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PhD position, Spatial climate variability patterns reconstructed with Bayesian Hierarchical Learning - Potsdam, Germany

Location

Potsdam
Germany

Category
Logistics
This project is part of the HEIBRiDS programme (for more information see: https://www.heibrids.berlin/).

The place of employment will be Potsdam in the Earth System Diagnostics group at the Alfred Wegener Institute (https://www.awi.de/en/science/geosciences/polar-terrestrial-environmental-systems/research-foci/earth-system-diagnostics.html).

It is a full-time position, limited to 4 years. The salary will be paid in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the Federation (Tarifvertrag des öffentlichen Dienstes, TVöD Bund), up to salary level 13.
Description
Understanding natural climate variability is crucial for assessing the range of plausible future climate trajectories in the next centuries. Natural climate variability will impact future regional climate trends and risks, and is important to consider for climate change attribution and adaptation planning (Laepple et al., 2023). Previous studies suggest that climate models often fail to capture long-term variability recorded in paleoclimate data and that this discrepancy varies depending on the spatial scale (local vs. global) and between regions (Hébert et al., 2022; Laepple et al., 2023).

This project will, for the first time, map the time-scale-dependent temperature variability based on paleoclimate data to investigate the corresponding range of possible future climate trends. Ultimately, the obtained results will help to improve the understanding of the origins of this variability and the representation of variability in climate models.

The interdisciplinary and complementary expertise of the team, which includes specialists in climate variability, the use of paleoclimate data, Bayesian hierarchical modeling, and data science, will provide an optimal supervision basis for the project.


Selection of relevant publications:

Hébert, R., Herzschuh, U. & Laepple, T. (2022). Millennial-scale climate variability over land overprinted by ocean temperature fluctuations. Nature Geoscience, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-022-01056-4.

Klein, N., Kneib, T. & Lang, S. (2015). Bayesian generalized additive models for location, scale, and shape for zero-inflated and overdispersed count data. Journal of the American Statistical Association, 110(509):405–419. doi:10.1080/01621459.2014.912955.

Laepple, T., Ziegler, E., Weitzel, N., Hébert, R., Ellerhoff, B., Schoch, P., ... & Rehfeld, K. (2023). Regional but not global temperature variability underestimated by climate models at supradecadal timescales. Nature Geoscience, 16(11), 958-966.

Senf, C., Pflugmacher, D., Heurich, M., & Krueger, T. (2017). A Bayesian hierarchical model for estimating spatial and temporal variation in vegetation phenology from Landsat time series. Remote Sensing of Environment, 194, 155-160.
Tasks
The selected candidate will:
• Synthesise proxy-based estimates of variability from the ocean, land and ice sheets into a spatio-frequency map of temperature variability.
• Develop a Bayesian Hierarchical Model that incorporate various data, forward models, prior information on the spatial structure of variability from instrumental data and climate models and the associated uncertainties.
• Use hierarchical weighted spatial priors to account for recent propositions that the spatial degrees of freedom of temperature on centennial- to millennial timescales are more similar to the one on multi-decadal timescales contrary to what climate models suggest (Laepple et al., 2023).
• Characterise the spatial structure of climate variability.
• Study the implications of the results for future projections of variability e.g. for frequency of extreme events.
Requirements
• MSc or equivalent degree in physics, climate sciences, applied mathematics or a related field
• Strong analytical and statistical skills
• Proficiency in a programming language (preferably R, Matlab or Python)
• Excellent English language skills, both written and spoken
• Strong motivation and ability to carry out research both independently and as part of a team in an international environment
• Detailed knowledge on climate reconstructions and paleo-proxy data and is an
advantage
• Knowledge of spectral analysis and/or Bayesian methods is an advantage
• Experience with large datasets (e.g. model fields and paleoclimate proxy databases) is an advantage
Applications
For more information and to apply see the application portal under the following link: https://heibrids.mdc-berlin.de/site/index.php
Application deadline
Further information
For more information, please contact Prof. Dr. Thomas Laepple (Thomas.Laepple@awi.de, https://www.awi.de/ueber-uns/organisation/mitarbeiter/detailseite/thomas-laepple.html)
Contact email

PhD position, Reconstructing Past Vegetation and Fire History in the Landes de Gascogne Area - Toulouse, France

Location

Toulouse
France

Theme
Category
Logistics
Supervisor’s team

The PhD student will be jointly supervised by Dr. Florence Mazier and Dr. Marie Claude Bal (Department of Environmental Geography, University of Toulouse, France). The scientific consortium will be enlarged to different persons that are members of the FIRE-LANDES project: Prof Adam Ali (Institute of Evolutionary Sciences of Montpellier (ISEM), University of Montpellier, France), Dr. Damien Rius (Chrono-Environment Laboratory, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté), Prof. Guillaume de Lafontaine (University of Quebec, Rimouski, Quebec) and Prof. Emmanuel Chapron (Department of Environmental Geography, University of Toulouse, France)

What is the department offering?

