PhD fellowship in Physical Geography

PhD project in coastal wetland sediment dynamics

Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management
Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen



The Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in Physical Geography, dealing with the impact of sea-level rise and coastal squeeze on tidal flat evolution and sediment characteristics in coastal wetlands. The project is part of the research project ‘WadProof - Future-proofing the intertidal resource capital of the Danish Wadden Sea World Heritage Site’, funded by the Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation.

Start date is March 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project

The PhD fellowship is part of the multidisciplinary ‘WadProof’ project focusing on advancing knowledge on the effects of sea-level rise and coastal squeeze on coastal wetland tidal flats sediment characteristics, the benthic fauna and the feeding opportunities for migratory birds in the Wadden Sea. The primary focus of the research will be to explore recent and historical changes in tidal flat texture, assess the effects of dikes and evaluate controlling drivers and forcing of tidal flat sediment characteristics and dynamics.

The PhD candidate will be collecting and analysing tidal flat surface sediment and core data, collect hydro- and sediment dynamic data and test remote sensing techniques using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and orthophoto to map intertidal marine sediment type distributions. During the fellowship there will be periods with fieldwork in the Wadden Sea, laboratory and course work, teaching and dissemination.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for candidates within the fields of physical geography, marine geology or other geosciences. Applicants should have a MSc degree and interest in estuarine and coastal geomorphology and good communication skills in spoken and written English. Experience with collection and analysis of empirical data, conducting field work and knowledge on UAV data collection and processing is considered an advantage.

Our group and research - and what do we offer?

The PhD candidate will be a member of the research group ‘Geomorphology, processes and landscapes’ in the Section for Geography. The research group studies processes that shape coastal, estuarine, marine, fluvial and glacial landscapes. We work at multiple temporal and spatial scales ranging from grains to landscapes and from seconds to millennial. The group uses quantitative methods with a strong focus on empirical data collection to map, analyse and understand the physical processes that shape the earth surface. Our group currently comprises two full time professors, two tenure-track assistant professors, postdocs and PhD students.

The group is a part of Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located in Copenhagen. In the project you will be collaborating with researchers from Aarhus University and from the Danish Coastal Authority.

Further information on the Department is found at https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation. Inquiries about the position can be made to Mikkel Fruergaard ([email protected]).

1. Principal supervisor is Professor Thorbjørn Joest Andersen, Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, [email protected], phone: +45 35322503
2. Secondary supervisor is Assistant Professor Mikkel Fruergaard, Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, [email protected], phone +45 35322516
3. External supervisor is chief advisor & coastal engineer Carlo Sass Sørensen from the Danish Coastal Authority.

The PhD programme

A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.

Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrollment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks in the PhD program

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision

• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in physical geography and coastal geomorphology
• Good language skills

Application and Assessment Procedure

Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
2. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
4. Publication list (if possible)
5. Reference letters (if available)

Application deadline:

The deadline for applications is 2 December 2024, 23:59 GMT +1.

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above-mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.



Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.