DTU Space would like to invite applications for a 3-year PhD position starting, in April 2013. The funding is shared between The Danish Council for Independent Research – Natural Sciences and the Technical University of Denmark.

Project Description
The possibility for rapid melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) ranks among the most serious climate threats to our societies. Recent years have shown that loss of ice accelerates much faster – 22 Gt/yr2 over only two decades – than models currently can capture. This makes GrIS one of the largest single contributors to sea level rise, contributing c. 0.5 of a total of c. 3 mm/yr.

The future behavior of the GrIS is therefore of greatest concern, but also one of the largest unknowns in climate research. Reliable predictions of the future behavior of GrIS are hampered especially by lack of knowledge of the ice marginal dynamic, but not least by the short interval covered by instrumental data, which does not allow separating fluctuations from trends, as noted in the IPCC-AR4 report.

This study address these problems by targeting one of the most climate sensitive parts of the GrIS over a range of timescales from the most recent space airborne observations to historical aerial photographs over the previous century, through high-resolution geological records from lake and coastal environments spanning the last millennium – tied together by a dynamical ice sheet model.

Qualifications
Candidates should hold a MSc degree or equivalent academic qualifications. Preference will be given to candidates who can document skills in areas such as glaciology, geodesy and remote sensing. Furthermore, English proficiency is essential.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the DTU PhD Guide.

We offer
We offer an interesting and challenging job in an international environment focusing on education, research, public-sector consultancy and innovation, which contribute to enhancing the economy and improving social welfare. We strive for academic excellence, collegial respect and freedom tempered by responsibility. The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is a leading technical university in northern Europe and benchmarks with the best universities in the world. For further detail concerning DTU Space, please see http://www.space.dtu.dk/English.aspx

Salary and appointment terms
The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students. The period of employment is 3 years.

The starting salary (for a newly graduated MSc) is approximately DKK 29.000 gross (including approximately DKK 3.500 for pension contribution), or $5.300, per month.

The study will be based at the DTU-Space facilities on the DTU Campus in Lyngby, approximately 15 km north of central Copenhagen.

Further Information
Further information concerning the project can be obtained from Senior Scientist Shfaqat Abbas Khan, + 45 4525 9775.

Further information concerning the application is available at the DTU Space homepage,http://www.space.dtu.dk/English.aspx

Application
We must have your online application by 15 March 2013.

Applications must be submitted as one pdf file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link « Apply online, » fill in 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
• Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and excel spreadsheet here)

Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master’s degree, but cannot begin before having received it.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.