Postdoctoral Scholar to Assess the Potential of Fiber-Optic Sensing for Landslide and Avalanche Monitoring in Northern Iceland

Landslides and snow avalanches pose a significant threat to communities, farms, and roads in Iceland, and neither hazard is currently monitored with fiber-optic sensing. The LightSaver project will carry out the first such deployments in Iceland, at two field sites in northern Iceland.

For landslide monitoring, the study site is a creeping landslide region, where surface motion approaches one meter per year and causes repeated road damage. A telecom cable already crosses parts of the landslide. The postdoc will record DAS data on this cable and combine it with co-located GNSS, seismic nodes, and geomorphological mapping and potentially InSAR data, to characterize landslide dynamics and assess the added value of continuous fiber-optic monitoring relative to existing point measurements.

For avalanche monitoring, the postdoc will record DAS data at a site where an existing telecom cable passes through active avalanche terrain, either in the Tröllaskagi region in North Iceland or in the Westfjords, over two winter field seasons (2–3 months each), identify and characterize avalanche signals, and assess the potential for near-real-time automated detection under Icelandic conditions.

The postdoc will work in close collaboration with colleagues at the Iceland Meteorological Office, University of Iceland, and the broader LightSaver team. The project is funded by the Ministry of Culture Innovation and Higher Education.

The duration is up to three years, and the start date could be as early as Sept 1st, 2026, but the starting date is negotiable.

Requirements

• PhD in geophysics, seismology, earth sciences, or a closely related field
• Experience with seismic, geodetic and/or DAS data processing is a plus
• Willingness to undertake fieldwork in Icelandic conditions
• Driving license is a plus
• Proven track record of quality, independent research
• Good verbal and written communication skills in English

Applications

Applications should be submitted via the Reykjavík University online application system and must include a CV and a cover letter stating why you are interested in this project and how your background might make you the right person for the job. Potential starting date, as well as contact information for two references (names, institutional addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers) will be requested.

For further details, contact Dr. Vala Hjörleifsdóttir, Associate Professor, Department of Engineering (valah@ru.is). The review of applications is underway, but new applications will be accepted until September 21, 2026.

About Reykjavik University (RU)

Reykjavík University has around 3.700 students and 300 faculty and employees in addition to numerous adjunct faculty in two schools: Technology and Social Sciences. We offer a welcoming and stimulating environment in which to work and live. The University is centrally located in Reykjavík, the capital city of Iceland. The role of Reykjavik University is to create and disseminate knowledge to enhance the competitiveness and quality of life for individuals and society, guided by good ethics, sustainability, and responsibility. Education and research at RU are based on strong ties with industry and society. We emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, international relations, and entrepreneurship.

About Iceland

Iceland is well known for its breathtaking natural beauty, with volcanoes, hot springs, lava fields and glaciers offering a dramatic landscape. It consistently ranks as one of the best places in the world to live. It offers a high quality of life and is one of the safest places in the world, with high gender equality and strong healthcare and social support systems. Reykjavik is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city that provides an ideal environment for combining cultural and family activities with an active lifestyle.