PhD Scholarship in Surveillance - DTU Space

Danmarks Tekniske Universitet; Ørsted; On-site; DKK 340,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

DTU invites applications for a PhD scholarship within the Center for Security, conducted in collaboration with DTU Aqua, Space, Electro, and Compute. The project focuses on developing Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) and hydrophone systems for Arctic and maritime surveillance, with AI-based data fusion and broad international engagement.

The scholarship is funded by the Danish Defense and the appointment lasts 3 years.

Qualifications

• Master's degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent in a relevant field.
• Enrollment in a general DTU PhD programme; admission subject to academic approval.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and validate methods for Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) and hydrophone systems for Arctic, marine and critical infrastructure surveillance.
• Exploit AI to fuse measurements derived from different techniques and sensors.
• Collaborate with DTU Space, DTU Aqua, DTU Electro, DTU Compute and project partners in industry and government.
• Contribute to the international research community by presenting results at conferences and publishing in peer‑reviewed journals.

Education

Master's degree (2-year) or equivalent

Job description

More about seabed surveillance

DAS systems in seabed optical fibers and hydrophones can monitor ships, whales, trawl, waves, and seismic activity in real-time. Detection, classification, and ID methods developed for satellite imagery can also be used for acoustic data analysis. Through sensor fusion, they provide advanced maritime and critical infrastructure surveillance from seabed to space, from DK to the Arctic.

We offer

you the opportunity to be part of a broader project on Arctic and maritime surveillance, in which several departments at DTU conduct research on security-related aspects.

The project is funded by the Danish Defense.

You will

be a part of the young and dynamic Center for Security, working in collaboration with several departments at DTU Aqua, Space, Electro, and Compute. You will be involved in and contribute to related ongoing projects. Your main tasks will be to design, develop, and validate methods for Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) and hydrophone systems for Arctic, marine, and critical infrastructure surveillance. You will exploit AI to fuse measurements derived using different techniques and sensors and extend collaboration within Security DTU, including with departments at DTU Aqua, Space, Electro, and Compute, as well as with project partners in industry, government agencies, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and other countries. You will also contribute to the international research community by presenting relevant results at international conferences and workshops and publishing in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.

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 applicant will be made by the Center for Security DTU, and DTU Aqua

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 appointment terms

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 3 years.

Starting date is sept. 2026 or later, according to mutual agreement.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Henning Heiselberg, Head of Security DTU, at [e-mail] or Patrizio Mariani, DTU Aqua at [e-mail].

You can read more at www.security.dk.

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.

All interested candidates

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

DTU Space is located at the Lyngby Campus of the Technical University of Denmark and is the leading institution concerning public space activities in Denmark. The mission of the Institute is to conduct research, development, public-sector consultancy, education, and innovation at the highest international level in the following areas: Space Technology & Instrumentation, Earth Observation & Geoscience, and Space & Astrophysics.

DTU - For the benefit of society since 1829

DTU 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.

Location

Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark