@cristinabalaban
Postdoctoral Researcher in Palaeoglaciology at Charles University in Pragueπ©π»βπ»π¨πΏπ°| Reconstructing past glaciation in the Central European uplandsβοΈποΈ | Durham University MSci & PhD graduate π©π»βππ¬π§| Bubbly Romanian expat π¬π·π΄
Delighted to talk about my experience as a postdoc at Charles University in Prague, CZ, after having started my career in the UK as a Romanian expat. If you want to hear more about the challenges and joys of working and living on the move, donβt hesitate to give this a listen!
CONGRATULATIONS to @geogdurham.bsky.social's own Dave Roberts and Colm O'Cofaigh who have both been awarded the prestigious Polar Medal by the King in the 2026 New Year's Honours List. Such a well-deserved achievement for two excellent colleagues! βοΈπΎπ₯
durhamglaciology.wordpress.com/2025/12/30/p...
It was particularly great to discuss and debate the ins and outs of geomorphology, cosmogenic dating, and modellling with my fellow βCarpathologistsβ (π), and enjoy the exquisite food and wine of the Banat region in southwest Romania. Great to see a conference of such scale hosted back home! 2/2
Throughly enjoyed presenting my PhD numerical ice modelling work in the Southern Carpathians (and upcoming expansion to the Central European uplands during my postdoc) at the Regional Conference on Geomorphology (part of IAG) hosted by the West University of TimiΘoara, Romania 1/2
β¦ and chat to colleagues, who were fascinated by the spectacular landscapes and hospitality of the Romanian cultureπ. Many thanks go to Prof. Petru Urdea & co at West University of TimiΘoara for organising this trip ahead of the Regional Conference on Geomorphology (part of IAG) in TimiΕoara. 2/2
Delighted to have attended a field meeting in the Retezat, Godeanu and Piule-Iorgovanu mountains (Southern Carpathians, Romania) focused on unique glacial, periglacial, and glaciokarstic geomorphology. I was beyond enthusiastic to (re)visit some sites which I mapped/ modelled during my PhDβ¦1/2
Thank you, Holly!You've been a great cheerleader and source of inspiration throughout! You're next, looking forward to seeing you gowned!π
A snow and ice covered rocky landscape next to the sea.
Our @geogdurham.bsky.social researchers, led by @polarguy.bsky.social, have discovered the remains of landscapes thought to have formed when ancient rivers flowed across #EastAntarctica β and they could help predictions of future loss from the ice sheet π www.durham.ac.uk/news-events/...
Great work by our colleagues Stewart Jamieson and Guy Paxman: "We have been using satellite data to map an ancient river landscape beneath the East Antarctic Ice Sheet:. The landscape has been frozen in time for up to 34 million years." βοΈπ§ͺ
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
...colleagues of all career stages and paths. It was the place where I found my career calling, where I've learned to think critically, but also to value different opinions and become open-minded. While moving on, I will alway cherish my first academic home! Thank you, everyone, thank you, Durham!π
It was my greatest pleasure to graduate with a PhD from @geogdurham.bsky.social earlier this week! Marking a decade since I started out as a curious undergrad there, Durham was not only a place that taught me the intricacies of Geography, but also where I met some of the brightest and kindest... 1/2
Such a pleasure to welcome our students and their supporters to the Department yesterday on graduation day and to celebrate your achievements. We hope you have some great memories of your time with us and we wish you all every happiness and success as you set off on the next stage of your journeys β€οΈ
Many congrats to you Debbie and to all our graduating PhD students this year. We wish every one of you all the very best in the next steps of your journey.
Congratulations to @cristinabalaban.bsky.social who was back visiting Durham today for graduation! π Cristina's PhD research reconstructed the past glaciation of the Southern Carpathians, Romania, and she is now continuing her palaeoglaciological work as a postdoc in Prague. Well done Cristina! πβοΈπΎ
I look forward to presenting my upcoming work of applying a similar approach in the Central European uplands, as part of my current postdoc at @charlesuni.cuni.cz . Watch this space and see you soon! 7/7
It has been a pleasure to catch up with colleagues old and new, and keep up with what is new and exciting in the Quaternary Science/Geomorphology/Glaciology communities and more! 6/7
Therefore, this work highlights the importance of integrating field and modelling evidence to reconstruct past glaciation and climate during the Quaternary. 5/7
The model further recreates physical ice properties (ice thickness, velocity and temperature) that may enhance previous interpretations derived from field evidence, such as limited glacial erosion under thin, slow, cold-based ice, inferred from areas with inherited cosmogenic nuclides. 4/7
We found that the LGM climate would have had to be significantly colder (-5Β°C to -8Β°C) and drier (45Ωͺ to 15Ωͺ of present-day precipitation) than at present to match field evidence. 3/7
Part of my completed PhD at @geogdurham.bsky.social , this work primarily explores potential temperature and precipitation deviations from present-day that would be needed to grow glaciers to field evidence (I.e., dated moraines) of their former extents during the last deglaciation. 2/7
Just over two weeks ago, I had the pleasure to present my numerial modelling work of past glaciation in the Southern Carpathians, Romania, with the Parallel Ice Sheet Model at #EGU25. 1/7
View of Prague from LetnΓ‘ park.
Passionate about glaciers, geomorphology and past climate? Keen to do a PhD in one of the most beautiful historical cities in the heart of Europe? Come and do a fully-funded PhD with us at Charles University in Prague, looking at reconstructing the past glaciation of the Central European uplands 1/7
Deadline for applications: 25th March, 2025.
Start date: 1st October 2025.
Candidates should send their applications, consisting of a motivation letterand CV, to:Β margold@natur.cuni.czΒ
Informal inquiries are also welcome. 7/7
They will join an active and diverse international research
group in which the working language is English, and principles of equality, diversity and inclusion are part of everyday practice.Β The position will offer competitive remuneration, allowing for a good standard of living in Prague. 6/7
The project will be supervised by Martin Margold at Charles University. Knowledge of glacial geomorphology mapping, quantitative dating methods and field experience are an advantage, as well as maths fluency, coding skills,
GIS expertise, and lab experience. 5/7
...and optically stimulated luminescence, in collaboration with
foreign colleagues.The PhD student will also investigate the processes leading to the asymmetry of glacial modification on different aspects of mountain ranges in central Europe and will participate in numerical glacier modelling. 4/7
The doctoral project will investigate the extent and chronology of the Central European Uplands. Glacial geomorphology will be mapped in remotely-sensed data and will be complemented by geophysical surveying in
the field. Quantitative geochronology will include terrestrial cosmogenic
nuclides... 3/7
Full add (please share!) Applicants are sought for a four-year fully funded PhD position at the Department of Physical Geography and Geoecology, Charles University in Prague: Pleistocene mountain glaciation in central Europe: extents, chronology, and
landscape modification 2/7