Call for applications for a thesis : combining an ice flow model with radar observations in the Dome C area, Antarctica

Subject :
Understanding how ice flows in East Antarctica is of uppermost importance to determine the distribution of age with depth for deep ice cores, to determine potential future drilling sites or improve the ice-dynamic context of a chosen site to support the correct interpretation of ice-core climate proxies. One of the most important application is to produce the depth vs age relationship, hence the first age model, for the Beyond EPICA ice core. Hence, this study will concentrate on the wider Dome C area. However, the methodological results of this project can also be applied to other deep drilling targets, as proposed under the IPICS umbrella. The approach is twofold. First, the candidate will develop a 3D numerical model to simulate the age in an ice sheet on a regional scale, using a novel numerical approach. Then, the candidate will use existing isochronal horizons traced and dated by linking them to the EPICA DC ice core to constrain the numerical model, involving innovative inverse approaches.

Expected profile :
The candidate must have a keen interest and solid knowledge in glaciological/physical sciences with a MSc in physics, mathematics, climate science, geophysics or a related field. Apart from his/her own research, the candidate will be involved in the extensive DEEPICE training programme including three summerschools and outreach activities and must be willing to spend an extended time at secondments with other DEEPICE partner institutions, in particular the Alfred Wegener Institute (Bremerhaven, Germany, contact Prof Olaf Eisen). The candidate for this position can have any nationality but must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in France for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. The candidate shall at the date of recruitment by the host organisation, be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree.

Work context :
DEEPICEis a research and training network on understanding deep ice core proxies to infer past Antarctic climate dynamics. It is funded by the EU HORIZON2020 programme and consists of 10 academic partner organisations from 10 European countries plus 9 collaborating institutions from academia and industry. In total 15 early stage researchers (PhD students) will be employed after a competitive recruitment process and work together within the European DEEPICE consortium. Each early stage researcher will be supervised by his/her local main supervisor and a co-supervisor within the consortium.

Recruitment :
For each of the early stage researcher positions a recruitment panel adhering to strict gender equality and equal opportunity rules will be set up consisting of the two supervisors and a third DEEPICE representative. Selection criteria will encompass the potential as researchers, creativity, level of independence, teamwork ability, knowledge, and communication experience and availability for the intended start date. Start date of the positions can be as early as July 2021 but all positions must be filled by October 2021. The candidate will be employed by the CNRS according to standard rules, the gross monthly salary will be ca. 3783€. In addition, an gross monthly mobility allowance of ca. 600€ and, if applicable, a family allowance of 500€ will be paid to DEEPICE early stage researchers. The PhD student will become part of the Institut des Géosciences de l’Environnement, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes. For additional information please contact Dr. Frédéric Parrenin (email : frederic.parrenin univ-grenoble-alpes.fr). Interested students are asked to submit their application including a letter of motivation with a statement of their research interests, a curriculum vitae, their academic credentials, abstracts of the MSc and BSc theses and contact details of two academic referees until 31st of March 2021 to Frédéric Parrenin.