Whenever there are any new positions available at the ICOS or related communities we will announce it on this page.
If you have information about related open vacancies, please email ICOS Communications at icos-comms (at) icos-ri.eu
Open positions in the ICOS field
Research Scientist - Autonomous Sensors for Ocean Carbon, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, UK (deadline 3rd December 2025)
Our team of 35 interdisciplinary engineers and scientists is looking for someone to join us in developing custom sensors and instruments for ocean observations. Our group has an excellent track record in developing and deploying in-situ instrumentation, generating new knowledge and contributing to our understanding of the global Ocean.
We are seeking a motivated scientist to undertake the development, optimisation and application of high-performance analytical chemistry techniques for marine autonomous carbonate sensor systems. Working with a wider team of engineers, research staff, technical staff and students, you will undertake the development and optimisation of new and innovative sensors for marine carbonate chemistry parameters such as pH, dissolved inorganic carbon, total alkalinity and partial pressure of CO2. These sensors will be deployed widely in the environment including marine autonomous platforms and fixed monitoring stations. They will provide data for use in environmental and climate modelling, in industrial applications such as Carbon Capture and Storage and carbon dioxide removal and for improving our understanding of the Ocean’s carbon cycle.
You will work with the wider Ocean Technology and Engineering group to optimise prototype in situ systems and the analytical techniques they employ. You will disseminate this work internally and externally through training, documentation, peer reviewed publications, patents and licensing agreements with companies. You will support others in the group through training, analytical support, fieldwork, administrative functions and supervision of students and junior staff as required.
The team has access to world class analytical laboratories, fabrication, testing and design facilities together with access to sea going and polar research logistics.
About you
We seek applicants who can work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams, with expertise in seawater analysis and the ability to rapidly learn and become expert in new techniques. A Bachelors or Master’s Degree and PhD in Marine Chemistry, Oceanography or closely related discipline is required. Prior theoretical knowledge of marine carbonate chemistry and practical experience in carbonate chemistry analysis are also essential. You will have a portfolio of work, including publications in leading journals demonstrating your ability to deliver solutions to complex measurement problems and to quickly master new techniques.
Why NOC?
We offer a generous set of benefits, including:
- 30 days contractual annual leave, plus 3.5 extra closure days and bank holidays
- a 10% employer contribution pension scheme
- financial support for relocation
- access to our Employee Assistance Programme, offering free and anonymous support on mental, physical, emotional, health and financial issues
- access to a flexible benefits portal offering online discounts, cashback and eGift cards
- a Cycle2Work scheme allowing employees to acquire bikes and accessories
- a great working environment with a number of social events, including summer and Christmas celebrations
- we are proud to be a Living Wage Employer
Location
This position will be based in Southampton. The centre is well connected by public transport and has ample cycle parking in addition to free onsite car-parking with over 40 EV charging points.
We have a hybrid working approach where for most positions staff can work from home up to 2 days per week. If you are interested in this position, but require a more flexible working arrangement, please contact the recruitment team using the contact details below.
Deadline for applications is 3rd December 2025.
Postdoctoral fellow in earth observation, Lund University, Sweden (deadline 17th November 2025)
Wildfire frequency and severity is expected to increase in the future due to anthropogenic climate change. With the combined effects of climate change, an increasing human population and the associated land use changes, it is fundamental to understand the patterns, drivers and effects of vegetation fires in order to prevent fires and reduce harm to ecosystems and societies. Collecting data on fire, biodiversity and socio-economic variables is therefore imperative to better understand the feedbacks, tipping points and regime shifts related to the Anthropocene.
Land abandonment describes the discontinuing of agricultural activities, which often leads to subsequent recovery of natural vegetation and sometimes increased fire risk. The causes behind land abandonment are complex and include biophysical as well as political and socio-economic drivers, such as unsuitable climate conditions, drought, small field sizes, government policies, and migration. Understanding these drivers along with land abandonment effects on ecosystems and societies is important for sustainable land use.
This project aims to 1) classify and study patterns and trends in vegetation fires, 2) map landscape fires and burn scars at a detailed level and 3) study overall patterns in land abandonment and recultivation, to allow for both general and detailed studies of the spatiotemporal patterns of vegetation fires and land abandonment, their drivers and their impacts on the surrounding environment. The project is partly funded through to the Strategic Research Area Biodiversity and Ecosystems in a Changing Climate (BECC) at Lund University.
Work duties
The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position includes the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.
These tasks will be performed:
- Analysis of time series of active fire and burned area data together with ancillary datasets (e.g. biomass, land cover, population)
- Classification of burned area and active fires using medium resolution data from the Landsat and Sentinel programs
- Spatiotemporal analyses of fire behaviour in different contexts
- Analysis of land cover time series
- Conceptualisation of land abandonment
- Detailed classification of medium- and high-resolution satellite image
- Publication of high-quality research papers in international journal
- Communication of research results at conferences and workshops
- Actively seeking external research funding
- Communication and outreach outside of academic circles
- Administration related to the work duties listed above
Deadline for applications is 17th November 2025.
PhD opportunities: AI, Land-Atmosphere interactions, Wildfire/Hydroclimatic risk, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas, USA (deadline 10th November 2025)
The Land Intelligence (LI) lab at The University of Texas at Austin is seeking three fully-funded PhD students (tuition and stipend), starting in the Fall of 2026.
Our lab examines how terrestrial ecosystems interact with human activities and hydroclimatic hazards, with a particular focus on wildfires and land-atmosphere interactions of carbon, water, and energy. We aim to better monitor, predict, and reduce hydroclimatic risks to people and ecosystems by leveraging advances in Artificial Intelligence (e.g., machine learning), Earth observations (e.g., satellite remote sensing, field measurements), and Earth system models. Please see our website for more information.
Students interested in one of the following topics with strong quantitative and programming skills, are encouraged to apply:
- AI: Machine learning, causality inference, foundation models
- Data science: Remote sensing/GIS, geospatial/environmental data science
- Environmental/Earth system science: wildfire or hydroclimatic hazard/impact/risk modeling, terrestrial ecosystem modeling, carbon-water-energy cycles, human-environment interactions, land-atmosphere interaction.
We encourage research directions beyond those listed, but within the lab’s overall research umbrella.
Applicants must meet the UT Austin Graduate school’s admission requirements. Successful candidates have opportunities to work with collaborators at Stanford University, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, and other leading research institutions.
Deadline for applications is 10th November 2025.