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We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

We seek to recruit a Research Associate in Glaciology, as part of a 6-year European Research Council funded project: AdaptAIR, based at the University of Sheffield, King’s College London and the University of Guelph. AdaptAIR aims to study the implementation of Artificial Ice Reservoirs (AIRs) across the Indian Himalaya. AIRs are large bodies of ice created to seasonally store water by pumping groundwater into the air during winter. Communities in the rural Himalaya are becoming increasingly reliant on AIRs for water, as supplies from glaciers diminish. However, little is known about the long-term climatological feasibility and socioeconomic impacts of AIRs. AdaptAIR is an interdisciplinary team, seeking to integrate science and social science to create a new framework for AIR installation.

Your role will be to provide the historical context of glacier change in this region. You will primarily use satellite remote sensing to pursue this aim, but you will also organise and, if desired, participate in fieldwork deploying monitoring equipment in the region. Importantly, you will work within a highly interdisciplinary environment. You will work closely with other researchers on the project, including glacier and climate modellers, and a researcher seeking to reconstruct glacier extent from missionary archives. Ongoing co-design of the research may shift the research questions and direction of the project, based on findings such as the perception of climate change in the region, and the cultural/socioeconomic importance of specific regions. The project will also provide time and support to develop your skills and publications as an early career researcher, including mentoring, peer feedback, and a writing retreat targeted at early career team members.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Collate remotely sensed datasets for the study region into a geodatabase.
• Apply remote sensing techniques to reconstruct glacier and volume over the last ~250 years, using geomorphological data, and satellite imagery.
• Apply photogrammetric techniques to archival satellite imagery to derive glacier mass balance.
• Develop and plan fieldwork plans for the installation of monitoring equipment, in collaboration with the project team.
• Attend team and project meetings as required.
• Collaborate with others on the project, notably the other PDRAs working on climate and hydrological modelling.
• Disseminate research findings through publication in leading peer-review journals, and at national and international conferences.
• Lead and contribute to the preparation of papers for journals/presentations at national/international conferences or seminars to disseminate research findings.
• Read academic papers, journals and textbooks and attend conferences to keep abreast of developments.
• There may be scope for other related research, some of which you may bring with you.
• If desired, there are opportunities to undertake fieldwork.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Grade: 7.3-7.5

Duration: 01/07/2026 to 30/06/2029

Line manager: Project Principal Investigator

Direct reports: Project coPrincipal Investigators, Head of School

For informal enquiries about this job contact Dr Jeremy Ely, Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography: on j.ely@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in the week commencing 27th April 2026. This will consist of an interview, starting with a 10-minute presentation on your research to date. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 13/04/26. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact gpl-ops@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date : 02/04/2026 

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.