PhD in Monitoring and Predicting Droughts on National Scale at Aalborg University Aalborg University in Denmark

PhD stipend at Aalborg University in Monitoring and Predicting Droughts on National Scale.

This opening is part of the DREAM project, Drought Resilience through satellite-integrated Early warning And Monitoring, funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF). The project aims to build a satellite-integrated hydro-meteorological drought early warning and monitoring system for large-scale river basins, with a focus on data-driven and model-based drought prediction.

The PhD topic focuses on developing a novel model-based drought index combination to capture dryness across the atmosphere, hydrology, and agriculture for Denmark. The student will work with the VIC model, including calibration, groundwater coupling, and assimilation of multiple satellite and in-situ observations such as streamflow, soil moisture, and groundwater. The work also includes short-to-seasonal predictions of water dynamics under different dryness scenarios.

Relevant study areas and keywords: hydrology, water resources, geodesy, Earth observation, satellite data processing, meteorological/hydrological data analysis, data assimilation, numerical modelling, applied mathematics, computer science/engineering, and environmental science.

Eligibility highlights: applicants should hold an MSc equivalent to a Danish 2-year MSc in Geodesy, Hydrology, Water Resources, Civil Engineering, Physics and Meteorology, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science/Engineering, or a comparable discipline. Strong programming and numerical modelling skills are essential. Experience in at least two of the following is desirable: hydrological/land surface models, calibration/data assimilation, satellite geodetic or EO data processing, and meteorological/hydrological data processing. Good English skills are required.

Funding and conditions: this is a full-time PhD stipend for 3 years, with salary and employment terms according to Danish collective agreements. The position includes access to HPC infrastructure, modelling and data-assimilation expertise, conference participation, and a research stay abroad.

Application deadline: 20 May 2026.

How to apply: submit a motivation letter, project plan, CV with scientific outputs and two academic references, MSc diploma or supervisor statement if the degree is not yet completed, master thesis, and exam list with ECTS and grades. Applications must be submitted in PDF format in English unless otherwise indicated.