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.
In addition to the terms of employment
laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development
external link, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities external link, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University external link.
About us
A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University
, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes
external link. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow external link.
Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences
studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.
The team of the Department of Physical Geography excels in research and education on BSc, MSc and PhD level. We research processes, patterns and dynamics of Earth’s systems from the mountains to the sea, and the interaction in between. This knowledge is essential for the sustainable management of our planet and to guarantee the availability of resources for the next generations. We have access to world-class laboratories like Geolab and Earth Simulation Lab, and to excellent high-performance computing facilities.
At EMBRACER we work at the very frontiers of knowledge on climate change, Earth’s climate system and climate feedbacks. Within its 10-year research programme, funded by NWO, EMBRACER brings together a wide range of world-leading climate experts with the aim to address existing uncertainties about climate feedbacks at the boundaries between oceans, land, ice, and atmosphere. Our interdisciplinary approach and state-of-the-art infrastructure will bring us forward in our understanding of the impact of climate feedbacks emerging over the next decades to centuries.
We are a lively department that hosts an active early career community (PhD-students, researchers and lecturers). We organize a warm welcome for every new member. The department and its facilities are located at Utrecht Science Park. Utrecht is the fourth largest city in the Netherlands with a population of nearly 360,000 and forms a hub in the middle of the country. Its historical city centre and its modern central station can easily be reached from the Science Park by public transport or by a 15-minute bicycle ride. Utrecht boasts beautiful canals with extraordinary wharf cellars housing cafés and terraces by the water, as well as a broad variety of shops and boutiques.
More information
For informal information (not for application) about this position, please contact Professor Walter Immerzeel
Note that international candidates that need a visa/work permit for the Netherlands require at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance. This will be arranged with help of the International Service Desk (ISD)
of our university. Finding appropriate housing in or near Utrecht is your own responsibility, but the ISD may be able to advise you therewith. In case of general questions about working and living in The Netherlands, please consult the Dutch Mobility Portal
Apply now
As Utrecht University, we want to be a home
for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.
You can only apply via our online procedure using the ‘apply now’ button. E-mail applications cannot be accepted. Include the following information in your application:
- your curriculum vitae, including any courses taken that are relevant for the position;
- academic credentials (mark sheets and degree statements);
- a letter of motivation.
No reference letters need to be submitted in your initial application. If you are short-listed, we will contact you for referees. We aim for a quick selection procedure after the application deadline. The preferable starting date is summer 2025.
If you have an international (not-Dutch) Master-diploma you will be requested to send your BA- and MA-diplomas and gradelists (in English).
The interviews are 7 and 8 April 2025. The first round can be online via MS Teams.
Online screening may be part of the selection. Commercial response to this ad is not appreciated.
The application deadline is 14 March 2025.