"Postdoctoral Researcher in Physics-Informed Machine Learning for Ice Sheet Modeling"

Job Details

Description

The Ice Future Lab in the Department of Earth Sciences at Dartmouth College invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher with expertise in ice sheet numerical modeling and machine learning. This is a 2-year full-time position with possibility to extend to three years, preferably starting April 2026, and is funded by the NSF Collaborations in Artificial Intelligence and Geosciences program in collaboration with the Astera Institute. The position is based at Dartmouth College, with primary advising and support provided by the Ice Future Lab.

The project is focusing on developing next-generation, physics-informed AI tools to better understand and predict the contribution of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets to sea-level rise. Using the open-source PINNICLE framework, we fuse multi-sensor remote sensing data into a model-ready, “living” data product that provides physically consistent, mesh-free fields of ice geometry, flow, and basal conditions for both ice sheets. We also use physics-informed neural networks and Bayesian uncertainty quantification to learn new, data-constrained parameterizations of basal sliding and iceberg calving at major Greenland outlet glaciers and assess how these processes control future ice loss under different climate scenarios. The work will directly interface with leading ice-sheet models and international intercomparison efforts, producing open datasets, software, and projections that reduce key uncertainties in sea-level rise estimates.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Develop and apply physics‐informed neural networks to fuse multi-sensor remote sensing data into a data product for the Greenland and Antarctic.
• Design, implement, and evaluate machine-learned parameterizations of basal sliding and iceberg calving.
• Maintain and extend open-source software PINNICLE, including reproducible workflows, documentation, and example notebooks for the broader glaciology and AI communities.
• Collaborate closely with an interdisciplinary team, contribute to community training activities such as the Glaciology and Machine Learning Summer School.
• Presenting research findings at national and international conferences and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals.

Postdoctoral researchers are advised and hosted in the Department of Earth Sciences. They are also supported by the Guarini School for Graduate and Advanced Studies, including their community initiatives.

Dartmouth is committed to academic excellence and encourages the open exchange of ideas within a culture of mutual respect. Dartmouth welcomes people with different backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives and believes that diversity in all its forms enhances academic excellence. Applicants should address in their cover letter how their research, teaching, service, and/or life experiences prepare them to serve Dartmouth’s commitment to academic excellence in an environment that is welcoming to all.

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in Earth Sciences, Glaciology, Climate Science, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, or a closely related field, or ABD with degree received by the start date.
• Strong experience in numerical modeling of ice dynamics and/or machine learning methods, particularly with neural networks.
• Programming experience in Python or other relevant languages.
• Proficiency with ice sheet modeling software, and experience working with large geospatial datasets are preferred.
• Familiarity with remote sensing datasets relevant to glacier and ocean studies, as well as skills in data assimilation and model calibration.
• Strong track record of relevant publications in peer reviewed journals.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Application Instructions

Please submit the following materials electronically via Interfolio:

1. Cover letter
2. CV, including contact information for three references.

Review of applications will begin on January 15, 2026; applications submitted after this date will be reviewed until the position is filled. Recommendation letters will be requested for finalists only. For questions about the position, please contact Dr. Cheng Gong (ong.cheng@dartmouth.edu) with “PINNICLE postdoc” in the subject line.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all.

Dartmouth is committed to accessibility for its community. If you are an applicant with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation to aid in the job application and/or interview process, please email: ADA@Dartmouth.edu. In the subject line, please state application accommodations and include the job number or title. Someone from the ADA/504 Office will be in touch within 2 business days.

For additional employment opportunities at Dartmouth College, please visit the Dartmouth Interfolio Job Board, the Office of the Provost, and the Office of Human Resources.

Offers of employment are contingent upon consent to a pre-employment background check with results acceptable under Dartmouth policy. Please visit the Dartmouth policy portal for faculty handbooks and details of other Dartmouth policies.