PhD position - Satellite-Based Monitoring of Global Glacier Dynamics -80%
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Department of Geography
PhD position – Satellite-Based Monitoring of Global Glacier Dynamics 80 %
Start of employment as soon as possible by mutual agreement, temporary
We invite applications for a 4-year PhD position working on glacier change using a variety of geospatial data. The
successful candidate will contribute to research and teaching at the Department of Geography, University of Zurich.
Context
Earth observation data are essential for monitoring global environmental change, especially in the cryosphere. Here,
glaciers play a critical role in the global water and energy cycles, serving as essential freshwater reservoirs. As
glaciers are increasingly threatened by climate change, monitoring their dynamics is key to managing freshwater
resources, assessing local geohazard risks and developing climate adaptation strategies.
Project description
This PhD project focuses on monitoring global glacier change by analyzing satellite imagery to study snowline and
albedo variations. The research aims to improve the understanding of glacier dynamics by monitoring changes in glacier
facies (such as snow, ice and debris cover), determining snowline and albedo, and analyzing both spatial and temporal
trends in these variables in different glaciated regions of the world. Using Google Earth Engine, the project will
explore the potential of a variety of geospatial data (e.g. satellite data, topographic data, climatic data) to advance
glacier mass balance modelling. In situ observations as well as airborne data will be also used to calibrate and
validate spaceborne observations across different spatial scales. The successful candidate will be based at the
Department of Geography in Zurich and will be supervised by Hendrik Wulf.
Your responsibilities
We are looking for a highly motivated, creative, solution-oriented and independent PhD candidate with a passion for
geospatial analysis and an interest in tackling environmental science problems with high societal impact. The
successful candidate will:
- Develop and implement research questions.
- Process and analyze multi-source geospatial data such as multi-spectral satellite data (e.g., optical, thermal,
SAR), glacier data (e.g., ground observations, outlines, modelled mass balance data) and digital elevation models.
- Develop algorithms to improve glacial facies classification.
- Quantify and interpret spatial and temporal trends in glacier surface types and albedo change.
- Present research results at conferences and publish results in peer-reviewed journals.
- Contribute to the teaching of spatial data science courses.
- Collaborate with research partners.
Your profile
The ideal candidate will have a Master's degree in data science, remote sensing, geographic information science,
computer vision, earth systems science, geophysics, or related fields.
Very good skills in processing and analyzing geospatial data and advanced programming and computational skills (e.g.
Python, Google Earth Engine) are required. A strong interest and possibly some experience in spatial data science,
image processing, machine learning, change detection and trend analysis is expected. Excellent writing and
communication skills in English are essential, as is a strong interest in working in a team-oriented, interdisciplinary
environment.
The candidate will be based at the Department of Geography, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057
Zurich, Switzerland. The candidate is expected to work primarily in the office, with the flexibility to work remotely
one day per week.
Information on your application
The employment should start as soon as possible by mutual agreement.
The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled. We will begin reviewing applications on 18 November.
If you are interested in this position and meet the requirements, we look forward to receiving your online application
consisting of
- Cover letter (what excites you about this position, the work you have done and where you see your career going) (max
two pages)
- Names and contact details (email) of 2 referees
- Curriculum vitae (max three pages)
- List of publications (if any)
- Master's certificate
- Weblink to Master Thesis
What we offer
Our employees benefit from a wide range of attractive offers. More
What we offer
Work-Life Balance
- Flexible working models (such as part-time positions, mobile working, job-sharing)
- Childcare at the kihz foundation of UZH and ETH
More Learning and Development
- Wide range of continuing education courses of UZH and the Canton of Zurich
- Language Center run jointly with ETH Zurich
More Food
- Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias
- Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution
More Healthcare
- Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ
- Free seasonal flu vaccinations
- Rest and relaxation at the quiet room in the university tower
More Discounts
- Private traffic: Carsharing, rent a vehicle, parking space
- Digitalization: Hardware, software, mobile phone subscriptions
- Special conditions on hotel reservations
More Conditions of Employment
- Policies of the UZH
- Most UZH staff are employed according to public law
More International Services
- Support for people from outside Switzerland
More Campuses
- Campuses Zurich City, Zurich Irchel, Oerlikon and Schlieren
- Sites Zurich West, Old Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden and Lengg
More
Location
Department of Geography
Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
Further information
Questions about the job
Dr. Hendrik Wulf Contact Form
Contact question to: Dr. Hendrik Wulf
Your Name *Your Mail Address *Your question *I accept the privacy policySend Thank you for your message. We will get
back to you shortly. Working at UZH
The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject
areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the
University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent
and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer!
More → https://www.uzh.ch/cmsssl/en/explore/work.html
Please apply via our job portal www.jobs.uzh.ch.
