PhD Candidate in Physical Geography with a focus on Ice Sheet Modeling

Do you want to work on studying the future of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, supported by competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Do you want an employer that invests in sustainable employee engagement and offers secure, favorable working conditions? Welcome to apply for a PhD position at Uppsala University.

The Department of Earth Sciences is Sweden's largest and most versatile institution of its kind with a unique breadth. We currently have about 300 employees. Our activities are interdisciplinary and combine natural sciences and engineering with social sciences. We have research programs in air, water, and landscape science; geophysics; natural resources and sustainable development; mineralogy, petrology, and tectonics; paleobiology and wind energy. By studying the history of the Earth, we understand how the planet has developed and how our pursuit of sustainable development can benefit from this knowledge.Read more here. (https://www.uu.se/institution/geovetenskaper)

The advertised position is within the research program of air, water, and landscape science (link (https://www.uu.se/institution/geovetenskaper/forskning/luft--vatten--och-landskapslara/naturgeografi)) which gathers research and education in hydrology, meteorology, environmental analysis, and physical geography. The research in this area (https://www.uu.se/institution/geovetenskaper/forskning/luft--vatten--och-landskapslara/naturgeografi) has a primary interest in cold environments, focusing mainly on glaciological topics, but also other aspects of the cryosphere.

This PhD project will be part of SEAL (https://www.gu.se/seal), the National Research School of Excellence in Arctic and Antarctic Research Training. SEAL's research environment is based on strong collaboration between Swedish universities, which together offer an internationally competitive, field-based doctoral school with unique infrastructure and integrated courses, under the supervision of leading national and international polar researchers. The doctoral school encompasses the entire spectrum of polar expertise – from glaciology, oceanography, and climate modeling to radar, remote sensing, and technology development, as well as social sciences and indigenous perspectives. The PhD candidate will also be part of the international research program iQ2300 – East Antarctic Sea level rise contribution in 2300, with logistical support for fieldwork from link (https://www.polar.se/en/research-support/polar-research-process/theme-antarctica/theme-iq2300/), coordinated by link (https://www.su.se/english/research/research-catalogue/research-projects/d/ng--iq2300-east-antarctic-sea-level-rise-contribution-in-2300).

The project will follow up on recently conducted experiments with thickness estimation in the Arctic and Greenland (see e.g. link (https://doi.org/10.1017/jog.2024.25); link (https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1-2025)), and connect to an ongoing project on modeling the Greenland Ice Sheet. The project will involve collaboration with Utrecht University, Mid Sweden University, University of Gothenburg, Stockholm University, and the Danish Meteorological Institute.

Responsibilities

The goals of the PhD project are to generate new maps of seafloor topography and ice thickness for the Riiser-Larsen Ice Shelf, Dronning Maud Land, and grounded ice upstream, and simulate the development until 2300. To achieve this, an efficient inverse method will be used to reconstruct today's seafloor topography under the ice, which simultaneously provides a starting point for predictive modeling. Ice flow will be modeled using the Utrecht Finite Volume Ice Sheet Model (UFEMISM; link (https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-3635-2025)). The use of machine learning emulators for ice flow, e.g., for uncertainty quantification, will be investigated.

The position will involve participation in fieldwork and research campaigns in polar and subpolar environments, as well as national and international travel for field activities, mobility stays at other research organizations, conferences, and project meetings. Fieldwork may involve extended stays in remote areas and requires flexibility and the ability to work under demanding environmental conditions.

Qualifications

Eligible for doctoral education is someone who has:

• completed a master's degree in glaciology, earth sciences, computer science, physics, or similar, and
• completed at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the advanced level including an independent project of at least 15 higher education credits, or
• acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way.

Previous experience in modeling/analysis of the cryosphere, preferably glaciers, is a requirement. The candidate should be able to communicate fluently in spoken and written English, work independently, and in an international team of researchers with diverse disciplinary backgrounds.

Desirable/meritorious

Experience in machine learning, inverse modeling, and programming skills in Python or similar are valued. Additionally, familiarity with software for spatial analysis (e.g., ArcGIS) is meritorious.

Regulations for doctoral candidates can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5 §§ 1-7 and at link (https://regler.uu.se/?languageId=3).

About the position

The position is temporary, according to HF Chapter 5 § 7. The extent is full-time. Start date 2026-08-15 or by agreement. Place of employment: Uppsala

For inquiries about the position, please contact: Ward van Pelt, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Welcome with your application by March 20, 2026, UFV-PA 2026/490.

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international position. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all 7,600 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of the most exciting workplaces in the country.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University here. (https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/)

The position may be subject to security clearance. In the case of security clearance, a condition for employment is that the applicant is approved.

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Applications are received in Uppsala University's recruitment system.

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