Postdoctoral position: Developing high-resolution permafrost dynamics maps for Northern and Central Alaska regions
Start date: Flexible but with the option of starting as soon as summer 2023. Funding available for 3 years.
Submission deadline: 31 May 2023.
The Permafrost Laboratory at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute seeks a postdoctoral researcher to work on a range of projects that focus on improving our ability to understand and model permafrost response to climate and disturbances. The successful applicant will utilize and modify existing models, e.g., the Geophysical Institute Permafrost Model (GIPL), to improve predictions of the rate and magnitude of permafrost degradation and associated subsidence and land loss for several regions across Alaska. The work will involve a range of modeling conditions including both the built and natural environment inland and along the coast. The study regions to be modeled include the North Slope and Interior of Alaska, and Yukon Territories of Canada There may also be potential for coupling the permafrost model with a coastal erosion model to better understand future rates of permafrost affected coastal change. The successful candidate will also lead the development of several infrastructure hazard maps under the effects of permafrost degradation and coastal erosion.
Tasks
- Develop and parameterize 1-D and 2-D models of the temperature dynamics in the active layer and near-surface permafrost.
- Evaluate and verify developed models against collected in-situ data.
- Participate in remote field trips for collection of data relevant to the model parameterization.
- Develop and address your own set of scientific hypotheses and questions within the bounds of projects at hand.
- Participate in the proposal writing.
- Lead and co-lead publications of peer-reviewed manuscripts on permafrost modeling and related topics.
There will also be potential to participate in several other ongoing research projects and associated field work with the focus of understanding permafrost response to climate and disturbances.
Requirements
- PhD in physics, mathematics, engineering, geophysics, or related field. Some experience with geocryological processes is beneficial.
- Excellent computational skills and working knowledge of MATLAB, FORTRAN, or at least some other programming language (e.g. Python, JavaScript).
- Experience with Linux and parallel computations is a strong asset.
- Some knowledge of ArcGIS, common formats, georeferencing, and mapping toolboxes is desired.
- Understanding calculus, linear algebra, statistics, numerical analysis, differential equations, finite differences, or finite element methods is advantageous.
- Good working knowledge of the written and oral English language.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks is characterized by
- Excellent long-standing research history in permafrost modeling, monitoring, geocryology and Arctic landscape dynamics.
- Collaboration and cooperation with various national and international research groups
- Excellent future career opportunities.
- A diverse group of students and faculty.
Please submit your application to Dmitry Nicolsky (djnicolsky@alaska.edu) and Louise Farquharson (lmfarquharson@alaska.edu) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute Permafrost Laboratory. Please include the following in your application:
- A one-page statement of academic and research goals
- A CV with a list of publications
- Unofficial B.S., M.S., and PhD transcripts with a list of math and physics courses.
Selected candidates will be invited to present their research and then participate in an online interview.
We look forward to hearing from you.
UA is an AA/EO employer and educational institution and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination. As a public, regional, comprehensive university. UAF is committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive organization and strongly encourages women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply. UAF is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.