NSFPLR-NERC: Thwaites-Amundsen Regional Survey and Network (TARSAN) Integrating Atmosphere-Ice-Ocean Processes affecting the Sub-Ice-Shelf Environment

Position:

Full-time 12-month (extendable to 24 or more) Postdoctoral Scholar position located in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University.

The successful applicant will join this team of glaciologists, atmospheric scientists, and oceanographers studying the Thwaites Glacier and Amundsen Sea System in Antarctica. This project (TARSAN: Thwaites-Amundsen Regional Survey and Network) focuses on the interactions between the floating ice shelves and the ocean circulation in the Amundsen Sea. A critical piece of this project is the stability of three ice shelves (Thwaites, Dotson, and Crosson) through integrating airborne and ground-based radar data with bathymetry and satellite-derived velocities for spatial understanding of the ice shelf systems and putting this analysis in context of temporal changes from two years of data collection of the atmosphere, ice, and ocean environment.   

This position is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The postdoc will work under the mentorship of Principal Investigator Dr. Erin Pettit, in collaboration with Co-Investigators Dr. Martin Truffer (Univ of Alaska Fairbanks), Dr. Atsu Muto (Temple Univ), Drs. Ted Scambos and Jan Lenaerts (Univ of Colorado), Drs. Karen Heywood and Rob Hall (Univ of East Anglia), Dr. Lars Boehme (Univ of St Andrews) along with several other national and international collaborators.

The position is renewable for a second year, so long as the postdoctoral scholar remains within five years from receipt of their doctoral degree*; reappointment depends on performance and continued funding availability and is at the discretion of the Principal Investigator and the OSU Office of Postdoctoral Programs. Stipend and benefits conform with postdoctoral scholar standards at OSU (http:// gradschool.oregonstate.edu/postdocs).

Responsibilities:

The successful applicant will lead the field acquisition** and analysis of ground-penetrating radio echo sounding and phase sensitive radars and integrate these new data with other data towards making significant scientific contributions related to the physics of ice-ocean interactions and ice-shelf stability. The postdoc will work with the PI and collaborators to design and conduct field acquisition, processing, analysis, and archiving of data; communicate research findings; prepare research manuscripts for peer-reviewed journal publications; present research at scientific conferences and public outreach events; develop and assist with writing grant proposals; assist in the training of undergraduate and graduate students in thesis or dissertation preparation, research methods, and computational/mathematical methods; and collaborate with other members of the OSU glaciology research group and the international project team. Up to 15% of the time may be used for professional development activities.

Required Qualifications:

Ph.D. in glaciology, geophysics, or a closely related field; proficiency with Matlab and/or python; peer-reviewed publication record (commensurate with career stage) in glaciology or a closely related field; excellent written and verbal communication skills; self motivation and ability to work independently; effective decision-making skills and ability to plan and implement research strategies (in collaboration with the advisors/mentors) to efficiently achieve the project goals; ability to work effectively with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications:

While there is some flexibility to design the post-doc's activities towards their area of expertise, a background in ice/ocean interactions, radar or seismic signal processing, and field experience in a polar environment.  We highly encourage applicants from under-tapped groups, including people of color, women, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities.

Position Available:

August 19, 2019 or similar date to be determined by agreement with PI.

Application:

For full consideration, apply by May 15, 2019. Applicants must send: (1) a cover letter describing academic experience, qualification; and interest in the position; (2) a curriculum vitae, including current employment and contact information; (3) undergraduate and graduate transcripts; (4) names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references; and (5) reprints/ preprints of representative publications.

Application materials should be addressed to Dr. Erin Pettit and uploaded as single pdf here:

Oregon State University is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer.

* If you are close to or beyond the five-year limit for OSU’s postdoctoral scholar program, please apply anyway and submit a question through the link above for more information. There are alternative mechanisms for you to be hired as a post doctoral researcher if you are selected as the best candidate.

** While this project does involve field work at a remote site in Antarctica, to insure inclusivity of all potential applicants, participating in this field work is not required if arrangements can be made ahead of time to find a suitable alternative field scientist.