2-year cryoseismology postdoctoral researcher position at the Institute of Seismology University of Helsinki

The Institute of Seismology at the University of Helsinki ISUH invites applications for a 2-year position of a postdoctoral researcher in Seismology. The successful candidate is expected to conduct original research for the Research Council of Finland-supported DYNALake project that aims to monitor and image lake ice dynamics and properties of a subarctic lake environment. The public description of the project is reproduced below. The post involves collaboration with and supervision of an ISUH project PhD candidate, and collaboration with researchers at the Universities of Helsinki (Jilbert, Loehr), Grenoble Alpes (Moreau), and Stockholm (Stranne). Research tasks include the analysis of records from a geophone array and a distributed acoustic sensing system using machine learning techniques for icequake signal detection and discrimination, and icequake and passive tomography imaging of the lake ice sheet. We expect synergies with the FAME flagship community for learning and method development. The ability to start the post before the planned instrument deployment in February 2025 can be a selection criterion.

Applicants should send a single pdf document including a motivation letter with reference to an academic supervisor and a CV to the project PI Prof. G. Hillers (bit.ly/HILatHEL, gregor.hillers@helsinki.fi) no later than Friday, 4 October August 2024. The position remains open until filled.

About the project The structural properties of subarctic lake ice are influenced by meteorological and environmental factors including ebullition of greenhous gases from the lake sediment. We install 300 seismic sensors on and around Lake Pääjärvi, 100 km north of Helsinki, to record the elastic waves propagating in the ice sheet. Using seismic methods we study the dynamic ice response to environmental drivers, yielding high-resolution icequake distributions indicative of ice deformation patterns. Supported by water sampling and sounding we aim to resolve the variation of degassing methane that interacts with the ice to explore the applicability of seismic lake ice tomography for improved estimates of greenhouse gas emissions. The DYNALake project contributes to safe commercial and recreational participation in seasonal cryo environments, and opens new ways for climate monitoring.