Would you please post this open position announcement on cryolist. Many thanks, Nadine
Vacancy for a PhD student in Mountain Climatology/Glaciology
Starting date: January 1st or as soon as possible
We have an open position (3+1 year) for one PhD student at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, Department of Geosciences, Physical Geography Unit (http://www.unifr.ch/geoscience/geographie) within the topic of:
Precipitation/accumulation processes in high-mountain cryospheric environments
by means of climate data products, models and field observations and with links to climate change impacts and adaptation research.
Understanding the evolution of the precipitation regime in high-mountain regions is key for the assessment of future changes of the high-mountain cryosphere and thus for the development of water resources and changing risks in these regions. The temporal and spatial scarcity of reliable data records, however, limits related studies. Combining knowledge and methods from atmospheric and cryospheric sciences has a great potential to significantly improve our knowledge on high-mountain cryospheric regimes with focus on precipitation processes.
The successful candidate is supposed to advance in this challenging interface of atmosphere-cryosphere research, and to strengthen in particular the atmospheric part. The open PhD position will be well embedded in ongoing research activities at our unit (particularly the Alpine Cryosphere and Geomorphology Group), while focusing on the following main objectives:
· Improving the understanding of precipitation and snow and ice accumulation processes in high –mountain regions (Alps, Himalayas, Andes) and the impacts on the cryosphere
· Evaluation of climate data products (in particular precipitation, snow) in high-mountain regions and development of dedicated approaches and methods for their use in high-mountain cryospheric research.
· Analyses of the evolution of the precipitation and cryospheric regime in high-mountain regions at the local and regional scale, in the context of impacts for the environment and societies
It is further expected that the successful candidate will participate in teaching activities at the Department of Geosciences (BSc and MSc level).
Applicants should have a Diploma or MSc degree in atmospheric or environmental sciences, geography, hydrology or in a closely related field. Experience and skills in processing large (climate) datasets (e.g. NetCDF) and numerical modeling is required; skills in fieldwork and mountaineering are an asset.
We encourage applications from scientifically motivated, independent and creative individuals with interests in interdisciplinary research, and which enjoy working in a team. Good oral and written communication skills in English are expected. Knowledge of German and/or French will be considered an advantage.
The Department of Geosciences offers an interdisciplinary, international work environment within the bilingual (German/French) University of Fribourg, Switzerland, situated close to the Fribourg Prealps and the nearby lakes of the Dreiseenland. Our geography unit has a strong, internationally recognized expertise in the monitoring and modelling of physical processes of the Alpine cryosphere with a focus on climate change impacts and adaptations, including the human dimension.
Please send your application including cover letter, statement of research interest, CV, relevant diploma(s), an example of your own scientific writing (if available) and the names and contact details of 2-3 potential references in one pdf-file to Nadine Salzmann (nadine.salzmann@unifr.ch). Review of applications will begin on November 12, 2015, and continue until the position is filled (after November 30, 2015, please check on http://www.unifr.ch/geoscience/geographie/en/general-information/open-position whether the position is still open).
For questions please contact Dr. Nadine Salzmann (nadine.salzmann@unifr.ch).
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Nadine Salzmann
Alpine Cryosphere and Geomorphology Group
Department of Geosciences
University of Fribourg
CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
phone: +41 26 300 92 50
fax: +41 26 300 97 46
