Seeking Postdoctoral Scholars
Application review will start September 1, 2025
Open until filled
Several positions available spanning Glacier-Ice/Ocean Interactions
Investigating processes that influence submarine ice-melt at the ocean interface of tidewater glaciers (Alaska and Greenland)
Position:
We are looking to fill several full-time 12-month (extendable to 24 or more) Postdoctoral Scholar positions located in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon, USA.
The successful applicant will join a team of oceanographers and glaciologists studying the dynamics of ice melt at tidewater glacier interfaces. For applicants with the right background, this might be coupled with work on Antarctic ice shelves (pending funding).
Recent field measurements and laboratory studies by our group reveal new details of the ice-melt process that are not represented within the current generation of melt models. While we have gained considerable insight from these data, we still lack the necessary information to know how to reconcile melt models and observations. We seek a postdoctoral researcher to join our team with strengths in interpreting observations through theory and/or modeling. The opportunity to join cruises to collect new field data is likely, but not a requirement.
Directions for exploration should focus around melt dynamics, and could include understanding the influence of:
ice morphology on near-glacier flow circulation patterns
bubbles trapped in the ice on heat exchange at the ice-ocean interface
sediment raining down on the ice on circulation and heat exchange at the ice-ocean interface
oscillatory flow and unsteady eddies on the mixing of heat at the ice-ocean interface
feedback with fractures and calving (and, pending funding, extension to ice shelf melt dynamics may be possible).
The postdocs will work under the mentorship of Principal Investigators of Dr. Jonathan Nash, Dr. Meagan Wengrove, and Dr. Erin Pettit (each post doc will have a primary supervisor depending on their field of expertise).
The positions are 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 Investigators 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 specific components of larger research projects; collaborate to design field data collection strategies (there is likely opportunity participate in field work**); process, analyze, and archive 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 team and the international project teams. As a postdoctoral fellow, OSU allows up to 15% of the time for professional development activities.
Required Qualifications:
A Ph.D. in Physics, Oceanography, Geosciences, Computational Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, or a similar field.
Experience with one or more of the following topics: ice-ocean melt physics, nearshore processes, environmental fluid mechanics, sediment dynamics, glacier dynamics.
For oceanography candidates, experience with CFD, DNS, and/or LES numerical modeling is valued, but not required.
For glaciology candidates, experience with various approaches to process-based modeling (FEM, DEM, etc) and/or ice sheet modeling is valued, but not required.
Experience with field data collection methods and analysis in oceanography or glaciology is valued.
Strong communication skills and a desire to work as part of a scientifically diverse team.
Preferred Qualifications:
Strong background in ice/ocean interactions and field experience in a polar environment. We highly encourage applicants from under-tapped groups.
Position Available:
Start date ideally this fall, to be determined by agreement with PIs.
Application:
Please contact us for further information and to express interest.
For full consideration, apply by August 31, 2025. Applicants must send combined PDF including (in this order): (1) a cover letter describing academic experience, qualification; and interest in the position; (2) a curriculum vitae, including current employment and contact information; (3) graduate transcripts (University’s unofficial transcripts are ok); (4) list of relevant undergraduate coursework; (5) names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references; and (6) list with links to relevant published research and/or preprints of relevant research not yet published.
Application materials should be addressed to Drs Nash, Wengrove, and/or 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 these projects may involve field work, not all post docs will participate and the ability to go to the field is not required (we encourage all to apply).