• Be part of a team of leading scientists in different fields of academia • Develop multi-, inter- and transdisciplinary research skills.
• Establish a professional network in academia
• Internships and visits to different disciplinary institutes.

Salary and conditions

The appointment will be for 36 months. Salary of 2135€ month for three years

Location

The place of employment and work is the palaeoecological research group of the Department of Environmental Geography, at Toulouse Jean Jaurès University (https://www.univ-tlse2.fr/home/), France. The group currently includes seven senior researchers, two research engineers, one technician, five PhD students and four Post-Docs. Environmental Science includes palaeoecology, geoarchaeology, environmental geology and chemistry. The focus of the palaeoecological group is on Holocene landscape dynamics and relationships between vegetation/landscapes, human activity, metallurgy, pollution history, and climate change over century to millennial time scales. The most unique expertise of the group includes pollen-vegetation modelling (pollen-based quantitative reconstructions of past
vegetation cover/landscape openness/deforestation), sedimentology analysis for reconstruction of past human occupation and pollution, and charcoal analysis for inference of past fire history, metallurgy, and land-use.
Description
Reconstructing Past Vegetation and Fire History in the Landes de Gascogne Area

The department is recruiting a student to undertake a PhD within their team at the Environmental Geography Laboratory - GEODE, based in Toulouse, France. The doctoral candidate will participate in the ANR FIRELANDES research project (https://fire-landes.com/), which aims to improve their ability to project future interactions between climate and fires in the Landes de Gascogne region (SW France) by using paleoecological data (paleo-fires and paleo-vegetation) and models to capture a larger portion of the natural variability of ecosystem flammability. The thesis will focus on reconstructing vegetation (composition, abundance, structure) and fire history in the Landes region, Southwest France.
Tasks
This PhD will focus on past vegetation and fire history using pollen and macrocharcoal data archived in sediment cores retrieved from target lakes and wetlands in the Landes de Gascogne area (LGA).

The tasks of the PhD student will include:
• Reconstruct the history of plant composition and abundance.
• Derive fire frequency and severity over the last 5000 years.

The candidate will produce maps of regional and landscape openness and types of forest cover in the LGA over the last 5000 years as a background to the local reconstructions for target sites. This will be achieved using pollen databases, new pollen cores, and the landscape reconstruction algorithm (REVEALS and LOVE models) to estimate regional and local past vegetation cover. The candidate will scale up fire frequency and biomass burned reconstructions from local to regional scales and will further compare the synchronicity of fire activities within the LGA area. The thesis will seek to explain the observed differences in the intensity, frequency, and severity of fires based on vegetation composition, species abundance, and flammability over the past 5000 years.
This PhD position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the understanding of historical climate- fire interactions and to feed/develop predictive models that can inform future land management and conservation strategies.

Responsibilities

• Literature Review: Conduct thorough reviews of existing literature on paleoecology, fire history, and vegetation modeling.
• Data Analysis: Perform regional and local analyses of vegetation and fire activities using pollen databases and new pollen and charcoal anaysis
• Modeling and Statistics: Utilize GIS, R statistical environment, and other tools for pollen-based modeling and statistical analysis.
• Collaboration: Work closely with other PhD students, post-docs, and researchers involved in the FIRELANDES project.
• Dissemination: Publish research findings in scientific journals and present results at conferences.

Requirements
The department seeks an excellent, highly motivated candidate with an MSc (or equivalent degree) in Ecology, Environmental Science, Conservation Science or related fields. They expect a strong interest in paleoecology as well as in European ecosystem. Mandatory skills include a sound background in geographic information systems, statistics and the R statistical environment. They expect a strong interest in environmental issues, land-use history, and fire ecology. The candidate should also have field and laboratory experience.
Applications
Are you interested in this position? Please apply via the application button and upload your curriculum vitae and cover letter before 15/08/2024 17:00.
https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/Doctorant/UMR5602-FLOMAZ-002/Default.aspx
The vacancy is posted in both English and French on the above webpage.
Application deadline
Further information
Are you interested in this position? Please apply via the application button and upload your curriculum vitae and cover letter before 15/08/2024 17:00.
https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/Doctorant/UMR5602-FLOMAZ-002/Default.aspx
In case of any questions, please get in touch with Dr. Florence Mazier
E-mail: florence.mazier@univ-tlse2.fr
Contact email

