The EU Horizon Europe-funded project SYNCHRONY will establish a coordinated, internationally synchronized observatory across the Southern Ocean and Antarctic continental shelves to monitor rapid changes in the ocean–ice–atmosphere system and their impacts on climate and biodiversity. The project will address major scientific challenges including high-latitude warming, Antarctic sea ice loss, changes in the carbon and freshwater cycles, and ecosystem responses to environmental change. It will work in close relationship with the ongoing Antarctica InSync (2027-2030) activities and be a foundational element of the upcoming International Polar Year (IPY, 2032-2033).
The project brings together leading European and international institutions and will contribute directly to global observing systems, Copernicus services, climate prediction efforts, and policy-relevant indicators supporting the European Green Deal and the UN 2030 Agenda.
Research environment
At the Earth and Climate Center of the Earth and Life Institute at UCLouvain (ELIC/ELI), you will join a vibrant and internationally recognized team with a long-standing reputation for excellence in polar research. Through involvement in leading national, European, and international initiatives and projects, you will have access to state-of-the-art research, technologies, and resources, enabling you to make a significant contribution to the growing body of scientific knowledge on polar regions. The polar team comprises around 25 PhD students, post-doctoral researchers, academics, and IT specialists, creating together a dynamic and collaborative research environment. The work will be co- supervised by Profs. François Massonnet and Hugues Goosse.
