Position Opening: Postdoctoral Researcher in Snow Avalanche Hazards
The Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center (AK CASC) and the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) are seeking an early career researcher interested in snow avalanches, climate change, and natural resource management in Alaska. The postdoctoral research fellow will join a collaborative, regionally focused research effort and lead a research project that includes delivering actionable science that meets the needs of stakeholders and decision-makers.
Research Direction and Experience
The prospective postdoctoral research fellow will contribute to an internationally collaborative research project involving AK CASC, UAF, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS), and WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF (Switzerland). The fellow will have considerable latitude in developing a research plan that matches their expertise and interests with the needs of Alaska’s stakeholder and management community within the context of the broader research focus, which seeks to improve scientific understanding of the effects of a changing climate on snow avalanches and related hazards in Alaska and the impacts on natural resources and people in their natural and built environments.
We seek a research fellow with an understanding of avalanches, cryosphere change, experience in field-based experiments and analysis and/or modeling, and a background in geophysics, hydrology, remote sensing, physical geography, or closely related fields. The candidate should have a demonstrated record in scientific writing and will be expected to lead publication writing and contribute to reports. The candidate should have a developed skill set that includes large dataset management, geospatial and statistical analysis, scientific programming (e.g., Python, Matlab, and R), and experience with GIS. Experience with RAMMS or other geophysical numerical modeling tools is not required but would be considered an asset.
The position will be based at the International Arctic Research Center (IARC) at UAF and will be supervised by Dr. Gabriel Wolken at UAF and jointly mentored by Dr. Wolken and Dr. Yves Bühler at WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF (Switzerland). This is a one-year position with an opportunity for a second year.
How to Apply
Apply now to join the AK CASC and contribute to regionally relevant science for a changing climate. Applications can be submitted to the IARC postdoctoral pool and should include a cover letter, resume, and a list of references. Applications received by January 7, 2022 will be prioritized.
Other Details
UAF COVID Requirements: Effective immediately, all new UAF hires, whose job function or work location results in the employee being subject to the UAF vaccine requirements guided by the Federal Contractor Employee vaccine mandate*, must be fully vaccinated with an FDA- or WHO- authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine or have obtained a university-approved disability/medical or religious exemption by January 18, 2022, or before their start date if after January 18, 2022.
*Employees based on UAF’s Troth Yeddha’ (Fairbanks) campus, regardless of university affiliation and remote work status; Employees based in UAF research units outside Fairbanks (including Seward Marine Center, Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center, HAARP, Poker Flat, Lena Point, and Toolik Field Station); and Employees, regardless of their work location, paid by or directly working on impacted UAF federal contracts.
UA is an AA/EO employer and educational institution and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: http://www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination. As a public, regional, comprehensive university. UAF is committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive organization and strongly encourages women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply. UAF is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.