Research Fellow in Physical Geography and Environmental Science
Northumbria University in Newcastle is inviting applications for a Research Fellow position in ice‑ocean interactions in Antarctica. The position starts in early 2026, is fully funded for 30 months, and is embedded within the "Ice Sheet Model Intercomparison Project for CMIP7 (ISMIP7)" initiative, which aims to provide sea‑level projections from ice sheets to the next IPCC report.
About the Role
In this position the successful candidate will support the research activities of the Antarctic ice‑ocean focus group of ISMIP7. The group’s objective is to develop a protocol and supply the boundary conditions for ocean‑driven melting required by ice‑sheet modelers to simulate the evolution of the Antarctic ice sheet. The project also encompasses developing, conducting, and summarising the Melt parameterisation Model Intercomparison Project (MeltMIP), which tests the influence of melt parameterisation choices and parameter values on projections through idealised experiments. Better understanding of ice‑ocean interactions could help reduce the large uncertainties surrounding future Antarctic ice loss.
Job Description
We invite candidates with interests and experience in the fields of physical and computational oceanography, numerical glaciology, mathematics, physics, or related disciplines. Working as part of a multi‑disciplinary team, the successful candidate will support the research activities of the Antarctic ice‑ocean focus group, collaborate with the entire focus group—which meets monthly—and engage with the wider ISMIP7 project. The role also encourages the development of independent research across a broad range of topics depending on the candidate’s specialty and interests.
About the Team
The successful candidate will be part of the project "Projected sea level rise from ice sheets: the Ice Sheet Model Intercomparison Project for CMIP7 (ISMIP7)", funded by the Heising‑Simons Foundation. They will work closely with the Antarctic ice‑ocean focus group co‑led by Ronja Reese (PI of the project at Northumbria) and Nicolas Jourdain from the Université Grenoble Alpes, France, and will collaborate with researchers across Northumbria and the broader Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences.
About You
Applicants should hold a PhD in a relevant discipline (Climate Physics, Physical Geography, Physical Oceanography, Glaciology, or similar) and have demonstrable specialist expertise in ice‑ocean interactions in Antarctica, numerical modelling of ice sheets or polar oceans, sub‑shelf melt parameterisations, and/or analysis of large datasets.
The post will commence at the beginning of 2026, with 1 January as the target start date. Flexibility is possible to support a diverse and inclusive research environment.
How to Apply
To apply for this vacancy, please click "Apply Now" and submit a covering letter and a CV. If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Ronja Reese (ronja.reese@northumbria.ac.uk).
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