PhD student in Physical Geography: Remote sensing of ice shelves in East Antarctica

Department of Physical Geography is one of the major departments within the Faculty of Science. The department has approximately 100 employees and educates approximately 1 000 students annually. Our research and education is in Physical Geography, a wide-ranging scientific field dealing with the diverse physical and biological features of Earth, their characteristics, processes, patterns and interactions with humans. We study connected physical, chemical, biological, geological, environmental and social processes and changes in the world's land areas and their water, ice and geological formations, climate systems and ecosystems, in relation to each other and to human societies. We offer a stimulating and friendly environment in a diverse and international institution with research and education at a very high level. More information about us, please visit: The Department of Physical Geography

Project description

The PhD project aims to understand how the Riiser-Larsen ice shelf and neighbouring ice shelves in Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica, are changing in response to ocean and atmosphere warming. The ice shelves are sensitive to climate change and act as a warning system for future sea level change. To achieve this the project will analyse structural and mass changes on inter-annual to decadal time scales. The PhD student will use advanced satellite methods, such as altimetry and interferometry, to develop the products for these analyses. Due to the volume of data, automation using programming and machine learning is expected.

The project is part of the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat’s Antarctic research theme iQ2300 led by Stockholm University. iQ2300 is an international, multi-disciplinary research theme which aims to reduce uncertainties in projections of sea level rise by the year 2300. The project will use data collected from field expeditions and remote sensing on the Dronning Maud Land margin to address key knowledge gaps that limit our ability to model Antarctic ice sheet responses to future climate. The PhD project is based at Stockholm University but includes close collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and is financed by the Swedish National Space Agency.

Qualification requirements

In order to be admitted to postgraduate education, the applicant must have the general and specific entry requirements. The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.

You meet general entry requirements if you have completed a second-cycle degree, or completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

In order to meet the specific entry requirements, and to fulfil the general syllabus for doctoral studies in Physical Geography, the candidate for this position should have acquired a total of at least 240 higher education credits (of which at least 60 at advanced level), or acquired in some alternative way, the equivalent knowledge in the fields of Earth Science, biology-Earth science, Geography, or other relevant natural or engineering scientific disciplines. This program should include independent work totaling at least 30 higher education credits, of which 15 credits are at an advanced level.

Selection

The selection among the eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to benefit from the training. The following criteria will be used to assess this capacity:

• candidates’ documented knowledge of advanced satellite remote sensing
• candidates’ knowledge of computer programming
• analytical and creative thinking
• initiative and independence
• ability to collaborate
• written and oral proficiency in English

Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University.

About the employment

We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a doctoral student, you should primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the employment may include work with education, research and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20 %).

A new employment as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, the employment is then renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact

For more information, please contact Docent Ian Brown, phone: +46 8 16 39 84, ian.brown@natgeo.su.se

Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter, CV and a research plan as well as the attachments requested in the application form. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.