PostDoc in Glaciology – Glacier mass-change estimates at glacier, regional, and global scales 80 %
Postdoc @University of Zurich posted 23 hours agoJob Description
We are looking for a highly motivated researcher with a proven ability to carry out and publish research in glaciology, both independently and in a team. The PostDoc will join the project teams producing our glacier mass-change products within the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) and implementing ESA’s Second Glacier Mass Balance Intercomparison Exercise (GlaMBIE-2). In these projects, we aim to assess regional to global glacier mass changes from a combination of in situ and remote sensing observations. In addition, the PostDoc will be supported in developing their own project ideas relevant to our core research and preparing corresponding funding applications.
Your responsibilities
You will join the WGMS team and primarily contribute to the C3S glacier services and the GlaMBIE-2 project.
As primary tasks:
- You will maintain and further develop mass-change products at the glacier, regional, and global scales. This includes programmatic data management, analysis, and visualization;
- You will contribute to and lead the publication of related results in academic journals;
- You will participate in the WGMS’ annual data compilation, quality control, dissemination, and publication;
- You will prepare funding applications for personal and project funding;
In addition:
- You will take part in the supervision, mentoring, and assessments of BSc, MSc, and PhD candidates;
- You will contribute to teaching in UZH’s MSc course on Glacier Mass Balance Measurements & Analysis (GEO851), including lectures, practicals, and field work;
- You will contribute administratively to the operational and strategic management of the WGMS and its projects.
Your profile
- You have a PhD in Glaciology, Geosciences, Remote Sensing, or a related field;
- You have excellent analytical and programming skills in the field of geospatial data management, analysis and visualization;
- You are experienced in scientific software development (preferably Python); frontend web application development is an asset;
- You have experience in publishing in peer-reviewed international journals;
- You have experience of participating in (and ideally leading) research projects;
- You have excellent organizational and communication skills;
- You have good interpersonal and team skills;
- You speak and write English fluently;
- You (ideally but not required) can understand and participate in discussions in German, the Department’s general language;
- You (ideally but not required) bring good mountaineering skills for excursions and field trips.
Your benefits
- Participation in a well-established international network of glacier monitoring and research groups and institutions, space agencies (e.g., DLR, ESA, NASA), and international organizations (e.g., WDS, IACS, UNESCO, UNEP, WMO);
- Fully equipped personal desk in shared office space at the Department of Geography, UZH, with the flexibility to work remotely one day a week;
- Further development of your skills in glaciology, programming, and project management;
- Mentoring for the following stages of your career.
What we offer
The WGMS team values collaboration, diversity, mutual respect, personal initiative, and scientific inquiry while championing reproducibility and openness (of data, code, and infrastructure). We actively learn from each other and are also keen to share our motivations, ideas, experiences, and methods with the broader community.
The Department of Geography offers outstanding working conditions, a high quality of life in Zurich, excellent administrative, logistical, and scientific support, and a flexible work environment that fosters international collaboration and teamwork.
UZH offers competitive salaries following the regulations of the Canton of Zurich. PostDoc positions usually start at pay level 3 in class 18.
Information on your application
For any questions about the position and the application process, don’t hesitate to contact Prof. Dr. Michael Zemp, Director WGMS.
We look forward to receiving your online application containing:
- A cover letter explaining why you want to apply for this position, demonstrating how you fulfil the criteria listed above, and where you want to go in your future career (max two pages);
- An example of a significant research contribution you have made (e.g., scientific paper, data product, code or software in open repository) that relates to the announced position (max two pages, incl. text, figures, tables, and references);
- Your CV, including full contact details (max three pages);
- Complete publication list, highlighting your three most relevant publications to this position;
- PhD certificate;
- Contact details for three professional references.
The initial deadline for applications is 13 July 2025. Review of applications will commence thereafter and continue until the position is filled. The employment start is to be mutually agreed upon, ideally the 1st of September 2025.
