[ES_JOBS_NET] Three postdoctoral positions in Arctic oceanography at LOCEAN, Paris

[Christophe Herbaut]

Three postdoctoral positions in Arctic oceanography at LOCEAN, Paris

Three full-time postdoctoral research positions in Arctic Oceanography are opened at LOCEAN (Laboratoire d’Océanographie et du Climat). LOCEAN is a CNRS-Sorbonne Université joint research unit with an internationally recognized research skill in oceanography and climate sciences. The candidate will work in a research team with strong interest in polar ocean dynamics and variability, and in close collaboration with partners of several ongoing national and international projects in which the group is involved (H2020 INTAROS and Blue Action, Green Edge, …)

Position 1 : Arctic fresh water 
The candidate will work on the Arctic Ocean fresh water budget and its link to the fresh water outflow to the North Atlantic subpolar gyre. The Arctic Ocean fresh water content (FWC) depends on several sources and sinks which include meteoric water, sea ice melt/growth and lateral convergence of ocean fresh water transports. Evaluating the variability of the Arctic Ocean fresh water budget and how it controls the fresh water outflow to the North Atlantic subpolar gyre is a major issue considering the potential impact of this outflow on the gyre dynamics and the overturning circulation. 
The proposed research will focus on understanding what drives the variability of the Arctic FWC and how this variability relates to the different sources and sinks (including the potential impact of runoff from the Greenland Ice Sheet), and evaluating the role of the ocean circulation in shaping the pathways of the fresh water to the North Atlantic. In particular, the dynamics of the arctic upper layers will be investigated to evaluate their role in the fresh water storage and export out of the Arctic.
The candidate will have access to different ocean-sea ice simulations performed with a regional ice-ocean model (based on the NEMO platform) covering the last four decades. The simulated ocean state and the different sources or mechanisms of variability will be tested against available observations. A set of joint experiments at two different resolutions, eddy- and non eddy-resolving, will be used to test the impact of explicit representation of the mesoscale activity on the fresh water pathways and transports. It is also planned to perform sensitivity 
experiments to test the impact of the fresh water sources (e.g. Greenland meltwater) on these transports.

Position 2 : Atlantic water inflow to the Arctic Ocean
The candidate will work on the dynamics and variability of the Atlantic flow through Fram Strait, a major source of heat for the Arctic Ocean. Large ocean heat loss to the atmosphere and sea ice is observed north of the strait and, beyond, along the northern Svalbard slope, with a major concern being to evaluate how much of this heat loss contributes to the sea ice variability. As a contribution to this topic, the proposed research should help better understand the mechanisms which control the Atlantic water circulation off Svalbard, to evaluate the associated transports to the Arctic Ocean.
Research will focus on understanding the Atlantic Current structure in Fram Strait, and possible implications for recirculating branches, current instabilities and mesoscale eddy generation, and ultimately for the heat transport to the Arctic Ocean. The analysis will use an original dataset of in-situ observations including several glider surveys which are being collected by our group, and outputs from regional eddy resolving simulations performed by the group in the context of the aforementioned projects. These data will possibly be combined with information from available mooring and hydrographic surveys as well as satellite observations. In the context of the on-going INTAROS field programme, the candidate will be involved in the design of the oncoming glider experiments.
Position 3 : Ocean-sea ice interactions in the Nansen basin

The candidate will work on the variability of the Atlantic water boundary current in the Nansen Basin and its further impact on Arctic sea ice. Research will focus on understanding the variability of the Atlantic water properties and transports in the Nansen Basin and how the Atlantic Water changes may impact  the sea ice variability. One of the goal will be to evaluate shelf-slope exchanges, their role in redistributing heat between the boundary current and the deep Nansen Basin or the upper shelf, and their implication in the heat transfer to the surface layer and the sea ice. Based on this analysis, the relative impacts of ocean and atmosphere on the sea ice evolution in the basin will be evaluated. 
Simulations with a regional sea ice –ocean model (based on NEMO platform) will be used to analyze the variability over the recent decades. Observations collected from a set of moorings that we deployed recently over the northern Svalbard slope will support the process analysis.

Qualifications
•	PhD degree (or near-completed) in a relevant discipline (physical oceanography, ocean physics, fluid dynamics, climate sciences,…)
•	Experience with data analysis (welcome but not mandatory).    
•	Written and oral communication skills 
•	Ability to communicate and collaborate with colleagues
•	Autonomy 

The positions are offered for one year, but renewal for one more year is possible. An early starting date will be appreciated 
For more information, please contact Marie-Noëlle Houssais (mnh at locean-ipsl.upmc.fr) and  Christophe Herbaut (ch at locean-ipsl.upmc.fr).
Candidates may be asked to provide contact information for professional references.