Acres of Ice
Website:
acresofice.com
Job details:
Head of Research - Climate Adaptation & Water Management | Ladakh
About Us
Acres of Ice builds automated water management systems for mountain communities on the frontlines of climate change. Our Automated Ice Reservoirs (AIR) and irrigation automation systems now serve 500+ households in Ladakh and 30 farmers in Kashmir preventing village abandonment and revitalizing high-altitude agriculture.
The Role
Lead our research function at the intersection of glaciology, remote sensing, agriculture and climate adaptation. You'll set the research agenda, secure funding through proposals to international development agencies and government bodies, design field experiments, and produce drone-derived spatial data products that drive system optimization. Your work will open new projects, shape our scientific credibility, and directly inform water security for 14 million people across the Hindu Kush Himalayas.
Based in Leh. Fieldwork across remote villages in Ladakh.
Key Responsibilities
- Identify funding opportunities and write compelling proposals to international development agencies, government bodies, and research foundations to launch new water management projects
- Set and drive the research agenda — define questions, design field experiments, and translate findings into actionable outcomes for our technology and communities
- Process drone survey data using GPU-accelerated workflows.
- Supervise junior researchers and coordinate across tech, field, and community teams
- Maintain and expand multi-site sensor networks (temperature, pressure, discharge, soil moisture); develop predictive models for system optimization
- Author technical reports and peer-reviewed journal articles to build scientific credibility and support proposals
Requirements
- Master's or PhD in Physical Geography, Glaciology, Remote Sensing, Hydrology, Climate Science, or related field
- Hands-on experience with drone photogrammetry and geospatial processing (Agisoft Metashape, OpenDroneMap, QGIS/ArcGIS, or equivalent)
- Demonstrated experience writing successful research or project proposals for international development agencies, government schemes, or research foundations
- Experience with meteorological, hydrological, or environmental sensor data required
- Published research portfolio (journal articles, technical reports, or equivalent)
- Field research experience; mountaineering or high-altitude trekking experience is a plus
- Experience with LiDAR, multispectral imaging, or satellite remote sensing is a plus
- ML/deep learning exposure for geospatial applications is a plus
We Offer
- ₹40,000/month in-hand + benefits includes accommodation, meals, and training (6.6L CTC)
- Access to GPU computing infrastructure, drone fleet, and multi-year field datasets
- Publish in top journals while shaping climate adaptation for mountain communities globally
- Direct mentorship from Founder Dr. Suryanarayanan Balasubramanian
- Collaborate with King's College London, University of Fribourg, and international partners
- Work at the forefront of international expansion as we take this technology to the Andes and Central Asia
Selection Process
1. Linkedin Application for CV review — include relevant research/field experiences and publication list.
2. Google form to submit personal details and research statement (400 words) — shortlisted candidates only
3. Technical interview to assess skills, research vision, and relevant experiences
---
Applications close: June 15, 2026
Expected joining date: July 1, 2026
Click on Apply to know more.