PhD Stipend in Drought Monitoring and Prediction Using Satellite-Integrated Models at Aalborg University Aalborg University in Denmark

Aalborg University’s Technical Faculty of IT and Design, Department of Sustainability and Planning (PLAN), invites applications for a fully funded PhD stipend within the general study programme Planning and Development. The position is part of the DREAM project, funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark, focusing on drought resilience through satellite-integrated early warning and monitoring systems for large-scale river basins.

The PhD project aims to develop a novel model-based drought index for Denmark, integrating atmospheric, hydrological, and agricultural dryness. The candidate will work on innovative approaches to drought identification, including calibration and groundwater coupling to the VIC model. The project involves simultaneous calibration and assimilation of satellite and in-situ observations (streamflow, soil moisture, groundwater) into the model, enabling short-to-seasonal predictions of water dynamics under various dryness scenarios.

Applicants should have an MSc degree (or equivalent) in Geodesy, Hydrology, Water Resources, Civil Engineering, Physics, Meteorology, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science/Engineering, or a related field. Essential skills include numerical modeling and programming. Experience in hydrological/land surface models, calibration/data assimilation, satellite geodetic/Earth Observation data processing, and meteorological/hydrological data analysis is desirable. Strong English communication skills are required.

The position offers an international, interdisciplinary working environment, access to in-house modeling and HPC infrastructure, participation in project meetings and international conferences, and a research stay abroad. Flexible working hours and support for work-life balance are provided. The PhD stipend is for 3 years, with salary and terms governed by the AC collective agreement. Candidates must enroll as PhD students at the Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design and complete PhD courses (30 ECTS), teaching/knowledge dissemination, and an external research stay (preferably 3-6 months).

To apply, submit a motivation letter, project plan, CV with scientific outputs and references, MSc diploma or supervisor’s statement, master thesis, and exam list with ECTS and grades in PDF format. Shortlisting will be applied, and all applicants will be informed of their status. For scientific queries, contact Professor Ehsan Forootan ([email protected]).

Aalborg University values diversity and encourages applications from all backgrounds. The main campus is in Aalborg, with additional campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen. The university is committed to real-world-oriented education and world-class research through collaboration with public and private partners.