PhD scholarship in Greenhouse Gas Emission Monitoring with Satellite Remote Sensing - DTU Sustain

Are you passionate about big data, digital solutions and want to combat climate change? Are you a talented, motivated, and a team-oriented person, who thrives in a collaborative environment and enjoys working with complex, multidisciplinary topics? We are looking for a PhD student to develop and validate digital solutions for automated greenhouse gas (GHG) emission monitoring combining satellite data and ground-based observations. 

To mitigate climate change and support green transition, observations of GHG sources and emissions are needed. The project aims to investigate how we can use satellite remote sensing data to monitor greenhouse emissions in Denmark, and bridge expertise from DTU Space and DTU Sustain. DTU Space is Denmark’s largest space research institute and has explored space and associated applications since the 1960s, while DTU Sustain is world-leading in greenhouse gas emission observations targeting both natural and anthropogenic sources.

You will work with applications of multi spectral satellite data, that can enable a GHG detection tool with national coverage and high temporal and spatial resolution. For verification, you will use data from DTU research infrastructures (e.g. tall flux towers), and DTU’s high performance Computing Center. The project supports the development of space technology and digital data processing that can be used in a range of different applications among others for documentation of GHG emissions from nature and the technosphere and associated mitigation actions.

Responsibilities and qualifications
The project take the initial steps to build a national GHG emission monitoring system combining satellite-based GHG observations and ground-truth emission verification. The resulting applications include mapping of GHG concentrations, quantification of emission rates, and direct attribution to emission sectors at local to regional scales. This will enable us to get the first answers the overarching research question of the proposed project: “How can we use and validate satellite remote sensing to monitor GHG emissions?”

You will: 

• Retrieve large quantities of acquired satellite observed GHG concentration data and develop methods to consolidate satellite measurements to an overarching and analysable dataset 
• Develop algorithms for flux/emission estimation
• Verify satellite based atmospheric GHG column concentration retrievals and satellite-based emission estimates using GHG concentrations and fluxes from tall monitoring towers located in Denmark

A successful candidate fulfils some of these requirements:

• Has knowledge about satellite remote sensing preferably with multispectral data 
• Has knowledge about GHGs, Earth atmosphere, and atmospheric modelling
• Has experience with analysis of satellite data or other large datasets
• Has solid programming skills in e.g. Python or similar types of programming languages
• Has interest in building professional network in cross-disciplinary science

Additionally, the candidate is expected to participate in the department’s teaching activities.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment  
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education . 

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms 
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

The position is a full-time position. Expected PhD start is 1st December 2024. 

The workplace will be at DTU Lyngby Campus. 

You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor Charlotte Scheutz ([email protected] ) and Senior Advisor Sine Munk Hvidegaard ([email protected]). 

You can read more about DTU Sustain and DTU Space at  www.sustain.dtu.dk and www.space.dtu.dk, respectively.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 15 September 2024 (23:59 Danish time) . 

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file . The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• Reference letters (not mandatory) - if the reference letters are being sent to DTU directly, please send them to [email protected]  

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

The Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering (DTU Sustain) is one of the largest university departments specializing in environmental and resource engineering in Europe. The department conducts research, development & scientific advice and provides educational programs and service to society. We are working to develop new environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies, methods and solutions, and to disseminate this knowledge to society and future generations of engineers. The department has approximately 300 employees from more than 30 nationalities.

The Department of Space Research and Technology (DTU Space)  has more than 200 employees and is located in the greater Copenhagen area at the Lyngby Campus of the Technical University of Denmark together with 19 other institutes within the technical sciences. We link natural science closely with the development of new technology. DTU Space is involved in the full life cycle of space activities, including concept and design, construction and proto-typing, calibration and validation, implementation and operations, data analysis, processing, dissemination, and applications, leading to new instruments and applications. With the specialized and refined technology available, we are getting more and more answers and further insight about the Earth and the universe surrounding us. We contribute to about 200 scientific publications a year.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programs, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.