PhD fellow in Physical Geography

Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen

 

Department of Geoscience & Natural Resources, Faculty of Science at University of Copenhagen is offering a PhD scholarship in Physical Geography commencing  1 July 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Description of the scientific environment
The research group focuses on glacier and ice-sheet dynamics in Greenland and Antarctica, studying how ice responds to climate change in the past and present to improve future predictions of sea-level rise and Earth system feedbacks. The work combines collection of field data, remote sensing, and modelling in interdisciplinary projects.

Project description
The CASCADE-project will map Antarctic subglacial drainage at continental scale using Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar processed as double-difference interferograms (DInSAR). Minute surface uplift and subsidence signals will be automatically detected using machine-learning workflows, enabling systematic, user-independent identification of drainage events every 6–12 days. The primary deliverable is the first pan-Antarctic map and time series of subglacial hydrological events, including drainage routes, frequency, and seasonal variability. These remote-sensing products will subsequently inform improved basal hydrology parameterizations within ISSM, linking observed water dynamics to ice-sheet motion.

The ideal candidate for this PhD position has a Master’s degree with a background in microwave remote sensing or a related earth observation specialization.

Principal supervisor is Associate Professor, Anders Anker Bjørk, Department of Geoscience and Natural Resources, aab@ign.ku.dk , tel: +45 29921742

Job description
The position is available for a 3-year period and your key tasks as a PhD student at SCIENCE are:

• To manage and carry through your research project

• Attend PhD courses
• Write scientific articles and your PhD thesis
• Teach and disseminate your research
• To stay at an external research institution for a few months, preferably abroad
• Work for the department

Responsibilities and tasks

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision

• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Good language skills

Formal requirements
Applicants should hold an Master’s degree with a background in microwave with good results and good English skills. As criteria for the assessment of your qualifications emphasis will also be laid on previous publications (if any) and relevant work experience.

The PhD programme
A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.

Qualifications
To be eligible for the PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. [relevant educations]. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database .

Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Science, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Application and Assessment Procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include: 

Motivated letter of application (max. one page)

Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position

Original diplomas for Bachelor or Master and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.

Publication list (if possible)

Reference letters (if available)

The deadline for applications is Friday 10 April 2026, 23:59 CEST.

After the expiry date of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee. Afterwards an assessment committee will be appointed to evaluate the selected applications. The applicants will be notified of the composition of the committee, and the final selection of a successful candidate will be made by the Head of Department, based on the recommendations of the assessment committee and the interview committee.

The main criterion for selection will be the research potential of the applicant and the above-mentioned skills. The successful candidate will then be requested to formally apply for enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD school of Science.

You can read more about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/ .

The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above-mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/ .

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/ ].

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.