Lu Zhou

A fully funded 4-year PhD position is available at Utrecht University’s Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research Utrecht (IMAU), focusing on Arctic sea ice and Greenland Ice Sheet interactions. The project is part of a Dutch-German collaboration with the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) and aims to study how rapid sea ice thinning and increasing open water north of Greenland and Ellesmere Island affect surface melt and mass balance of the northern Greenland Ice Sheet. The research will combine airborne observations, satellite remote sensing, and regional/coupled climate modelling to understand the influence of sea ice changes on atmosphere-ice sheet interactions. The candidate will analyze data from AWI airborne campaigns, process satellite datasets to monitor sea ice and surface melt, investigate heat fluxes from open water and polynyas, and run regional climate model simulations to project future Greenland surface mass balance under different sea ice scenarios. The position offers opportunities to collaborate with leading scientists in Germany and the Netherlands, and to participate in Arctic field campaigns. The successful candidate will develop strong skills in data analysis, remote sensing, and climate modelling, contributing to improved predictions of Arctic change and global sea level rise. The research group at IMAU is internationally recognized for excellence in ice and climate studies, providing a supportive and diverse environment. Applicants should have a Master’s degree in (climate) physics, geosciences, meteorology, oceanography, or a related field, with strong programming skills (Python or similar), and experience or interest in spatiotemporal data analysis, remote sensing, and numerical modelling. Good command of English and strong communication skills are required. The position is fully funded, with a competitive salary and benefits, and support for professional development and international collaboration. The application deadline is 5 January 2026, with a flexible start date, preferably before or on 1 March 2026.