Emprego

The glaciology group at CEAZA (Center of Advanced Research in Arid Zones, Universidad de La Serena, Chile) consists of 7 research scientists focusing on evaluating and monitoring water resources from the cryosphere in the arid Andes of north-central Chile. We are seeking a post doctoral researcher with skills and experience in cryospheric science or hydrology to join our team, which consists of glaciologists, meteorologists and GIS experts.

Our research consists of work spanning a broad range of cryospheric science, including snow cover and albedo mapping, glaciological, energy balance and permafrost studies, the results of which we seek to understand in the context of their climatological controls and their role in regional
hydrological resources.

You will have:
• A PhD in glaciology or in hydrology
• Ability to work well in a diverse team
• Ability to develop research ideas independently

Experience in any of the following areas is desirable:
• Modelling experience: use of programming languages, execution of sensitivity tests, designing model structure etc.
• Programming and management of meteorological stations and other instrumental monitoring systems

Practical details:
• The position is available from the February 1st 2009
• The duration of the appointment is 18 months
• Net salary is 12 000 000 Chilean pesos per year. Plus, each day of field work is paid at 30 000 pesos, adding about 1 500 000 pesos per year
• Applications should be written in English or Spanish and include
   - A curriculum vitae including a numbered list of publications
   - A research statement detailing relevant experience and how you plan to apply your skills within the research framework outlined below (no more than 2 pages)
  - PhD diploma and other documents showing degrees and former positions relevant for this position.

Research framework of glaciology group of CEAZA:
Since 2007, CEAZA has developed a glacier research program studying 9 glaciers in the arid Andes. This monitoring includes mass balance, energy balance, and hydrological balance, to establish glacier/climate relationships and the hydrological resource associated with glaciers. Field work involves managing meteorological stations, eddy correlation systems, streamflow gauging stations, snow pit studies, measurements and maintenance of mass balance stake networks, and design and execution of small scale ablation process studies. Our work includes glaciers within the boundaries of the Pascua Lama Mine project, where we are involved in assessing any impact the mine activities may have on the glaciers.

Data manipulation and modelling involves working with field data collected and in addition with regional reanalysis and modeled climate data

Modelling work includes point and distributed surface energy balance, including comparison of mass, surface energy and hydrological balances for glaciers. We also work with catchment scale hydrological models such as TOPKAPI to understand the hydrological role of snow and ice.

Remote sensing work involves, MODIS, ASTER and IKONOS images for determining snow extents and surface albedo. We also work using IDL codes to determine distributed glacier albedo from terrestrial photography.

The glacier team is well resourced, both in terms of field equipment and computing facilities. The Arid Andes of Chile offer huge research potential as the cryosphere in this region remains relatively unstudied, despite its role in providing hydrological resources to this semi arid zone. Particular problems to address include: (1) the formation of penitents and their impact on the energy balance; (2) the role of permafrost stores in the hydrological cycle; (3) climatic controls on snowfall amount and distribution

CEAZA is a scientific consortium, established in 2003 (http://ceaza.cl), dedicated to studying the impact of climatic change and oscillations (e.g. ENSO) upon the hydrological cycle and the biological productivity in the arid zones of Northern-Central Chile. The successful applicant will work as part of a glaciological group that is focused on evaluating the water resources from the cryosphere. The glaciology unit forms part of the Hydrology and Modeling group at CEAZA.

Further information on CEAZA can be found at:
http://www.ceaza.cl/index.php

Further information on the Hydrology and Modeling group can be found at:
http://ceaza.cl/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=7&Itemid=52

For further information about the expected area of work, the glaciology group, or CEAZA, please do not hesitate to contact Lindsey Nicholson
( Este endereço de e-mail está protegido contra spam bots, pelo que o JavaScript terá de estar activado para que possa visualizar o endereço de e-mail ).

Applications should be submitted by email to:
Claudio Vasquez, Manager of CEAZA ( Este endereço de e-mail está protegido contra spam bots, pelo que o JavaScript terá de estar activado para que possa visualizar o endereço de e-mail ), with a copy to Christophe Kinnard ( Este endereço de e-mail está protegido contra spam bots, pelo que o JavaScript terá de estar activado para que possa visualizar o endereço de e-mail )