Postdoc in Satellite Glaciology - DTU Space

Technical University of Denmark · Kongens Lyngby

Are you establishing your career in Earth Observation or glaciology, and want to pioneer the first application of a novel satellite dataset to study the Greenland Ice Sheet?

Join the Geodesy and Earth Observation (GEO) Division at DTU Space, where you will help re-imagine the SWOT satellite mission – originally built to map ocean and river water levels – for an experimental application: Tracking meltwater as it travels deep beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet. If successful, your work could open a window into the ice sheet's hidden hydrology and reshape how we predict its future in a warming climate.

Responsibilities and qualifications
As a postdoc on the SWOT-ICE Experiment, your main task will be to develop and apply new methods for extracting meaningful surface elevation-change signals from the SWOT satellite's measurements over the Greenland Ice Sheet. You will process and correct the SWOT elevation data, which is currently unreliable over the steep, evolving ice due to issues such as geolocation offsets, and combine the resulting elevation-change fields with SWOT's backscatter data to search for signatures of how meltwater is stored and routed beneath the ice.

Your primary tasks will be to:

Develop a processing framework for SWOT altimetry over the Greenland Ice Sheet, including a method to identify and correct geolocation offsets between repeat passes
Extract and validate near-continuous time series of surface elevation change from SWOT data against ICESat-2 laser altimetry
Combine elevation-change and backscatter observations to investigate signatures of subglacial hydrological activity
Interpret the results in the context of current understanding of hydrologically driven ice dynamics
Present findings at international conferences and publish results in peer-reviewed journals
Contribute to the broader research environment at DTU Space, including collaboration with colleagues and partners
Contribute to a limited amount of teaching within DTU Space's course portfolio

You will be part of the Cryosphere Research group – a fast-growing, dedicated research team in the GEO Division – and will have considerable independence in shaping the direction of the analysis.

As a candidate, you should have:

A strong quantitative background in remote sensing, satellite geodesy, glaciology, or a closely related field
Solid programming and data-analysis skills (ideally in Python) for working with large datasets
Experience working with Earth Observation data, ideally including satellite altimetry
An independent and curious approach to research, and comfort working with unproven methods on an exploratory project
Strong written and spoken English communication skills

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent).

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. In addition, supplements can be negotiated in accordance with DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures.

The period of employment is 2 years.

Starting date is between 1 February 2027 and 15 March 2027, by mutual agreement.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Senior Researcher Mai Winstrup, maiwin@dtu.dk, Cryosphere Research group, GEO Division.

You can read more about the Cryosphere Research group 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.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 12 November 2026 (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 has about 250 employees and is located in the greater Copenhagen area at the Lyngby Campus of the Technical University of Denmark, together with 19 other institutes within the technical sciences. We link natural science closely with the development of new technology, spanning research areas from geodesy and Earth Observation to astrophysics and space instrumentation. DTU Space is involved in the full life cycle of space activities, including concept and design, construction and prototyping, calibration and validation, implementation and operations, data analysis, processing, dissemination, and applications, leading to new instruments and applications. We collaborate closely with ESA, NASA, and leading universities and companies worldwide, publish around 200 scientific papers a year, and serve as a key advisor to Danish authorities on space-related matters. Using specialized, cutting-edge technology and advanced data processing, we continue to expand our understanding of our planet and the universe beyond it.

In the Geodesy and Earth Observation (GEO) Division, current focus areas cover the cryosphere, gravity field and geoid modelling, sea level and ocean surface monitoring, geopositioning and navigation, and geodynamics. The division is currently active in the analysis of data from several satellite missions, including CryoSat-2, ICESat-2, and Sentinel-3, and conducts extensive airborne and ground-based fieldwork across Greenland and Antarctica. The division also maintains national geodetic reference infrastructure and runs instrument validation campaigns such as CryoVEx.

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.

DTU Space is looking for a postdoc repurposing the SWOT (Surface Water and Ocean Topography) satellite mission to detect subtle ice sheet elevation changes caused by meltwater moving through the ice sheet’s subglacial drainage system.

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