The U.S. National/Naval Ice Center (NIC) seeks to fill a postdoctoral fellowship position, through the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research Visiting Scientist Programs, to assist in the development and implementation of new sea ice forecasting techniques. The NIC is a primary source of ice charts for U.S. agencies in support of assets that include ice-breaking ships, submarines, commercial shipping, and scientific research vessels. These charts provide information regarding ice concentration, ice type, and thickness estimates for both the Arctic and Antarctic. Ice thickness is one of the most critical variables present on the NIC charts as it is important for safety of navigation in Arctic seas yet one of the most elusive to observe or estimate, particularly using remote sensing observations.
The NICs current method of identifying ice types and inserting ice thickness information into the charts relies upon the analysis of multi-sensor remote sensing data and the use of an empirical model developed by Gerson and Perchal (1973). This model predicts ice thickness based upon a simple freezing degree day accumulation formula (Zubov, 1943). In addition to needing accurate ice thickness measurements, the NIC needs an improved method to produce a 30-day forecast of ice conditions. Currently the NIC has no objective way of producing an ice forecast and primarily utilizes an analog method, i.e., an ice analyst looks at the overall global hemispheric ice coverage and finds a similar month from past records.
UCAR offers up to a two-year collaborative research opportunity for the analysis of new observations from ice mass balance buoys, and other remote sensing and in-situ sea ice observations to validate the Gerson and Perchal (1973) ice thickness model and to exploit the significant lag correlations found between variations in atmospheric circulation and sea ice concentration to produce long range forecasts of Arctic sea ice conditions. This project is collaborative research between the NIC and the Polar Science Center, University of Washington. The position is located just outside Washington DC in Suitland, MD.
Requirements: Applicants should have a recent Ph.D. in meteorology, oceanography, or a related discipline. A strong working knowledge of statistical analysis, remote sensing, ice physics and ice modeling is required. The NIC Science and Applied Technology Department currently works in a Linux and Windows development environment. Preference will be given to individuals with prior data assimilation experience.
Employment: The postdoctoral fellow appointed to this position will be an employee of UCAR and subject to and covered by UCAR policies with respect to all personnel matters. The appointment carries a fixed annual salary. UCAR benefits include health and dental insurance, sick and annual leave, paid holidays, mandatory participation in a retirement fund (TIAA/CREF), and life insurance.
Application: The application review process has begun and the position will remain open until filled. To apply, send the following materials to UCAR/VSP:
- A cover letter identifying this position
- Curriculum Vitae with a list of publications, technical reports and professional presentations
- Names and addresses of three professional references (applicants should request letters be sent to UCAR/VSP as soon as possible)
- Ph.D. or Masters thesis title(s) and abstract(s)
- One to two page statement of experience and interests as related to goals of this position
Send application materials to:
Meg Austin, Director
UCAR Visiting Scientist Programs
P.O. Box 3000
Boulder, CO 80307‑3000 USA
For further information on this and other UCAR Visiting Scientist Programs, call 303‑497‑8649, send email to vspatucar.edu, or visit website: http://www.vsp.ucar.edu
