Research Fellow in Physical Geography and Environmental Science

Job Description

We are seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Researcher for a 14‑month position in ice sheet numerical modelling. The role is part of Cryo Tipping:
Detecting marine ice sheet instability
, an international collaboration led by Northumbria University and funded by the European Space Agency.

You will develop new approaches to detect tipping points in numerical simulations of West Antarctica’s future evolution. The specific goal is to use state‑of‑the‑art Earth Observation datasets to initialise an ice sheet model and develop new methods for identifying tipping points in numerical simulations of Thwaites’ future evolution. This work will contribute towards advancing our understanding of whether and when tipping points might be crossed.

You will join Northumbria University’s Future of Ice on Earth research group, one of the largest and most active ice‑sheet modelling communities in the world, and the UK Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling (
CPOM
), which provides national capability in satellite observations and numerical modelling of Earth’s polar regions. The project provides opportunities to collaborate closely with international partners, participate in scientific project meetings, and present your work at leading conferences and workshops in glaciology, tipping points, numerical modelling, and Earth Observation.

We welcome applications from candidates with a strong interest in climate science and ice dynamics. You should have:

• A background in physics, applied mathematics, Earth science, or a related discipline
• Skills in numerical modelling, programming, and handling large datasets
• Interest in nonlinear dynamics and complex systems
• Motivation to contribute to key scientific questions about climate change and Earth’s future

Further information about the requirements of the role is available in the person specification.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Prof Hilmar Gudmundsson or Dr Inès Otosaka
.

To apply for this vacancy please click Apply Now
. Your application should include a covering letter and a CV.

Closing date: 13th March 2026 at 11:59pm

Interview and selection date: w/c 30th March 2026

Start date:

aiming at May‑June 2026

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