Postdoc Position: Glacier lake-ice dynamics in the Himalaya

Join our international team at Utrecht University's Physical Geography department as a postdoctoral researcher in Mountain Hydrology. This 2-year postdoc position offers an exciting opportunity to advance our understanding of glacier dynamics and enhance the accuracy of mass loss predictions from the lake-terminating glaciers.

Your job

You will play a central role in our research on Himalayan glaciers, with a specific focus on lake-terminating glaciers. You will use a state-of-the-art modelling, remote sensing, and field measurements to investigate calving behaviour of lake-terminating glaciers and additional glacial mass loss attributed to the formation of proglacial lakes. You will assist in a field campaign to the Himalayas, where you will be gathering essential data on glacier thickness, surface properties, and lake bathymetry, providing vital ground-truthing for the model. Utilising the UFEMISM ice sheet model, you will simulate a chosen lake-terminating glacier in the Himalayas and validate the outcome using in-situ and remote sensing data. The position offers you a close collaboration with colleagues from the Institute for Marine and Atmospheric research Utrecht (IMAU) and various other international groups.

Your qualities

To be considered for this position you must have the following qualifications:

• a PhD in glaciology, geosciences, or a related field in environmental sciences within the past five years;
• affinity with numerical modelling, preferably glacier dynamic modelling;
• previous field experience, ideally glaciological and with ability and willingness to conduct fieldwork in challenging conditions;
• experience with remote sensing;
• proven ability to conduct independent research, as well as to work effectively as member of a research team;
• excellent command of English (working language);
• excellent communication, interpersonal, organisational and time management skills.

Our offer

We offer:

• a position for one year, with an extension to two years upon a successful assessment in the first year;
• a gross monthly salary between €3,226 and €5,090 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU); 
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus; 
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU. 

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

About us

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 strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

The team of the department of Physical Geography excels in research and education on BSc, MSc and PhD level. We research processes, patterns and dynamics of Earth’s systems from the mountains to the sea, and the interaction in between. This knowledge is essential for the sustainable management of our planet and to guarantee the availability of resources for the next generations. We are a lively department that hosts an active early career community (PhD candidates, researchers and lecturers). We organise a warm welcome for every new member.

More information

For more information, please contact Dr Faezeh M. Nick via f.maghaminick@uu.nl or Professor Walter Immerzeel via w.w.immerzeel@uu.nl.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Apply now

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation, via the ‘apply now’ button.

The interviews are on 22 and 23 May. The first round can be online via MS Teams. The preferred starting date is before September 2024.

The application deadline is 11 May 2024.