Fully funded PhD in limnogeology - Québec city, Canada

Location

Québec City
Canada

Category
Logistics
Start date as soon as possible.
A doctoral fellowship of $25,000 per year is available for 3 years.
PhD in Earth or Water sciences at INRS or Université Laval
Research supervision
Prof. Pierre Francus and Dr. Léo Chassiot, Eau Terre Environnement Research Centre, INRS
Prof. Patrick Lajeunesse, Department of Geography, Université Laval
Description
The objective of this PhD project is to document and quantify the impacts caused by human activities (hydroelectricity, mining, logging, vacationing, tourism) on the human and physical environments of the Manicouagan Lake-reservoir and Dechêne Lake using the analysis of sediment cores collected in the Manic-5 reservoir and profiles of the physicochemical properties of the water column of the reservoir.
This project is part of the multidisciplinary project “Imaging Manicouagan-Uapishka through Territorial Aquatic and Cultural Prospecting (IMPACT)”, funded by the Institut nordique du Québec and the Sentinel North program. The project brings together a university team from five research institutes and partners from the Territories and Resources office of the Innus of Pessamit Council, the Manicouagan-Uapishka World Biosphere Reserve, and the Uapishka Station.
The Innu of Pessamit community, the Ndakina office of the Waban-Aki Nation, Caroline Desbiens and Justine Gagnon of the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Heritage and Tourism also collaborate to this projet.
Tasks
The student’s tasks will be:

-Participate in one or more field missions at the Manicouagan lake-reservoir
-Participate in interactions with the Innu of Pessamit community
- Analyze lake sediment cores
- Collect and analyze the physicochemical properties of the water column of the Manicouagan Lake-
reservoir
- Trace the ecological, geochemical and limnological trajectories of the lake and the impacts of its flooding by the construction of the Manic-5 dam
Requirements
Training in Earth sciences, physical geography, or any other appropriate discipline and:

- an excellent academic record
- an interest in projects involving First Nations
- experience in paleolimnological analysis
- knowledge of the paleogeography of Quebec during the Quaternary
- ability to work alone and in a team
Applications
Send your application including the following documents in a single PDF: 1) a resume; 2) a cover letter; 3) all university transcripts; 4) a list of practical and technical skills; 5) the names and contact details of two referees to pierre.francus@inrs.ca
Application deadline
Further information
For more information about the position: https://inrs.ca/les-etudes/projets-de-maitrise-et-de-doctorat/repertoire-des-projets-etudes/impact-de-lennoiement-du-lac-manicouagan-par-le-barrage-daniel-johnson-sur-les-milieux-humain-et-physique/
Or please contact: pierre.francus@inrs.ca
The selection will begin upon receipt of applications and will continue until the candidate has been recruited.
Contact email

PhD, Geochemical tools to better understand historical boreal fire severity - Québec City, Canada

Location

Québec City
Canada

Theme
Category
Logistics
Start date: January or spring 2025
PhD in Earth or Water sciences, INRS
Research supervision
Prof. Pierre Francus, Centre Eau Terre Environnement, INRS
Dr. Jason M. E. Ahad, Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canda (NRCan), GSC-Québec
A doctoral fellowship of $28,000 per year is available for 3 years from NRCan’s Research Affiliate Program. Candidates must apply separately for this scholarship following enrollment in the PhD program at INRS.
Description
Higher severity forest fires lead to greater overall emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and have the potential to release “old” carbon previously buried in deeper layers of soil and permafrost. The ability to evaluate boreal fire severity over the recent geological past would provide a much-needed historical context that is currently lacking from modern estimates of burn depth. Through a series of experiments and application using dated lake sediment cores, this PhD project will work on developing and improving geochemical techniques to understand boreal fire severity over time. The results from this research will inform national policies that promote adaptation and resilience in boreal communities under a changing climate.
This research is part of the multidisciplinary project “Development of innovative geochemical tools for understanding historical boreal fire severity” funded by Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan’s) GEM-GeoNorth program. This project brings together a team of researchers from across the Geological Survey of Canada (NRCan) and INRS.
Tasks
The student’s tasks will be to:
• Determine concentrations and compound-specific isotope values of fire biomarkers from previously collected lake sediment cores.
• Carry out controlled burn experiments to determine effect of different variables (e.g., temperature, vegetation type) on distributions and isotopic values of fire biomarkers.
• Integrate geochemical data with other tools used to examine historical boreal fires in lake sediments (e.g., charcoal counting).
• Assist with method development into isotopic analyses by Orbitrap mass spectrometry – a novel technique with the potential to provide estimates of burn temperature.
Requirements
A master’s degree in geology, geochemistry, chemistry or environmental sciences from a recognized Canadian or foreign university, and:
• An excellent academic record.
• Ability to work in a research laboratory.
• Ability to work alone and in a team.
• Ability to communicate effectively within the team and with academic and governmental partners.
• Ability to communicate results effectively with the public.
Applications
Send your application including the following documents in PDF: 1) a resume; 2) a cover letter; 3) all university transcripts; 4) a list of practical and technical skills; 5) the names and contact details of two referees.
to jason.ahad@NRCan-RNCan.gc.ca
Application deadline
Further information
For more information, please see: https://inrs.ca/en/les-etudes/projets-de-maitrise-et-de-doctorat/repertoire-des-projets-etudes/geochemical-tools-to-better-understand-historical-boreal-fire-severity/
and/or contact dr. Jason M.E. Ahad at jason.ahad@NRCan-RNCan.gc.ca

