PhD fellowship in Water Resources Management Full-time

PhD Fellowship In Integrated Optimization Modelling Of Groundwater-based Water Supply Systems

The Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, section geology invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in Integrated Optimization Modelling of Groundwater-based Water Supply Systems. The project is part of the research project “Water2050 – Water Supply Security in Denmark to 2050”, which is financed by Innovation Fund Denmark.

Start date is August 1st, 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project will evaluate supply-side and demand-side interventions to ensure water supply security in Denmark. We will develop an integrated optimization model, combining the GEUS National Hydrological Model, the Jupiter database of the water supply infrastructure, new water supply options, and models of water users to find adaptation options. We will use this new planning and decision support tool to evaluate portfolios of infrastructure investments and policy changes under different climate and socioeconomic scenarios, and to find optimal, cost-effective, and robust adaptation options which ensure safety, reliability, resilience, sustainability, and climate robustness of the Danish water supply system to 2050. Based on these results, Water2050 will provide recommendations for optimal adaptation of the Danish water supply system to 2050.

We are looking for candidates within the field of Earth and Environmental Science and/or Engineering. Applicants can have a background in groundwater modeling, optimization modeling, water resources economics, or similar areas related to the project.

The PhD position will be shared between the Geology Section at the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen and the Department of Hydrology at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland. The two units are located in close spatial proximity and have a long history of collaborative research. The group is a part of Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. We are located in Copenhagen.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and computational infrastructure.

Principal supervisor is Professor Peter Bauer-Gottwein, pbg@ign.ku.dk, +45 41120827

Co-supervisor is Senior Researcher Raphael Schneider, rs@geus.dk, +45 91333648

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, e.g. Geology, Geography, Earth Sciences, Environmental Engineering, etc. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment 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.

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

Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project

Relevant publications

Relevant work experience

Other relevant professional activities

Curious mind-set with a strong interest in interaction with stakeholders

Good language skills

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

Please include:

Motivated letter of application (max. one page)

Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position

Original diplomas for Bachelor or Master 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.

Publication list (if applicable)

Reference letters (if available)

The deadline for applications is 27 April 2026, 23:59 GMT +2

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.

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. Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in May 2026.

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.

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