The Mass2Ant project focuses on assessing dynamics that affect east Antarctica's surface mass balance at different spatial and temporal scales in order to improve our understanding of Antarctica in a changing climate and increase the confidence in future projections.
The selected PhD candidate will work within the international Mass2Ant project, focusing on using multi-source remote sensing in combination with snow models to establish links between local, regional, and large-scale processes to determine the origin of the variability of the surface mass balance. He/she will also participate in Mass2Ant field campaigns in east Antarctica to collect in-situ data on spatio-temporal variations in SMB.

Applicants should have
• an MSc degree in remote sensing, meteorology, Earth system science, or a related field.
• ability to participate in (two) Antarctic field campaigns.
• excellent communication skills demonstrated through a well-written article or thesis, a public presentation or personal blog.
• written and spoken proficiency in the English language.
• experience with data analysis, programming and/or numerical modelling.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

TU Delft offers an attractive, customisable compensation and benefits package, including a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. An International Children’s Centre offers day care, before- and after-school care and an international primary school. Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. Please visit graduateschool.tudelft.nl/ for more information.

For more information about this position, please contact Stef Lhermitte, phone: +32 (0)498569351, e-mail: s.lhermitte@tudelft.nl. Your application should include (a) a CV, (b) a motivation letter, including possible start date and the names and contact information of at least two references (max. 2 pages), and (c) copies of degree manuscripts and course/grade transcripts. Please refer to vacancy number CITG17-18 in your application. Applications will be reviewed in August, and interviews will be held soon thereafter. The appointment will have a start date as soon as possible. Please e-mail your application by 15 August 2017 to Stef Lhermitte, Recruitment-CiTG@tudelft.nl.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology (the TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. The TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At the TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. The TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

Civil Engineering & Geosciences

The Department of Geoscience and Remote Sensing conducts a research programme in the disciplines of geodesy and remote sensing, natural geophysics, and climate and atmospheric sciences. It focuses on the interrelation between new observational techniques and applications in engineering and geosciences, including the development of ground-based, airborne, and space-borne methods and models. The department has an internationally leading role in research related to Earth-oriented space research, satellite remote sensing, gravity field modelling, natural hazards, geodynamics and climate studies.

EarthMapps research team under supervision of Stef Lhermitte focuses on opportunities at the intersection of remote sensing and land-surface models. More specifically, it concentrates on the use of multi-source remote sensing to improve our understanding of atmoshere-snow/ice interactions in order to improve their representation in land-atmosphere models. Technologically, we work on developing and integrating innovative methodologies to assess the Earth's surface properties, mainly snow/ice, and to understand their complex spatio-temporal response to climate.