ERC-Funded Postdoctoral Positions in Natural Hazards (2 positions)

European Geosciences Union; Uppsala kommun; On-site; SEK 390,600 - 502,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Prestigious ERC Funding

Career Development

Excellent Working Conditions

Job summary

Uppsala University is offering two ERC-funded postdoctoral positions in Natural Hazards, focused on glacier instabilities and volcanic eruptions. Successful candidates will develop models to understand and forecast catastrophic failures in geophysical systems.

Applicants should hold a PhD in relevant fields and possess strong programming skills. The project emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, providing an opportunity to engage with leading researchers globally.

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in mathematics, mechanics, and physics.
• Substantial experience in scientific programming and computational modelling.
• Evidence of research excellence through peer-reviewed publications.

Responsibilities

• Develop physics-based modelling approaches for understanding geomaterials.
• Investigate mechanisms governing failure precursors and instability evolution.
• Co-supervise PhD students and contribute to ERC research programme development.

Skills

Scientific programming

Computational modelling

Mathematics

Physics

Education

PhD in geomechanics, geophysics, physics, mathematics, or engineering

Job description

ERC‑Funded Postdoctoral Positions in Natural Hazards (2 positions)

Employer

Uppsala University, Department of Earth Sciences

The Department of Earth Sciences is Sweden's most comprehensive academic environment for research and education in geoscience. It offers a broad range of expertise that can contribute to solving important societal issues.

Earth is a dynamic and constantly changing planet. To understand how this planet works, our researchers seek answers in the field, through laboratory experiments and advanced models. Our research and education cover a wide range of disciplines, including rocks and minerals, weather and climate, the evolution of life, natural disasters, wind power and energy, environmental and water engineering, and sustainable development.

Our research combines natural sciences and technology with social sciences and is often interdisciplinary. More than 300 people from over 30 countries work at the department, both in Uppsala and at Campus Gotland.

Research Fields

• Geophysics
• Air, Water and Landscape Science
• Mineralogy, Petrology and Tectonics
• Natural Resources and Sustainable Development
• Palaeobiology
• Wind Energy

The successful candidate will join the research program Air, Water and Landscape Sciences (LUVAL).

Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Petrology & Volcanology (GMPV)

Geodynamics (GD)

Natural Hazards (NH)

Type

Full time

Level

Entry level

Preferred education

PhD

14 August 2026

Posted

The research will be conducted within an ERC Consolidator Grant project (FORECAST) at Uppsala University focused on advancing next‑generation prediction science for geohazards through an interdisciplinary framework integrating geomechanics, geophysics, statistical physics, and data‑driven modelling. The project addresses a wide range of natural hazards, including landslides, rockbursts, glacier instabilities, and volcanic eruptions, with the aim of improving our ability to diagnose and forecast catastrophic failure in complex geophysical systems. The postdoctoral researchers will join a dynamic international research team and collaborate with leading researchers and international partners working on geohazard forecasting and risk mitigation. More information about the ERC project FORECAST can be found at: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101232311.

What we offer

• Prestigious ERC Funding – Join a well‑funded ERC Consolidator Grant with a long‑term research vision.
• Frontier Research – Work on next‑generation prediction science for catastrophic natural hazards.
• Interdisciplinary Environment – Collaborate across geomechanics, geophysics, statistical physics, and data science.
• International Network – Engage with leading researchers and international partners.
• Research Independence – Develop your own ideas within a dynamic and supportive research team.
• Career Development – Receive mentorship in publishing, grant writing, and academic career progression.
• Leadership Experience – Co‑supervise PhD students and contribute to the development of the ERC programme.
• Excellent Working Conditions – Benefit from advanced research infrastructure, including high‑performance computing resources, and enjoy the high quality of life offered by Uppsala University.

Duties

The postdoctoral projects will focus on developing physics‑based modelling approaches for understanding, diagnosing, and forecasting progressive to catastrophic failure processes in geomaterials at site scale.

Two postdoctoral positions are available: one focusing primarily on glacier instabilities and the other on volcanic eruptions. The projects will combine theoretical modelling, statistical physics, numerical simulations, and monitoring data to investigate the mechanisms governing failure precursors, instability evolution, and predictability in geophysical systems.

The postdoctoral researchers will also have opportunities to co‑supervise PhD students working on related topics, including landslides and rockbursts, and contribute to the broader development of the ERC research programme.

Requirements

• PhD degree in geomechanics, geophysics, physics, mathematics, or engineering (or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD in the abovementioned fields). The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment. Priority will be given to applicants who have completed their degree no more than three years before the deadline for applications. (Special circumstances may allow earlier completion.)
• Strong foundation in mathematics, mechanics, and physics.
• Substantial experience in scientific programming and computational modelling.
• Evidence of research excellence through peer‑reviewed publications.
• Ability to conduct independent research while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary and international research team.
• Creativity, enthusiasm, and research acumen are highly valued.

About the employment

2 positions – The employment is a temporary position of 3 years according to central collective agreement. Full time position. Starting date 1st February 2027 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala.

How to apply

The application should include a CV (with a full publication list), PhD degree certificate, PhD thesis, and other relevant documents, as well as the contact details of two referees.

In this recruitment we have replaced the cover letter with questions that you are asked to answer when making your application. The answers will be used as part of the selection process.

Submit your application through Uppsala University's recruitment system.