PhD in Physics-Informed Machine Learning for Greenland’s Firn Tipping Point

Technical University of Denmark; Kongens Lyngby; On-site; DKK 320,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

DTU Space invites applications for a PhD student in a FirnTip project that blends physics, mathematics, machine learning, and satellite data to predict when Greenland's firn stops storing meltwater and what that means for sea-level rise.

You will build models, apply them to climate scenarios, and collaborate with international partners to advance scientific computing and ML skills valued in research and industry.

Qualifications

• A master's degree in physics or mathematics, or a field with similar mathematical foundation.
• Experience writing scientific code from thesis or projects.
• Good knowledge of at least one: differential equations, numerical methods, statistics, or machine learning.
• Good written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Develop a framework predicting when Greenland's firn stops absorbing meltwater.
• Collaborate with supervisors at DTU Space and international partners.
• Identify climate factors controlling firn absorption, and combine satellite data with models.
• Develop machine-learning models that respect physical laws and signals of tipping points.
• Engage in teaching and knowledge-sharing within the DTU PhD program.

Skills

Physics/Math background

Scientific coding

English proficiency

Differential equations

Numerical methods

Statistics

Machine learning

Education

Master's degree in physics/mathematics

Tools

Graph neural networks

Remote sensing

Data assimilation

Job description

Are you interested in turning natural phenomena into equations and code, and then applying them to big open questions in climate science? If so, we are looking for a PhD student with a background in physics and/or mathematics to help predict when Greenland's porous near-surface firn layer, which currently stores much of the ice sheet's meltwater, loses that capacity, and what that means for sea-level rise. You will build models that combine physics, machine learning, and satellite data, and apply them to climate scenarios from the EU's Destination Earth initiative. You will join a diverse and collaborative group at DTU Space and develop skills in scientific computing and machine learning that are valued in both research and industry. No prior experience in glaciology or climate science is needed; we will help you learn the field.

Responsibilities and qualifications

In the FirnTip project, you will develop a framework that predicts when and where Greenland's firn stops being able to store meltwater, a possible climate tipping point. You will work closely with your supervisors at DTU Space as well as international partners.

Your main tasks will be to:

• Identify which climate factors control when firn stops absorbing meltwater
• Combine satellite-derived firn density with firn models (data assimilation)
• Develop machine-learning models (e.g., graph neural networks) that obey physical conservation laws
• Detect early-warning signals of tipping points in future climate scenarios
• Spend 3-6 months aboard visiting international partners, planned in collaboration with you
• Take part in teaching and knowledge-sharing as part of the DTU PhD program

To do well in the role, we think you need:

• A master's degree in physics, mathematics or a field with a comparable mathematical foundation
• Experience writing scientific code, e.g., from your thesis or projects
• Good knowledge of at least one of: differential equations, numerical methods, statistics, or machine learning
• Good written and spoken English
• Experience with glaciology, remote sensing, or machine learning is not required
• 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.

Assessment

The assessment of the applicants will be conducted by Senior Researcher Sebastian B. Simonsen (DTU), Researcher Kirk M. Scanlan (DTU), and Senior Researcher Anja Rutishauser (GEUS) using common criteria for all applicants. Shortlisted applicants will have a structured interview, possibly including a short computational exercise. If you meet most, but not all, of the qualifications, please still apply. Let us know if you need any adjustments to the recruitment process.

Salary and appointment terms

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Please see DTU's salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures

The start date is February 1st or soon thereafter. The position is a full-time position. The period of employment is 3 years. You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Senior Scientist Sebastian B. Simonsen, [e-mail].

Questions about the project or the application are welcome.

You can read more about our DTU Space cryosphere research at https://www.space.dtu.dk/english/research-divisions/geodesy-and-earth-observation/research-areas/cryosphere.

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.

DTU - For the benefit of society since 1829DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.