Postdoctoral Fellow/Research Fellow: Sea Ice Observations

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DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS - TE TARI HŪ-0-TE-KŌHAO

About our team | Mō te tīma

The University of Otago, established in 1869, has a long and distinguished tradition of teaching and research. The Physics Department of the University of Otago was the first Physics Department established in New Zealand. Today, the Department embraces innovative teaching methods, promotes a vigorous research ethos, and is committed both to Physics as a discipline and to its applications. Our key objectives are to provide students with the highest quality education, and to produce research of international excellence. The Department of Physics at the University of Otago has a vibrant research environment, with strength in sea ice physics and geoscience research as well pure and applied physics, electronics and energy studies.

The role | Te mahi

This Postdoctoral Fellow/Research Fellow position is an exciting opportunity for an early career sea ice researcher to join one of the world’s leading sea ice observational research groups to collaborate on the systematically compiling sea ice, pack ice observations from the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research’s sea ice expert group Antarctic Sea Ice Processes and Climate (ASPeCt) and fast ice records through the Antarctic Fast ice Network (AFIN).

The position is part of SYNCHRONY (Synchronous Southern Ocean Observatory), a Horizon Europe project advancing a coordinated, multidisciplinary and sustainable observing system for the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. SYNCHRONY contributes to Antarctica InSync, a broader international initiative coordinating circumpolar and year-round observations to strengthen our understanding of the Antarctic environment.

As a Postdoctoral Fellow/Research Fellow, you will be joining a multidisciplinary, international research team of physicists, climate modellers, oceanographers, and atmospheric scientists contributing to Antarctica InSync. You will play a central role in delivering the compilations of sea ice observational data. This will involve working closely with Dr Smith and international collaborators from the SYNCHRONY project.

Your skills and experience | Kā pūkeka me kā wheako

The successful applicant must have:
•    A PhD (or equivalent) already awarded, with the thesis and/or international peer-reviewed publications in sea ice physics or a related physical sciences discipline such as oceanography, remote sensing, or meteorology.
•    Excellent data management and computing skills.
•    The ability to engage with and work with a wide variety of international researchers and stakeholders in the compilation of disparate sea ice observational data.
•    The ability to work without direct supervision, set priorities and manage their own time effectively in order to achieve the goals of the project whilst maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
•    A willingness to engage in two-way discussions related to Vision Mātauranga. Taiao (environmental sustainability) is a core part of Vision Mātauranga\: https\://www.mbie.govt.nz/assets/9916d28d7b/vision-matauranga-booklet.pdf. 
•    A willingness and the ability to support PhD, MSc, honours, and/or summer research students who may be involved with the project.

Preferred qualities for the successful applicant are:
•    Sea ice related fieldwork experience in Antarctica and/or the Southern Ocean.
•    Familiarity with ASPeCt and/or AFIN protocols and data sets

Further details | Pūroko

This position is part-time (0.8 FTE), fixed-term appointment for one year based in Dunedin. The hours of work are negotiable with the successful candidate; however, candidates needing a work visa will be required to work 0.8 FTE. Candidates with the right to live and work in New Zealand may be able to negotiate reduced hours of work, which would proportionately extend the duration of the fixed-term appointment.

The salary for Postdoctoral Fellow is $92,350 per annum (pro-rata).
The salary range for Research Fellow is $97,377 - $114,943 per annum (pro-rata).

Appointment level will be determined by the candidate’s academic achievements, skills, and experience.

Specific enquiries may be directed to Professor Inga Smith, Department of Physics via the contact details below:

Application | Tono

Candidates are requested to submit:

•    A copy of your full CV including a list of publications.
•    A one-page cover letter detailing how your skills and experience match those required for the position and why you are interested in the position.
•    Names and contact details of three referees.

Additional material may be requested for short-listed applicants but should not be submitted at the initial application stage.

To submit your application, please click the apply button. Applications quoting reference number 2601245 will close at 11\:59PM NZST on Sunday, 20th September 2026.

Additional Information 

Note\: As a part-time position, the salary range for this role will be the pro-rata equivalent of the annual full-time salary range listed.

Contact: Professor Inga Smith

Position details: Information Statement

Guidelines for Academic Positions: Guidelines

Further Information: Department Website

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Location: About Dunedin