PhD in Remote Sensing and Modelling of Wetlands

PhD Candidate in Remote Sensing Driven Hydrological and Biogeochemical Modelling of Tropical Wetlands

DHI A/S is looking for a PhD candidate with a passion for wetlands. The PhD position is part of the Global Wetland Center funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

The Global Wetland Center will contribute to the development of wetland-based climate change mitigation strategies through a combination of biogeochemical and hydrological modelling, satellite remote sensing and use of Artificial Intelligence techniques. The Center is funded for a six-year period (2024-2029) and it is a collaboration between DHI A/S, two departments from the University of Copenhagen (Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management [Center lead] and Department of Computer Sciences) and GEUS (The Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland).

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research to advance the understanding of wetland ecosystems and their potential for curbing climate change. The successful candidate will do PhD research aimed at developing and refining hydrological and biogeochemical models using remote sensing data. This project focuses on tropical wetlands, which are dynamic environments where water flow and biogeochemical processes determine the balance between carbon sequestration and carbon emissions. Precise hydrological models help predict water levels, flow patterns, and inundation periods, which influence the wetland's capacity to store carbon. Meanwhile, detailed biogeochemical models capture the complex interactions among soil, water, and vegetation, dictating how carbon is assimilated, stored, and released. The research involves integrating remote sensing technologies with advanced modelling techniques to enhance our understanding of hydrological processes and biogeochemical interactions in both natural and managed wetland ecosystems and thereby improving our understanding of how tropical wetlands contribute to or mitigate climate change.

At DHI
Our mission is to work for our blue planet. We excel in engineering and science for understanding and protecting the environment and managing resources sustainably for our clients and common good. As a global not-for-profit organization of great credibility and respect in our industry, our goal is to have a significant impact on solving pressing environmental and societal challenges. https://dhigroup.com/sustainability

Our work benefits global organizations like the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), public bodies including municipalities and agencies, and research drivers such as the European Space Agency (ESA) and innovation funds. Often, we partner with other companies and work on advanced technical projects, for example with Google and Microsoft. Corporate social responsibility is something we take very seriously, both in our business and in the company culture. https://eo.dhigroup.com/projects/

As a PhD scientist
You will play a crucial role in our Global Wetland Center activities on remote sensing of wetland biophysics and hydrology and their suitability for informing hydrological and biogeochemical modelling frameworks over representative wetlands and across multiple scales. Specifically, responsibilities could include:

• Develop remote sensing methodologies for monitoring hydrological and biogeochemical processes in tropical wetlands.
• Create and validate process-based models to simulate wetland hydrology and biogeochemistry.
• Integrate satellite remote sensing data with field measurements and model outputs.
• Analyze the effects of environmental changes and anthropogenic activities on tropical wetland dynamics.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary research teams and contribute to joint projects.
• Disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications, conferences, and workshops.
• Participate in academic and professional development activities within the department.

You can take a shaping role in the research and see your work quickly make an impact on wetland science as well as real-world applications.

The PhD programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

The successful candidate will be requested to formally apply for enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD school of Science at the University of Copenhagen.

To be eligible for the regular 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. geography, earth observation, geoinformatics. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

General information about PhD programmes at SCIENCE is available at: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd

About you
Background, origin, or gender never make a difference to us. We focus on your talent and personality. We expect that you have a strong and proven background in Earth Observation science and applications. An ideal candidate will have:

• A Master's degree in Environmental Science, Hydrology, Geosciences, Remote Sensing, or a related field.
• Strong background in hydrological and/or biogeochemical modelling.
• Experience with remote sensing technologies and applications.
• Proficiency in programming languages (e.g., Python, R, MATLAB) and geospatial analysis tools.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. Proficient in English required. Knowledge of Danish and Spanish/French is an advantage.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Please note this position is based in the greater Copenhagen area, with shared presence in the DHI headquarter 25 km north of Copenhagen and the Global Wetland Center premises at the University of Copenhagen in central Copenhagen. We expect the candidate to be present at the workplace on average 3 days per week, with flexibility for remote working the remaining days. Some travels to field sites and in connection with project events and conferences is to be expected.

How to apply

• We would like to get an impression of your talent, personality, and motivation, so you are welcome to keep your application short and anecdotal. Please let us know what you see in this position and what motivates you to seek it.
• For further information please visit eo.dhigroup.com and dhigroup.com or contact Head of Data Science and Analytics, Kenneth Grogan ([email protected]).
• The application process will close October 1st, 2024. The aim is that the chosen candidate should start on January 1st 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Department: DHI

Deadline: 30 September 2024

Location: Agern Alle, 5, 2970, Hørsholm, Denmark