Ice Modeller/Emulation Scientist in Cambridge

The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is looking for an ice sheet modeller/emulation scientist to join our Ice Dynamics and Polar Ocean teams. This post is part of an ARIA-funded Forecasting Tipping Points programme, GIANT (Greenland Ice sheet to AtlaNtic Tipping points from ice loss). GIANT is a large international collaboration across 17 institutions that is dedicated to observing and modelling the melting and calving of glaciers in Greenland fjords.

At BAS, you’ll join an interdisciplinary team of oceanographers and glaciologists working closely together to improve our understanding of the evolving ice and ocean dynamics in Greenland and Antarctica. You’ll help us to deliver exciting and impactful scientific research on one of the biggest questions facing society: how much and how fast will ice sheets melt, influencing North Atlantic climate and causing global sea-level rise?

Purpose

We are looking for a post-doctoral physical scientist in the field of ice sheet/glacier modelling to simulate Greenland glaciers and train emulators of the full glacier models. In particular, the Ice Modeller/Emulation Scientist will use the WAVI ice sheet model to examine the response of key Greenland glaciers to perturbations from melting and calving at the glacier face. They will then develop existing machine learning frameworks to train statistical emulators of the glacier models that can cheaply represent the full model results, enabling assessments of potential future tipping points.

The postholder will collaborate with the wider team from the GIANT project, who will provide observational data and fjord model results. The role is based within a collaborative grouping of ice and ocean scientists in the Polar Oceans and Ice Dynamics teams at BAS, which includes ice sheet and ocean modellers as well as observational and field scientists. Assessing the future contribution of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets to sea-level rise and North Atlantic climate is the core research goal of this grouping.

We support the individual needs of our colleagues within a wider culture that is friendly, respectful, open and honest. We want the postholders to have freedom to pursue this science in the direction they think best, though we will of course offer full training in the technical aspects and modelling specifics and provide guidance on the research questions. There will also be plenty of scope to tailor the project to the candidate’s interests, within the remit of the broader GIANT project.

This post is advertised in parallel with the Ice-Ocean Modeller role. Applicants are encouraged to apply to both roles, which will be combined into a single interview. Please submit identical applications for each role you are interested in; we unfortunately cannot consider you for any roles to which you do not apply. Please ensure your cover letter and CV show how you meet the criteria below, and include a list of your publications. If this role appeals to you, we’d love to hear from you, whatever your background. Full training in all aspects of the modelling and emulation will be provided. The role is available immediately, but our top priority is to recruit the best candidate, and we would consider any start date. Informal enquiries about this post are very welcome and should be addressed to Rosie Williams, Paul Holland or Robert Arthern.

Duties

• Set up Greenland glacier simulations using the WAVI ice sheet model and observational data from the GIANT project and elsewhere.
• Investigate the response of Greenland glaciers to changes triggered at the terminus.
• Create cheap statistical emulators of the glacier models.
• Collaborate with other GIANT scientists on the incorporation of the emulators into a prototype Early Warning System.
• Publish papers in the scientific literature and present at international scientific conferences.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• First degree in physical science/mathematics plus PhD or equivalent experience.
• Experience in the use of numerical models (e.g. ice sheet or ocean models) or probabilistic machine learning methods, or equivalent related experience.
• Experience with computer coding (e.g. Julia, Python, Fortran).
• Experience of Linux and PC based systems.
• Track record of publication in high-quality journals and presentation at international conferences.
• Proficient in written and spoken English.
• Able to set own priorities and manage time effectively.
• Able to work effectively as part of a team.

Desirable

• Background in numerical modelling of ice sheet/glacier flow or processes relevant to ice dynamics.
• Knowledge/experience of emulation techniques for physics-based models.
• Knowledge of fluid dynamics or ice/ocean interactions.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.