The selection will begin upon receipt of applications and will continue until the candidate has been recruited.
Contact email

Fully funded PhD position, coupled climate and ice sheet modelling of the Pleistocene - St.John's (Newfoundland), Canada

Location

St. John's
Canada

Category
Logistics
The position is available at the Glacial Dynamics Group at Memorial University of Newfoundland.
The group has a dedicated 720 core cluster and access to further computational resources through Compute Canada and ACENET.
Associated benefit: the spectacular natural environment of Newfoundland, Canada

Start date: Sept 1/2024
Description
This studentship has two related projects:

Project 1A: History matching (cf https://www.physics.mun.ca/~lev/revCalG.pdf) of a global coupled ice and climate model for the last glacial cycle. From Last Glacial Maximum onward, glacial geology and relative sea level data provide a strong set of constraints which are a challenge to fit. Conversely, prior to LGM, there are much fewer constraints on ice sheet evolution aside from far-field sea level proxies. However there are many more constraints on regional climate from ice core, terrestrial, and marine core records. This history matching will therefore focus on pre-LGM global ice sheet and climate evolution relying more on paleoclimate constraints.

Project 1B: Using the history-matched parameter vectors from project 1A, examine the stability of select glacial cycles of the last 2 million years especially in the context of explaining the mid-Pleistocene transition from approximately 40 kyr glacial cycles to 100 kyr cycles. This will entail analysis of noise sensitivity (eg from large volcanic events), the impact of changing topography due to subglacial erosion and sediment transport, and the testing of simplified carbon cycle representations. These projects will rely on a hierarchy of coupled ice and climate models including the LCice2.0 coupled glacial system model (GSM) and LOVECLIM EMIC (an earlier version was detailed in Bahadory and Tarasov, GMD, 2018, Bahadory et al, CP 2021) as well as a new version coupled to the Plasim GCM (Andres and Tarasov, CP 2019). A key relevant feature of LCice is the state-of-the-art fully coupled sub-glacial sediment processes model in the GSM (cf Drew and Tarasov, https://egusphere.copernicus.org/preprints/2024/egusphere-2024-620/)
Tasks
Applications for this postion are invited from candidates with an interest in modelling ice sheet and climate interactions and Earth Systems science.
Applicants must have their Masters degree in physics, geophysics, applied mathematics, or closely related fields.
They must be fluent in English.
Applicants must also be interested in working in a collaborative environment incomputationally intensive projects.
Requirements
Required Skills:
-Experience in: coding in F90 (or F95), C, or Python; shell scripting; and analysis packages such as OCTAVE/MATLAB, R, CDO,...
-Knowledge of general physics and some exposure to fluid dynamics or continuum mechanics (even better with understanding of geophysical fluid dynamics and/or atmospheric or ocean physics or glaciology)
-Fluency in relevant maths (linear/matrix algebra, partial differential equations, and vector calculus)
-Working familiarity with Linux
Applications
Interested students should contact:
Lev Tarasov
Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography
Memorial University of Newfoundland
St. John's, NL A1B 3X7
lev@mun.ca
https://www.physics.mun.ca/~lev/

include the following:
1. A cover letter including your name, academic status and contact details, as well as the names and contact details of two
faculty advisers from whom confidential letters may be sought.
2. A statement of interest including long-term academic plans, research interests,...
3. A short resume/CV, including a list of courses taken, and grades.
4. A self evaluation of strong and weak research skills, skills you particularly want to develop, and likes and dislikes associated with research and modelling.
Application deadline
Further information
Details of graduate studies in Physics and Physical Oceanography at Memorial University can be found at: https://www.mun.ca/physics/graduate-students/

Interested students should contact:
Lev Tarasov
Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography
Memorial University of Newfoundland
St. John's, NL A1B 3X7
lev@mun.ca
https://www.physics.mun.ca/~lev/

No specific application deadline was mentioned in the information. Please contact Lev Tarasov if you want this information.
Contact email