PhD: Global Warming and the Hydrological Response of Himalayan Snowpacks

The department of Physical Geography is looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate with a background in hydrology, meteorology, climate physics or other appropriate fields. You will work on the project “global warming and the hydrological response and feedbacks of Himalayan snowpack” as part of the EMBRACER project.

Your job

Snow melt in the high mountains of Asia, including mountain ranges such as Himalaya, Karakoram and Pamir, plays an important role in the water supply to downstream regions. Snowpacks play a critical role in the mountain water cycle, and the snow melt contribution to river flow is often more important that of glacier melt. Climate change strongly impacts the snow hydrology: more precipitation falls in the form of rain, the snow line migrate upwards, the snow melt season shifts and shortens, the albedo changes, refreezing and sublimation dynamics become different, and the interaction between snow, vegetation and the soil changes. In this project we will address and disentangle these critical snow-related processes and feedbacks by combining field observations, remote sensing and snow modelling at various spatial scales, ranging from our observational catchment in the central Himalaya to entire mountain ranges in HMA. The project is a collaboration with Utrecht University’s Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (IMAU) and for the large-scale modelling the snow and firn modelling expertise of IMAU will be used and adapted for HMA conditions.To support academic and personal development, PhD candidates follow courses and assist in teaching Earth Sciences at Bachelor's and Master's level. Together these activities amount to twenty percent of the contracted time.

Your qualities

We look forward to your application if you have the following qualifications:

• MSc degree in hydrology, meteorology, climate physics or a related discipline by the time the position starts;
• strong quantitative methodological skills, in particular knowledge of (spatial) data analysis, atmospheric and/or hydrological modelling;
• experience with programming languages (Python / R);
• motivation and capability to organise and carry out fieldwork in high elevation, mountainous terrain;
• motivation to cooperate in a diverse and multidisciplinary research team;
• strong social and communication skills and a team player

Due to the international character of our research, good command of spoken and written English is essential. We highly encourage applicants from all members of our community and of diverse backgrounds to join us.

Our offer

We offer:

• a position for one year, with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
• a working week of 38 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,901 and €3,707 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.