surface using regional climate models and in-situ observations. Your task is to complement this work with remote sensing, developing new observational techniques (e.g., from MODIS, CryoSat-2, QuikSCAT) and integrate them with models and in-situ observations. Your work will lead to enhanced knowledge of the Antarctic ice sheet surface, to improved estimates of current meltwater production, and it will help to improve the representation of the ice-sheet surface in climate models. You will work in close collaboration with dr. Peter Kuipers Munneke, dr. Bert Wouters and prof. Michiel van den Broeke (IMAU), and with dr. Stef Lhermitte (TU Delft).

We are looking for an enthusiastic, curious and collaborative candidate with a (near-)completed (at the start of your appointment) doctorate (PhD) in Earth Sciences, Physics, Geophysics, or another relevant area. A strong background in remote sensing analysis is required. Experience with ice-sheet remote sensing is useful but not required. You have demonstrable skills in programming and working with large data sets. You have good English language skills and a track record of relevant peer-reviewed publications.

This is an appointment of 1.0 FTE for the duration of three years . A reduced appointment (e.g., 0.8 FTE) is negotiable. The minimum gross salary is €3,255 and the maximum gross salary is €4,978 (scale 10/11 of the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities) per month depending on previous qualifications and experience, at a full-time employment. Besides that, you will receive a holiday allowance of 8 % and a year-end bonus of 8.3 %. Utrecht University also has an appealing package of terms of employment, including the choice for a good balance between work and private (a good arrangement for leave, among other things), possibilities for development and an excellent pension scheme. More information on working at Utrecht University can be found here.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability. 

The city of Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, with a charming old centre and an internationally oriented culture that is strongly influenced by its century-old university. Utrecht city has been consistently ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the Netherlands, with an extensive bicycling infrastructure. There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, and an extremely rich cultural life in the city and beyond. Utrecht has excellent and fast domestic transport options by public transport and by car. Internationally, Utrecht provides fast train connections to Germany, France, Belgium and the UK, and it is located at only 30 minutes from Schiphol, one of the largest airports in Europe with many direct connections.

The Faculty of Science consists of six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information and Computing Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry and Mathematics. The Faculty is home to 6,000 students and nearly 1,500 staff and is internationally renowned for the quality of its research. The Faculty's academic programmes reflect developments in today's society.

The Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research Utrecht (IMAU) offers a unique research and teaching environment, in which the fundamentals of the climate system are studied. Research is organized in five themes: Atmospheric Dynamics, Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry, Coastal and Shelf Sea Dynamics, Ice and Climate and Oceans and Climate. In 2017, IMAU research quality and impact were qualified as 'world leading' by an international visitation committee. Currently, IMAU employs 15 faculty members and 10 support staff and some 20 Postdocs and 20 PhD candidates.

The Ice and Climate group at IMAU is an inspiring, high-quality and versatile research group focusing on ice sheets, sea level, and climate. The group is world-leading in modelling of the ice sheet surface including firn, and maintains a dedicated network of automatic weather stations. Currently, our research group has 5 staff members, 7 Postdocs and 6 PhD candidates. For this project, we encourage and provide financial support for visits to conferences, workshops and summer schools, and we promote national and international exchange visits.