PhD position in Hydrology and Dynamics of the Greenland Ice Sheet

Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS); Denmark; On-site; DKK 340,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) seeks a PhD student to investigate meltwater pathways under the Greenland Ice Sheet using remote sensing and ML techniques, starting Jan 2027 in Copenhagen. The project is part of the REGLA initiative and involves close supervision by GEUS and DTU-Space researchers, with DTU-based PhD enrollment.

You will map subglacial water routes, apply ML to coupling meltwater with ice dynamics, and contribute to sediment transport understanding, within a

Qualifications

• Master's degree in geoscience, physics, geophysics, engineering or related field.
• Interest in remote sensing, glaciology and data-driven methods such as machine learning.
• Willingness to learn programming and data analysis skills (e.g., Python).
• Ability to work independently and in a collaborative project team.

Responsibilities

• Map subglacial water routes using satellite radar interferometry and study their evolution.
• Apply machine learning methods to relate meltwater to ice flow and sediment transport.
• Examine how meltwater and ice dynamics influence sediment output from glaciers.
• Collaborate with supervisors and the REGLA project team at GEUS/DTU-Space.

Skills

Remote sensing

Machine learning

Python

Education

Master's degree in geoscience/physics/geophysics/engineering

Tools

InSAR

Machine learning libraries

Job description

Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS)

Organisation/Company Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) Research Field Geosciences Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 1 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Copenhagen) Country Denmark Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? Yes

Offer Description

Do you want to help uncover how meltwater moves beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet, and how this affects ice flow and sediment transport? GEUS' Department of Glaciology and Climate is offering a 3-year PhD position starting 1st January 2027, based in our Copenhagen office, as part of the REGLA project.

About the position

This PhD project investigates how meltwater moves through and beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet, and how this shapes both ice flow and sediment transport to the ocean. Using satellite radar interferometry, you will map subglacial water routes and how they evolve over time, then apply machine learning methods to explore how meltwater — at the surface and at the ice sheet bed — is coupled to ice flow. Building on this, you will also examine how meltwater and ice dynamics influence sediment output from glaciers, combining new remote-sensing and in-situ datasets.

The position is part of Prof. Nanna B. Karlsson’s REGLA project, who will be your main supervisor. You will be co-supervised by Prof. Louise S. Sørensen and Anders Kusk from DTU-Space and also work in close collaboration with Anne Solgaard (GEUS) and REGLA project team members. You will be based at GEUS' Department of Glaciology and Climate, and enrolled as a PhD student at DTU-Space, the Technical University of Denmark.

Who are you?

You have, or are about to complete, a master's degree within geoscience, physics, geophysics, engineering, or a related field. We imagine you are interested in remote sensing, glaciology, and/or data-driven methods such as machine learning, and that you are motivated to develop these skills further during your PhD. We expect that you are curious about glaciology, ice sheet processes and/or satellite remote sensing and motivated to learn or further develop programming and data analysis skills (e.g. Python, machine learning methods). We are looking for a person who can work independently but also thrive in a collaborative project team.

It is an advantage, but not a requirement, that you have prior experience with machine learning, satellite remote sensing (e.g. InSAR/DInSAR), or one or more programming languages. Insights into glaciological topics are also an advantage but not a requirement.

You must be able to communicate in English, and since Danish is GEUS’s primary language, you should be prepared to attend Danish language lessons if you do not speak Danish.

Meet your new colleagues

You will join the Department of Glaciology and Climate at GEUS. Our department studies current and past changes in the Greenland Ice Sheet and the surrounding ocean, with one of our main activities being long-term monitoring of the ice sheet through programmes such as PROMICE and the Greenland Climate Network (GC-Net). In addition to conducting research, we advise government agencies and the private sector and supervise university students.

The department has an international staff of researchers, PhD students and postdoctoral fellows working across topics such as ice dynamics, glacier hydrology, remote sensing and climate monitoring. We have a strong focus on multi-disciplinary collaboration across the department and hold regular seminars and other activities to foster this. We also prioritise social arrangements to welcome and integrate new employees into our informal and friendly working environment.

A working environment with a focus on professional development and well-being

There are many good reasons why you should choose a working life at GEUS.

We are a diverse staff of about 300 committed employees. Trust and flexibility are keywords. The working environment is lively, informal and international. Our tasks are versatile and there are plenty of opportunities for you to influence the development of your task portfolio.

We prioritise professional development, among other things, by offering access to courses and other relevant activities. Socialising is also very important at GEUS, and we have a rich social life with a staff club, an art association and a gym with associated physiotherapists..

At GEUS, we prioritise the well-being of every single employee. We prioritise that the Heads of Departments are close to the employees, and we have flexible working hours that allow you to organise your life so that there is time for what matters to you. If you need to work from home occasionally, that is also possible.

Salary and terms of employment

Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the relevant trade union agreement.

The appointment presupposes that the student can be admitted to PhD studies at the Department of Space Research and Technology at the Technical University of Denmark. The employment period is 3 years, the working week is 37 hours. Read more about the rules and requirements for admission as a PhD student: https://www.dtu.dk/english/education/phd/applicant/pre_acceptance-1-

The appointment area is the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities and its institutions.

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities considers diversity to be an asset and encourages anyone regardless of gender, age, religion or ethnicity to seek the position.

Further information

If you would like additional information, please contact Professor Nanna B. Karlsson, [e-mail] , DTU Professor Louise S. Sørensen, [e-mail] or Head of Department Signe B. Andersen on [phone] or [e-mail] .

The application must include your CV and degree certificate or a pre-approval signed by the supervisor and examiner, showing that the thesis will be approved. The pre-approval must be confirmed by the educational institution.