Postdoc in quality assessment of Satellite Altimetry over Land Ice - DTU Space

Are you passionate about satellite altimetry over land ice and want to develop your career as a scientist? Do you want to contribute to ensuring the high quality of Sentinel-3 altimetry products and explore the connection between extreme wildfires and their impact on land ice observations?
Are you passionate about satellite altimetry over land ice and want to develop your career as a scientist? Do you want to contribute to ensuring the high quality of Sentinel-3 altimetry products and explore the connection between extreme wildfires and their impact on land ice observations?

We are looking for a motivated Postdoc to join our Cryosphere research group within the Geodesy and Earth Observation GEO) division. More specifically, to be a part of the Sentinel-3 Mission Performance Centre (MPC), where you will work closely with experts to validate and improve the quality and performance of Sentinel-3 altimetry data over land ice regions. This position provides a unique opportunity to contribute to a critical Earth Observation data record, addressing the challenges of climate change by ensuring the high quality of Sentinel-3 altimetry products and e.g. exploring the connection between extreme wildfires and their impact on land ice observations.

The position will be anchored in the Cryosphere research group within the Geodesy and Earth observation division at DTU Space, where we intensely focus on cryosphere changes, both from Earth Observations, airborne, and in-situ campaigns. We are currently active in several national and international projects where we work on developing, implementing, and validating methods for using satellite data to map the recent and current changes in the Earth's cryosphere. Here, we can mention, in addition to the Sentinel-3 MPC, the National Programme for Monitoring of the Greenland Ice Sheet (promice.org), the EU Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), and the ESA Greenland Ice Sheet Climate Change Initiative in which we contribute with expertise in remote sensing products of e.g. elevation changes, mass changes, digital elevation models and ice sheet thickness. Furthermore, we have extensive experience conducting field campaigns in the polar regions.s. As a young, dynamic group, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive environment that values collaboration, personal growth, and work-life balance, ensuring that everyone can thrive both personally and professionally.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your overall aim will be to strengthen the department’s competencies in improving data quality and validation methods for satellite altimetry over land ice. You will collaborate closely with colleagues and academic partners in Denmark and abroad. Your primary tasks will be

• Perform research on satellite altimetry data over land ice, focusing on improving data quality and validation methods.
• Investigating the impact of external forcings, e.g., extreme wildfires, surface melt, and geomagnetic storms, on altimetry-based land ice observations, enhancing our understanding of this data record and deriving crucial essential climate variables.
• Collaborate with international teams within the Sentinel-3 MPC, contributing to mission success and operational monitoring.

For this position, proven research experience in satellite altimetry, preferably over land ice, is essential. As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent). We expect the candidate to have

• Have a good expertise in programming, e.g. in Python, Julia, R, or other higher-level programming languages.
• Proficiency in data analysis.

Furthermore, we are looking for someone who has

• Presentation skills appropriate for communicating research findings at international conferences.
• Passion to work on complex, challenging topics, with strong analytical skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to thrive on collaboration and teamwork.

Flexibility and self-motivation are desired skills at DTU, as well as a natural interest in collaboration and personal responsibility.

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 terms of employment
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 2 years. Aprox. start date is 1 April 2025.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.
Further information may be obtained from Senior Officer Stine K. Rose ([email protected]) or Senior Scientist Sebastian B. Simonsen ([email protected]).

You can read more about DTU Space at http://www.space.dtu.dk/English.aspx and at https://www.space.dtu.dk/english/research/research_divisions/geodesy_and_earthobservation

Workplace is DTU Lyngby Campus, approximately 15 km north of central Copenhagen.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 10 January 2025 (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:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
• List of publications

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

DTU Space are Denmark's largest space science research institute and a reputable international institution. From space we explore the Earth and the universe. Our history goes back to the 1960s. With space as the starting point we conduct research, develop new technology, educate engineers and scientists, and provide advice for the benefit of people and society.

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.

Adresse:

Elektrovej
2800 Kgs. Lyngby