PhD Heterogeneity of sea ice energy fluxes

The observed and further predicted Arctic warming is both a consequence and a driver of feedback processes specific to the Arctic. In order to advance our understanding and to improve our predictive skills, the Transregional Collaborative Research Centre TR172 “(AC)3: Arctic Amplification: Climate Relevant Atmospheric and Surface Processes and Feedback Mechanisms” was funded as a collaborative research (see www.ac3-tr.de).

The thesis will work on the hypothesis that the spatial heterogeneity and temporal evolution of surface properties (sea ice types, snow, open ocean, melt ponds) have a major impact on radiative energy fluxes in the coupled Arctic climate system. It is based on field and remote sensing observations of the ice covered Arctic ocean, including major data sets from the year-long drift experiment of the MOSAiC project (Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of the Arctic Climate, https://mosaic-expedition.org/). The work of this sub-project and thesis will focus on spectral radiation and acoustic multi-beam data sets measurements from our remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Physical sea ice properties and energy fluxes will be derived across the atmosphere-ice-ocean boundaries.

Tasks

Aim of the position is to complete a PhD thesis in sea ice physics with the specific tasks / challenges of:

• combine field observations with numerical process modelling and remote sensing data to improve our understanding of sea ice energy budgets during different seasons across the Arctic.
• work on different spatial scales in order to derive large scale energy budgets from local observations and time.
• analyze spectral radiation fluxes from the atmosphere through snow and sea ice into the upper ocean.
• derive and analyze sea ice geometry from a bathymetric multi-beam data.
• link results from sea ice and snow observations to processes in the upper ocean and lower atmosphere
• derive surface/bottom properties and classifications of sea ice.
• work closely with two other PhD students approaching this challenge from the different perspectives of changing Arctic atmosphere-ice-ocean system.

Requirements

• A degree (Master, Diploma) in geophysics, physics, meteorology or comparable science.
• Strong analytical skills with field data and large data sets.
• Proficiency in a programming language (e.g. Matlab, Python or similar).
• Excellent English language skills, both written and spoken.

Additional skills and knowledge

• Previous experience with polar research and processes (sea ice, atmosphere, ocean) is an advantage

Further Information

For further information please contact
Dr. Marcel Nicolaus
(Marcel.Nicolaus@awi.de, +49(471)4831-2905).
This position is limited to 3 years pending final approval of funding. The salary will be paid in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the Federation (Tarifvertrag des öffentlichen Dienstes, TVöD Bund), up to salary level

13 (66%)
.
The place of employment will be
Bremerhaven.
All doctoral candidates will be members of AWI’s postgraduate program
and thus benefit from a comprehensive training program and extensive support measures.

This characterizes us

• our scientific success - excellent research.
• collaboration and cooperation - intra-institute, national and international, interdisciplinary.
• opportunities to develop – on the job, aiming at other positions and beyond AWI.
• a culture of reconciling work and family – audited, and even more than that.
• our outstanding research infrastructure – ships, stations, aircraft, laboratories and more.
• an international environment – everyday contacts with people from all over the world.
• having an influence – fundamental research with social and political relevance
• flat hierarchies – freedom and responsibility.
• exciting topics – also in technology, administration and infrastructure.

Equal opportunities are an integral part of our personnel policy and we encourage women to apply.
Disabled applicants will be given preference when equal qualifications are present. The AWI fosters the compatibility of work and family through various means. Because of our engagement in the area of work-life compatibility we have been awarded the certificate “Career and Family”.

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