Postdoc opportunity: Studying nutrients and carbon transport from glaciers and ice sheets

Our colleague Jon Hawkings is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to join his team in studying the role of glaciers and ice sheets in biogeochemical cycles, with a focus on nutrient and carbon transport and their impacts on downstream ecosystems and global cycles. The successful candidate will write an MSCA funding proposal to join iC3’s vibrant community of 25 early career researchers. (See all 12 open postdoc opportunities with iC3 here.) 

In this interview, Jon Hawkings discusses how his research sheds light on the role of glaciers in global biogeochemical cycles and highlights the qualities he seeks in collaborators and postdoctoral researchers.

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Can you begin by discussing the focus of your research?
My research focuses on the role of glaciers and ice sheets in regional and global biogeochemical cycles. I study how glaciers mobilize, transport, and deliver life-essential elements to ecosystems. With glacier melt accelerating due to climate change, I aim to understand the implications for ecosystems, ecosystem services, and global biogeochemical cycles over the next century.

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How do you conduct your research? Are you a modeler or more field-based?
I’m an observationalist. My work involves collecting data and samples in the field, which I analyze in my labs in Tromsø and at the University of Pennsylvania. While I occasionally use basic modeling, my primary focus is generating high-quality data for modelers. Fieldwork is central to my research, and I’ve worked in regions like the Arctic, Patagonia, and the Himalayas. Recently, my focus has been on Greenland and Svalbard, where I study how glaciers interact with their surrounding environments using a biogeochemical lens.

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What do you enjoy about fieldwork, and how has it shaped your perception of science?
Fieldwork is a privilege. It allows me to visit remote, glacier-dominated landscapes and gain context that data alone cannot provide. Being in these unique environments, sometimes as one of the first researchers, is incredibly motivating. Fieldwork also highlights the rapid changes occurring in these regions due to climate change. However, it’s far from a vacation—it’s demanding and often grueling. Living in a tent for weeks in sometimes difficult conditions is tough, but it’s essential for gathering the data to understand the interconnectedness of glacial systems and their broader impacts.

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What are some of the biggest challenges in your research?
The biggest challenge is collecting data from remote locations. Fieldwork is expensive and requires extensive preparation, from cleaning equipment to planning logistics. Once samples are collected, the real work begins in the lab, analyzing and generating data. The entire process is time-consuming and resource-intensive. Additionally, the extreme environments we study—freezing temperatures, fluctuating water levels, and remote locations—pose unique challenges for both fieldwork and instrumentation.

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What technologies or methodologies are you most excited about in your field?
I’m excited about advancements in sensor technology, particularly in situ nutrient sensors that can provide lab-quality data in real time. These sensors are becoming more portable and efficient, allowing us to collect high-resolution data in extreme environments. In the lab, improvements in instrumentation, like multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, are enabling more precise analyses of stable isotopes and biogeochemical processes. These technologies are transforming our ability to study glaciers and their downstream impacts.

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If you had an unlimited budget, how would you allocate it?
I’d focus on people—hiring talented researchers—and expanding data collection across multiple glaciers and fjords. I’d invest in long-term monitoring to capture seasonal and annual changes. Additionally, I’d prioritize exploring subglacial environments, particularly in Antarctica, to better understand their role in biogeochemical cycles and their potential as archives of past ice sheet dynamics. Subglacial lakes, for example, could reveal how ice sheets have behaved over millennia and provide insights into the limits of life in extreme conditions.

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What big question would you like to answer in the future?
I want to uncover the role of Antarctica in the biogeochemistry of the Southern Ocean and how it has changed over glacial-interglacial cycles. Drilling into isolated subglacial lakes could provide insights into ice sheet dynamics, biogeochemical processes, and even the limits of life in extreme conditions. Antarctica is a massive, largely unexplored system, and understanding its role in the global carbon cycles is crucial for predicting future changes and understanding past change.

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What qualities and skills do you look for in postdoctoral collaborators?
I value curiosity, passion, and a genuine interest in the science. For me, it’s less about grades and more about the interest in science, motivation and the ability to think critically. I also prioritize working with people who are kind, collaborative, and respectful. Science is a team effort, and having a supportive, positive environment is essential, especially during fieldwork or in close lab settings. Ultimately, I look for individuals who bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm to the research.

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How do you balance your professional and personal life?
It’s challenging, but I’ve become more disciplined, especially since having a child. Spending time with my daughter and family helps me recharge and maintain perspective. I believe valuing time away from work improves efficiency and overall well-being. It’s important to treat research like a job and ensure there’s time to decompress and focus on personal life.

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Can you share a book or movie that has significantly influenced you?
When I was younger, the Harry Potter series had a big impact on me. It got me into reading and sparked my curiosity, which eventually translated into my academic interests. More recently, I’ve enjoyed reading The Three Ages of Water by Peter Gleick, which explores humanity’s relationship with water throughout history. It’s given me new perspectives on water science and its broader implications for us.

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Do you have a personal motto or final thoughts to share?
A motto I’ve carried from a former lab is simple: “Get *** done.”. It’s a reminder to stay focused and keep moving forward, even when challenges arise. Beyond that, I believe in fostering curiosity, collaboration, and kindness in science—as with any job, it’s the people and their passion that make this work meaningful and fun. Work with people you like and do the science that you are passionate about. 

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If you are interested in applying for an MSCA postdoctoral fellowship with Jon, please read this first and then send him an email briefly outlining your proposed research project and enclose your CV.

The iC3 team will support the selected candidate throughout the process of writing a strong MSCA fellowship proposal. More information on MSCA opportunities with the iC3 Polar Research Hub and our support programme here.