Postdoc in "Antarctic Sea Ice Observing Systems” (x/d/f/m)

The Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) is a member of the Helmholtz Association (HGF) and funded by federal and state government. AWI focuses on polar and marine research in a variety of disciplines such as biology, oceanography, geology, geochemistry and geophysics thus allowing multidisciplinary approaches to scientific goals.

Postdoc in "Antarctic Sea Ice Observing Systems” (x/d/f/m)

Background
Antarctic sea ice is undergoing rapid and poorly understood changes, with important consequences for the Southern Ocean climate system and ecosystems. At the same time, observations remain unevenly distributed across regions, seasons and platforms. Progress therefore requires both a better scientific understanding of Antarctic sea ice and a coordinated strategy for future observations.

The position is part of SYNCHRONY (Synchronous Southern Ocean Observatory), a Horizon Europe project advancing a coordinated, multidisciplinary and sustainable observing system for the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. SYNCHRONY contributes to Antarctica InSync, a broader international initiative coordinating circumpolar and year-round observations to strengthen our understanding of the Antarctic environment.

You will combine drift trajectories from a wide range of autonomous ice-tethered platforms with satellite-derived sea ice motion and model output, using AI-supported approaches where appropriate, to identify optimal deployment regions, seasons and observing strategies. The resulting recommendations will support the development of a harmonized and sustainable Antarctic sea ice observing system.

To provide the necessary observational basis, you will analyze and harmonize sea ice and snow measurements from autonomous ice-tethered platforms and existing pack-ice datasets. The work will include assessing observational coverage and gaps, developing consistent processing methods for key variables such as sea-ice thickness and snow depth, and deriving time series and climatologies to investigate regional and seasonal patterns.

You are expected to work independently, take responsibility for the relevant research activities and project deliverables, and collaborate closely with partners in SYNCHRONY, Antarctica InSync and the international sea-ice observing community.

The position will be embedded in the Joint Research Group SNOWflAke (“Learning from local snow properties for large-scale Antarctic ice-pack volume”), a collaboration between the Alfred Wegener Institute and the University of Hamburg.

Aufgaben

• Develop consistent processing methods and derive regional and seasonal time series and climatologies of sea ice thickness and snow depth using autonomous platforms, pack-ice, satellite and model data
• Assess links between sea-ice conditions and atmospheric and oceanic forcing, including uncertainties across datasets
• Identify observational gaps and determine suitable regions, seasons and deployment strategies for future sea-ice observations
• Develop recommendations for a harmonized and sustainable Antarctic sea-ice observing system
• Publish results in scientific journals and present them at conferences and project meetings

Profil

• PhD or equivalent degree in physics, geophysics, meteorology, or a related field
• Strong experience in scientific programming
• Strong experience in processing and analyzing observational, satellite or model data
• Ability to work independently and take responsibility for research activities and project deliverables
• Very good command of English (approximately equivalent to CEFR level C1)
• Good teamwork abilities

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Experience in polar and/or sea ice processes
• Experience with autonomous ice-tethered platforms and/or in-situ observations
• Experience with satellite-derived sea-ice products, trajectory analysis or numerical modelling
• Experience with large geospatial datasets, reproducible workflows and uncertainty analysis
• Experience applying machine-learning or AI methods to environmental data, remote sensing or observing-system design

Wir bieten

• Excellent research environment with access to globally unique infrastructure, comprehensive datasets, and international expeditions
• Opportunity to develop and pursue independent scientific ideas and innovative research approaches addressing societally relevant questions
• Close scientific collaboration and interdisciplinary cooperation within the institute as well as with national and international partners
• An international working environment with daily interaction with colleagues from around the world
• Opportunities for professional and personal development
• Flexible working hours
• 30 days of annual leave (full-time), plus additional days off on December 24th and 31st
• Annual special payment in accordance with the German public sector collective agreement (TVöD Bund)
• Occupational health promotion and company fitness programme with Hansefit
• Support services and an established culture promoting work–life balance, e.g. through our family office offering childcare services (e.g. holiday programmes) as well as advice on family and care responsibilities
• Occupational pension scheme (VBL)

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