PhD in Physical Geography: Arctic Sea Ice Remote Sensing and Polynyas University of Gothenburg in Sweden

PhD opportunity at the University of Gothenburg in Physical Geography, focused on Arctic sea ice, remote sensing, and polynyas in a rapidly changing climate. The project studies why summer polynyas open where and when they do, how they evolve, and how they affect the climate system through ocean cooling, cloud formation, air-sea gas fluxes, and ecosystem impacts.

The doctoral project is part of the newly formed Swedish Space Research School and is a collaboration between the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology. The work will involve applying and adapting algorithms for sea-ice analysis, using existing sea ice concentration, thickness, and drift products, and modelling with the MIMICA large eddy simulation model. No prior experience with MIMICA is required. The project is strongly climate-oriented; AI experience is not the main focus.

Eligibility includes a Master’s-level background in Physics, Physical Oceanography, Fluid Dynamics, Climatology, Meteorology, Glaciology, Earth Sciences, or related fields. Applicants should have strong English skills and medium-to-advanced programming ability in Python, Matlab, or similar tools for handling complex 4D datasets, regridding, filtering, and EOF/composite analysis. Basic knowledge of physical oceanography and climate science is expected; Scandinavian language skills and Linux/remote-server experience are desirable.

The position is a full-time doctoral employment for four years, with possible departmental duties up to 20% that may extend the study period. The university notes that physical presence is required for the doctoral studies. The start date is as agreed, but no later than 2026-10-01. Applications must be submitted by 2026-05-10 through the university recruitment portal.

Required application materials: a personal letter explaining your motivation for this specific project and group, a CV, and contact details for two referees, including your Master’s supervisor or equivalent.