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 the 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, 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:
- Construct a GIS database of all studied Weather and Climate event (WCs) in Poland from the 11th to 18th century describing thermal conditions (e.g. severe frost, cold and warm waves, cold and warm winters and summers) gathered in the project for the area of Poland in current borders using documentary evidence and early instrumental observations.
- Calibrating information about the occurrence and intensity of some types of WCs identified using historical sources against early instrumental measurements carried out in the 18th century.
- Analysing the frequency and intensity of various types of WCs in the period from the 11th to the 18th century and determining trends across centuries, spatial coverage, synoptic causes and socio-economic consequences. Describing in detail particular extreme (catastrophic) events and reconstructing their temporal and spatial coverage.
- Identifying similarities and differences between the historical and modern-day occurrence and character of WCs in Poland, and comparing historical results from Poland with analogous ones available for Europe, and in particular for Central Europe.
Type of NCN tender: OPUS – ST10
Deadline for applications: 15 September 2024, 23:59
Apply by email to: rp11@umk.pl
Conditions of employment:
The position will initially be offered for one year (from October 1, 2024) and will be renewed for a further 3 years (maximally) by mutual agreement based on PhD candidate's 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 “The occurrence of extreme weather, climate and water events in Poland from the 11th to 18th centuries in the light of multiproxy data” (see short description of the project at https://cccr.umk.pl/?task=news&action=one&id=5).
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:
- Interview with the research project team (online or contact form) - 18 September 2024
- 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/) – second half of September
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 supervisor 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