PhD Student in Historical Climatology
Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 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/)
The Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (NCU) was founded in 1945. It is one of the largest universities in Poland, currently comprising 16 faculties (including 3 medical faculties at Collegium Medicum UMK in Bydgoszcz). It provides graduate and postgraduate courses for 18 331 students, offering education in over 100 fields of study and 55 postgraduate courses. The university employs 4453 staff on both Toruń and Bydgoszcz campuses, over half of whom are academic teachers. NCU alumni now number around 200 000.
NCU has state-of-the-art research infrastructure including the National Laboratory of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics (FAMO), the Center for Quantum Optics and the Interdisciplinary Center for Modern Technologies to name but a few, as well as modern teaching facilities comprising, among others, Collegium Humanisticum and the brand new University Sports Centre. The Centre for Astronomy in Piwnice near Toruń houses a unique 32-meter radio telescope. Spitsbergen (in the Arctic Sea) is home to NCU Polar Station. The university has also organized the Polish Historical Mission at the University of Würzburg. NCU researchers can boast a number of spectacular successes which include, among others, the design and construction of an Optical Coherence Tomography instrument, an ultra-modern device for medical eye examinations.
NCU took part in the competition of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education “Excellence Initiative – Research University” and – as one of 10 Polish universities – has obtained the status of a research university. The objective of the “Excellence Initiative ¬ Research University” programme is to select and support the best Polish universities, which will be able to successfully compete with foreign institutions in the coming years. Research universities will receive a 10% higher subsidy in the years 2020-2026 for activities improving the quality of research and education. The programme is one of the most important measures undertaken as part of the reform of higher education and science in Poland.
The university participates in student and staff exchange programs at both international (the Erasmus+ program, YUFE) and national (the MOST program) levels. It develops studies in cooperation with universities abroad and is currently collaborating with the university in Angers (economics). Since 2020 NCU has been a member of Young Universities for the Future of Europe alliance (YUFE) – one of the first European Universities. This partnership aims to establish a new model of higher education engaging students, staff, citizens, and businesses, providing rich and various offer all can benefit from. Exchanging programs allow NCU community to take part in initiatives organised in 10 European countries both in physical and virtual form at the same time inviting foreigners to get more acquainted with NCU.
The University Library holds an imposing collection of nearly 3 million printed volumes, periodicals and special collection items. NCU campus hosts the Academic Centre for Arts and Culture ‘Od Nowa’, one of the oldest students’ clubs in Poland.
This has contributed to the Nicolaus Copernicus University’s position as one of the five best universities in Poland and it is also the reason why QS World University Ranking has placed NCU in the top 4% of universities in the world.
Homepage: https://www.geo.umk.pl/en/
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)
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://extremeweather.umk.pl/pages/main_page/?lang=en).
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 SeptemberApplications 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