Track how Antarctica's snowpack changes under climate stress - Combine satellite data, firn cores, and modeling to trace changes in the ice sheet's firn in the past, present and future

Job description

The Department of Geoscience and Remote Sensing at TU Delft invites applications for a fully funded 4-year PhD position to investigate the evolving role of firn in Antarctic ice shelf stability under a changing climate.

Firn—aged, compacted snow—acts as a buffer for surface melt on Antarctica’s ice shelves by absorbing meltwater in its porous structure. However, climate change is disrupting this process. Changes in snowfall, increased firn compaction and refreezing meltwater are leading to a loss of pore space, reducing the firn's capacity to store meltwater. The resulting surface meltwater can form lakes, which—through hydrofracturing—threaten the structural integrity of the ice shelves. This contributes to ice shelf disintegration and ultimately to global sea-level rise.

In this project, you will explore how we can derive changes in firn properties from satellite observations and monitor firn evolution. By integrating a firn model with satellite remote sensing data through radiative transfer modelling, and informed by laboratory analysis of firn cores collected from the George VI Ice Shelf, you will develop a data assimilation method to emulate changes in firn storage capacity over time. Your work will provide a unique insight into the long-term impact of changing climate conditions on Antarctica’s ice shelves and enhance our understanding of their vulnerability to future changes, thereby reducing the uncertainties in future sea level rise scenarios.

You will work with Dr. Bert Wouters, Dr. Stef Lhermitte, and Prof. Femke Vossepoel. As part of the Cryosphere Group within the Department of Geoscience and Remote Sensing at TU Delft, you will join a dynamic team of postdocs, PhDs, and research partners from across the world. In addition to an engaging research project and a supportive, stimulating work environment, generous funding is available to support scientific travel. We aim to start the project in September 2025.

Job requirements

We are looking for a motivated researcher with an MSc degree in Earth System Science, Satellite Remote Sensing, Computational (Earth) Science, Applied Physics, Applied Mathematics or a related field. Proficiency in programming is essential for this position. Familiarity and experience in developing machine learning emulators and/or data assimilation will be considered a strong advantage. Additional experience in remote sensing of ice sheets and glaciers is a bonus, as is a background and interest in glaciology.

We welcome applicants who are eager to grow, work both independently and in teams, and contribute to an open and critical scientific environment. Strong communication skills, both written and oral, are important, as is a high level of proficiency in English.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences

The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in the following seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €2901 per month in the first year to €3707 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information

If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact bert wouters, via bert.wouters@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 15 June 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

A detailed CV
A letter of motivation
An abstract of the Masters thesis (1 page)
names of 2 references
copies of MSc manuscripts and course/grade transcripts (in English)

You can address your application to bert wouters.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Please note:

You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

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