About the project or challenge area

The University of Bristol is a global leader in large-scale glacier modelling, spearheading the development of the Open Global Glacier Model (OGGM, http://oggm.org). Our research focuses on three key areas:
(1) advancing the OGGM model by incorporating new physical processes such as melt-enhancing feedbacks and lake-terminating calving;
(2) designing innovative strategies for model initialization, calibration, and validation, drawing on techniques from machine learning and data assimilation, with a focus either on data collection (Earth Observation) or model development;
(3) applying the model to address pressing questions on glacier change, including contributions to sea-level rise, impacts on mountain water resources, and glacier-related hazards such as lake outburst floods.

We welcome applications from students interested in any of these areas. Projects will be shaped around the student’s skills, interests, and career goals to ensure a meaningful and timely research experience. Students will also be part of the broader OGGM community (http://community.oggm.org), with opportunities to engage in open science, collaborate internationally, and contribute to an impactful and growing research effort.

Why choose this project?

Depending on the research area, the student will be partnered with the following institutions/projects:
- The ESA funded "Digital Twin Component for Glaciers" project: https://dtcglaciers.org
- The Earth Observation company EarthWave in Edinburgh: https://earthwave.co.uk
- The OGGM community: https://community.oggm.org

About you

The skills required will depend on the research area you are most interested in.
For Research Area 1 (Glacier Modelling) and Area 2 (Model Calibration and Data Assimilation), we are looking for students with a strong interest in numerical modelling and a willingness to learn or develop skills in scientific programming (using Python).
For Research Area 3 (Impacts and Applications), an interest in glacier and climate change topics is most important. We can tailor the project to suit your background—whether that’s in geography, climate science, or another relevant field.

How to apply

All students can apply using the button below, following the Admissions Statement. Please note that this project requires a research statement - for further guidance, please see Section B of the Research Statement template (Office document, 74kB). 

This project is not funded, for further details please use this link.

Before applying, we recommend getting in touch with the project's supervisors. If you are interested in this project and would like to learn more about the research you will be undertaking, please use the contact details on this page.