Working at UZH
The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject
areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the
University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent
and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer! More
PhD position – Satellite-Based Monitoring of Global Glacier Dynamics 80 %
Start of employment as soon as possible by mutual agreement, temporary
We invite applications for a 4-year PhD position working on glacier change using a variety of geospatial data. The
successful candidate will contribute to research and teaching at the Department of Geography, University of Zurich.
Context
Earth observation data are essential for monitoring global environmental change, especially in the cryosphere. Here,
glaciers play a critical role in the global water and energy cycles, serving as essential freshwater reservoirs. As
glaciers are increasingly threatened by climate change, monitoring their dynamics is key to managing freshwater
resources, assessing local geohazard risks and developing climate adaptation strategies.
Project description
This PhD project focuses on monitoring global glacier change by analyzing satellite imagery to study snowline and
albedo variations. The research aims to improve the understanding of glacier dynamics by monitoring changes in glacier
facies (such as snow, ice and debris cover), determining snowline and albedo, and analyzing both spatial and temporal
trends in these variables in different glaciated regions of the world. Using Google Earth Engine, the project will
explore the potential of a variety of geospatial data (e.g. satellite data, topographic data, climatic data) to advance
glacier mass balance modelling. In situ observations as well as airborne data will be also used to calibrate and
validate spaceborne observations across different spatial scales. The successful candidate will be based at the
Department of Geography in Zurich and will be supervised by Hendrik Wulf.
Your responsibilities
We are looking for a highly motivated, creative, solution-oriented and independent PhD candidate with a passion for
geospatial analysis and an interest in tackling environmental science problems with high societal impact. The
successful candidate will:
- Develop and implement research questions.
- Process and analyze multi-source geospatial data such as multi-spectral satellite data (e.g., optical, thermal,
SAR), glacier data (e.g., ground observations, outlines, modelled mass balance data) and digital elevation models.
- Develop algorithms to improve glacial facies classification.
- Quantify and interpret spatial and temporal trends in glacier surface types and albedo change.
- Present research results at conferences and publish results in peer-reviewed journals.
- Contribute to the teaching of spatial data science courses.
- Collaborate with research partners.
Your profile
The ideal candidate will have a Master's degree in data science, remote sensing, geographic information science,
computer vision, earth systems science, geophysics, or related fields.
Very good skills in processing and analyzing geospatial data and advanced programming and computational skills (e.g.
Python, Google Earth Engine) are required. A strong interest and possibly some experience in spatial data science,
image processing, machine learning, change detection and trend analysis is expected. Excellent writing and
communication skills in English are essential, as is a strong interest in working in a team-oriented, interdisciplinary
environment.
The candidate will be based at the Department of Geography, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057
Zurich, Switzerland. The candidate is expected to work primarily in the office, with the flexibility to work remotely
one day per week.
Information on your application
The employment should start as soon as possible by mutual agreement.
The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled. We will begin reviewing applications on 18 November.
If you are interested in this position and meet the requirements, we look forward to receiving your online application
consisting of
- Cover letter (what excites you about this position, the work you have done and where you see your career going) (max
two pages)
- Names and contact details (email) of 2 referees
- Curriculum vitae (max three pages)
- List of publications (if any)
- Master's certificate
- Weblink to Master Thesis
What we offer
Our employees benefit from a wide range of attractive offers. More
What we offer
Work-Life Balance
- Flexible working models (such as part-time positions, mobile working, job-sharing)
- Childcare at the kihz foundation of UZH and ETH
More Learning and Development
- Wide range of continuing education courses of UZH and the Canton of Zurich
- Language Center run jointly with ETH Zurich
More Food
- Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias
- Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution
More Healthcare
- Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ
- Free seasonal flu vaccinations
- Rest and relaxation at the quiet room in the university tower
More Discounts
- Private traffic: Carsharing, rent a vehicle, parking space
- Digitalization: Hardware, software, mobile phone subscriptions
- Special conditions on hotel reservations
More Conditions of Employment
- Policies of the UZH
- Most UZH staff are employed according to public law
More International Services
- Support for people from outside Switzerland
More Campuses
- Campuses Zurich City, Zurich Irchel, Oerlikon and Schlieren
- Sites Zurich West, Old Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden and Lengg
More
Location
Department of Geography
Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
Further information
Questions about the job
Dr. Hendrik Wulf Contact Form
Contact question to: Dr. Hendrik Wulf
Your Name *Your Mail Address *Your question *I accept the privacy policySend Thank you for your message. We will get
back to you shortly. Working at UZH
The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject
areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the
University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent
and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer!
More → https://www.uzh.ch/cmsssl/en/explore/work.html
Please apply via our job portal www.jobs.uzh.ch.
Working at UZH
The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject
areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the
University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent
and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer! More