Centre for Climate Change Research

Phd position available

2022-08-10

Job offer

Institution: Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management (https://www.geo.umk.pl/en/) and Centre for Climate Change Research (CCCR, https://cccr.umk.pl/)

Position: PhD Student

Required attributes:

The successful candidate will have:

  • university science degree (MSc) in environmental sciences, physical geography, climatology, or related areas;
  • very good communication skills in English, both spoken and written (confirmend by B2 level certificate);
  • experience in statistical analyses;
  • good skills in compiling, correcting, processing and analysing meteorological historical data series;
  • background in historical and current meteorological measurement techniques;
  • strong GIS and cartographic skills;
  • strong analytical skills;
  • an inquisitive mind-set, attention to accuracy, creativity and self-reliance;
  • high motivation for research work.
  • A sense of humour and a smile are appreciated.

The assessment will emphasise motivation, and academic and personal suitability for the position and the research project. Emphasis will be put on potential for research as shown by the Master’s thesis and any other academic works. In addition, we may consider work experience, teaching qualifications or other activities of significance to PhD studies.

The applicant should be creative, with a strongly problem-oriented, and enjoy working in collaboration with others. Furthermore, the applicant must be willing to engage in the ongoing development of the discipline and the university as a whole.

Tasks and responsibilities:

1 position concerning climatology or bioclimatology:

Collecting data in European archives and libraries, digitising and quality control of early instrumental meteorological data (mainly temperature and pressure) for the area of Arctic (Greenland and Labrador Peninsula) and their recalculation to the currently used thermometric and pressure units,

Constructing an electronic historical database containing all metadata, digitised data and photocopies of sources containing meteorological data from the Moravian missionaries’ observations,

Reconstruction of Greenland and the Labrador Peninsula's climatic or bioclimatic conditions in the early instrumental period (1771–1939) using the available sub-daily, daily, monthly, seasonal and annual means,

Comparison of the contemporary weather and climate or bioclimate conditions of Greenland and the Labrador Peninsula, with this one which prevailed in the early instrumental period in order to determine the direction and rate of its changes.

Interpretation of results, preparation of scientific articles, presentation of results at conferences and scientific meetings.

Type of NCN tender: OPUS – ST10
Deadline for applications: 05 September 2022, 23:59
Apply by email to: rp11@umk.pl (climate)andy@umk.pl (bioclimate)

Conditions of employment:

The positions will initially be offered for one year (from October 1, 2022) and will be renewed for a further 3 years (maximally) by mutual agreement based on PhD candidate progress in the preparation of a doctoral dissertation and research.

Remuneration will be in the form of a doctoral scholarship in the amount of 5000 PLN per month (minus social security overheads required by Polish law, circa 3600 PLN netto)

Additional information:

The PhD thesis will be carried out as part of the project entitled “Reconstructions of Climatic and Bioclimatic Conditions in Greenland and Labrador/Nunatsiavut ca. 1770 to 1939 from Moravian Missionary Observations (MORCLIM)” (see short description of the project at National Science Centre, Poland).

See also the project website

We are open to applicants from all over the world.

The recruitment procedures for the PhD student position will be in accordance with "REGULATIONS FOR AWARDING NCN SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NCN-FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS” (https://www.ncn.gov.pl/sites/default/files/pliki/uchwaly-rady/2019/uchwala25_2019-zal1_ang.pdf )

Recruitment stages:

  1. Interview with the research project team (online or contact form) - by appointment
  2. Successful candidates will be then interviewed by the Interview Committee of the Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University (https://www.phd.umk.pl/en/ast/) - end of September 2022

Applications must include:

  • Application and motivation letter (maximum 1–2 pages),
  • Curriculum vitae (maximum two pages),
  • Diploma for Master's degree,
  • Transcript of grades/academic record for Master's degree,
  • Explanation of the grading system for foreign education (Diploma Supplement if available),
  • Documentation of English proficiency (B2 level),
  • At least one reference, preferably including the Master's thesis supervisor,
  • Publication record.

All documents should be submitted in the pdf format to the future supervisors:

Climate: Professor Rajmund Przybylak (see https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rajmund-Przybylak or https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4101-6116) to email address: rp11@umk.pl

Bioclimate: dr. hab. Andrzej Araźny professor NCU (see https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Andrzej-Arazny to email address: andy@umk.pl

Przemysław Wyszyński
Centre for Climate Change Research