Postdoc Long-term Antarctic Mass Balance

Postdoc Long-term Antarctic Mass Balance

Explore 50+ years of Antarctic ice change using AI, satellite data & historical imagery. Join TU Delft’s Cryosphere Group in a project with global climate impact. 🌍

Function description

Antarctic mass loss is the largest source of uncertainty in current sea level rise projections. Although great progress has been made in our understanding of the complex processes driving current mass loss since the advent of satellite observations, the long-term perspective of the response of the ice sheet to climate change remains illusive. In this project, you will unlock the potential of a vast archive of aerial photographs, obtained by the U.S. Navy since the 1940s, along ten thousands of kilometers spanning the Antarctic continent. Using Structure from Motion photogrammetry - combined with recent developments in high performance computing and image pattern recognition - you will derive digital elevation models of the Antarctic Peninsula, dating back more than five decades. These will be compared to present-day elevation data, for example from satellite stereophotogrammetry and altimetry (ICESat-2), to obtain a detailed picture of elevation and mass changes over the past 50 years.

Your work will provide a unique insight into the long-term impact of changing climate conditions on Antarctica’s glaciers, and their dynamical response to climatice forcings, and ice shelf weakening and disintegration. This provides essential validation data for ice modelling efforts, thereby contributing to reducing the uncertainties in future sea level rise scenarios.

You will collaborate with Bert Wouters and Roderik Lindenberg, both experts in remote sensing of the cryosphere. As part of the Cryosphere Group within the Department of Geoscience and Remote Sensing at TU Delft, you will join a dynamic team of postdocs, PhDs, and research partners from across Europe. In addition to an engaging research project and a supportive, stimulating work environment, generous funding is available to support scientific travel. We aim to start the project in mid-May 2025, with an initial duration through January 2026 (inclusive), and potential for extension depending on available funding.

Function requirements

We are looking for a motivated researcher with a PhD (or near completion) in Geodesy, Photogrammetry, Aerospace Engineering, Digital Image Processing, or a related field. You should have strong programming skills and demonstrated experience in developing data processing algorithms. Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, are essential, along with the ability to work independently and critically evaluate your own results. A high level of proficiency in English is required.

Additional experience in photogrammetry and/or remote sensing of ice sheets and glaciers is highly desirable, as is a solid background and interest in glaciology. Familiarity with machine learning, image pattern recognition, and working with large datasets—particularly using parallel, high-performance, or cloud computing environments—will be considered a strong advantage.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact! 🌟

Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences

The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in the following seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 8 maanden met optie voor verlengen.
• A job of 36-40 hours per week.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information

If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Bert Wouters, e-mail: bert.wouters@tudelft.nl.