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

Technical University of Denmark · Kongens Lyngby

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.

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. 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, ssim@dtu.dk. 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.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 29 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:

A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
Curriculum vitae
Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
A one-page description of a computational or mathematical project you have done (e.g., your MSc thesis): the problem, your methods and your own contribution.

You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

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.

You will join the Cryosphere Research Group in the Geodesy and Earth Observation Division at DTU Space, Lyngby Campus. We use satellites, models and on-the-ground measurements to understand how ice sheets and glaciers are changing and what this means for sea level, in projects for ESA and the EU. Our group is international and collaborative, and we value curiosity, good supervision and a healthy work-life balance.

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.

Turn physics into code for climate science: in this 3-year PhD at DTU Space, you will combine physics-informed machine learning and satellite data to predict when Greenland’s firn loses its meltwater storage capacity.

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