A position as postdoctoral researcher (1½ – 2 years depending on the amount of funding received) in ice core related climate research is available at the Centre for Ice and Climate (CIC), a Danish National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence located at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen. The work is a part of the European Union FP7 program Ice2sea, of which CIC is a partner. The postdoctoral researcher will be expected to participate in the International Polar Year deep ice core drilling project, NEEM, on the Greenland Ice Sheet, and/or in field work related to the specific project.

Project description

The Greenland ice sheet is currently reacting to global warming by a net loss of ice. During the last 15 years, air temperatures over Greenland have increased by 1.5°C compared to the 1951-1980 period. Slight thickening appears to be happening in the central regions that appear to be caused by increased accumulation, while more dramatic thinning has occurred at low elevations in the coastal margins. However, there are still significant uncertainties about whether the thickening at high-elevations can be attributed to a long-term imbalance in the ice sheet, or to recent changes in the accumulation rate.

To be able to predict future trends in ice sheet mass balance, our models need to be able to reliably reproduce patterns of accumulation of the present day and recent past. To achieve this, we need to know these spatio-temporal patterns with better confidence than we do at present: This study is a key element of the Ice2sea project. The centre's contribution to the project is focused on establishing a consistent record of time dependent accumulation changes over Greenland that can be used to improve the climate dependent mass balance parameterization in regional climate models and in ice sheet models.

For this purpose, data from a large number of existing shallow and deep ice cores from the Greenland ice sheet must be compiled. To complement both the geographical spread and the temporal coverage of the ice cores already available, additional shallow ice cores will have to be collected, analysed and integrated into the compilation. Field work in Greenland to drill the shallow cores is therefore a natural part of the project. The records of accumulation rate should then be interpreted by using snow firnification models and ice flow models to provide spatio-temporal patterns of accumulation rate. Finally, these results could be incorporated into models of the ice sheet mass balance.

The applicant

The applicant should preferably have a background within geophysics or related fields. Experience with ice core drilling, handling and analysis is preferable. Also, experience with interpretation of ice core accumulation data, e.g. in a ice flow modelling context, is an advantage.

The position may imply a small amount of teaching at the university.

Any potential applicant is invited to apply irrespective of age, sex, race, religion or ethnic background.

Terms

Terms of appointment and payment will be according to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State). Typical monthly salary is approx. 28,000-32,000 Danish kroner plus full benefits depending on the amount of relevant experience.

An attractive tax scheme is – under certain conditions – available for postdoctoral researchers that have not worked in Denmark within the last 3-5 years.

Application

The application should contain the following material:

• Cover letter describing how the applicant's research profile and interests fit the project plan of the Centre for Ice and Climate (max. two pages). The project plan can be obtained here .
• CV including list of publications
• Names and contact information of 3 referees
• Grade transcripts from Master and PhD courses
• Documentation of obtained PhD degree, if possible including the evaluation of the PhD work/thesis

The application should consist of a single PDF file and should be sent by e-mail to ice_and_climate@gfy.ku.dk before February 2, 2009, noon CET.

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the above-mentioned requirements. Upon receipt, a note of confirmation will be provided within two workdays. Applicants will not be informed of the identity of the other applicants or see their evaluations.