PhD scholarship in Ice-Sheet Modelling – DTU Space

If you want to pursue a career as a scientist and you are looking for the best possible foundation for fulfilling your dreams and ambitions, it is right here in front of you. At DTU Space we seek candidates with a strong interest in glaciology for a PhD position in “Understanding Greenland ice sheet variability over the past 12,000 years”.

As part of the new Center for Ice Sheet Projections, you will break new ground at the forefront of observing and modeling Greenland Ice Sheet mass change since the Holocene. You will use Geodetic and Geological observations of the Greenland Ice Sheet, e.g., GNSS data, relative sea level data, and other relevant data to model the Greenland ice sheet ice loss over the past 12,000 years.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your overall focus will be to strengthen the department’s competencies within modeling ice flow and using a variety of observations to assess models, which is central to DTU Space’s strategic effort in the area of geodesy. You will be attached to the division of geodesy and earth observations, which is one of the five divisions comprising DTU Space.

As our new PhD student, you will work in close collaboration with colleagues at both DTU, and with academic partners from Dartmouth College, USA. To follow the DTU program you will be granted a unique study environment, together with several PhDs and Post Docs in related fields.

Your primary tasks will be to improve simulations of the Greenland ice sheet, with a particular focus on major outlet glaciers using the open-source Ice-sheet and Sea-level System Model (ISSM) model, a finite-element, thermo- mechanical ice-sheet model. You are expected to perform original research that aims at improving our understanding of the past and present changes in the ice flow and geometry of the Greenland Ice sheet.

More concrete, you are expected to the following:

• Simulate Greenland Ice extend since Holocene
• Model relative sea-level change along the coast of Greenland
• Evaluate ISSM parameterization using relative sea level data, GNSS data, present-day surface altimetry, and satellite-derived ice flow
• Publish new findings in the international peer-reviewed literature
• Present your research at international conferences and participate in relevant project meetings
• Communicate effectively with colleagues and be able to work as part of a team to achieve ambitious goals
• Teach and co-supervise BSc and MSc student projects
• Potentially participate in Arctic field campaigns

We expect that you have the following experience:

• Working with large data sets and development of algorithms
• Basic knowledge in glaciology or geodesy
• Good expertise in programming, e.g., in Python, MATLAB, or other high-level programming languages.

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. Start date: 1 October 2024 (or as soon as possible).

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

This PHD is funded by the NOVO Nordisk Foundation  under the Challenge Programme 2023 - Grant number NNF23OC00807040.

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Professor Shfaqat Abbas Khan ([email protected] ), Helene Seroussi ([email protected] ) and Mathieu Morlighem ([email protected]).

You can read more about DTU Space at www.space.dtu.dk and about Geodesy and Earth Observations at Research Divisions .

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 16 August 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 online", 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
• Letter of recommendations are encouraged 

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.

About DTU Space
DTU Space has about 190 employees, an annual turn-over of about 140 MDKK and it is located at the Lyngby Campus of the Technical University of Denmark together with 19 other institutes within the technical sciences. As the National Space Institute, DTU Space is the leading institution of public space activities in Denmark. The mission of the Institute is to conduct research, development, public sector consultancy, education, and innovation at the highest international level within the following areas: Space Technology & Instrumentation, Earth Observation & Geoscience and Space- & Astrophysics.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, 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.