Applications are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Geoscience programme. The position is available from August 2025 or later.
Title:
Drowned Palaeolandscapes – a geological record for assessing landscape and environment response to postglacial sea level rise and climate change
Research area and project description:
Candidates are invited to apply for a PhD fellowship focused on submerged palaeolandscape analysis primarily by means of high-resolution marine seismic data and sediment cores, with possibilities of utilizing numerical modelling approaches and machine learning.
The successful candidate will become part of the RisingSea research group working to assess and quantify the preservation degree of drowned palaeolandscapes and the response of low-topography landscapes and environments to rising sea level. More broadly, the project aims to utilize the geological archives of the eastern North Sea Basin to develop our basic understanding and reference framework for how low-topography landscapes and environments respond to rising sea level and climate change over longer time scales.
One of the main objectives of the research group is to establish a Drowned Palaeolandscape Atlas, where the geophysical characteristics of specific preserved landscape types are described, and seismic morphologies are linked to various palaeoenvironments. The PhD candidate will contribute to this work.
The PhD candidate will use seismo-acoustic data and sediment cores to study the geological processes that are prevalent during flooding and sea-level rise. The results will be of relevance for future climate mitigation and adaptions, sustainable use of the coastal zones, offshore windfarm constructions and geo-archaeology.
The project involves offshore fieldwork opportunities and close collaboration with research and industry partners both nationally and internationally; - including universities and research institutions in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. The PhD project will preferably include a research visit to one of the collaborating institutions.
The PhD position is funded by the Carlsberg Foundation.
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Qualifications and specific competences:
Applicants must have a relevant Master’s degree or at least one year of a Master’s degree in geology, geophysics or similar. In addition, the candidate will have demonstrated analytical skills, a good command of English, excellent interpersonal skills, an open attitude to interdisciplinary research, and the ability to work in international collaborations. Previous experience with seismic and acoustic data and sediment cores, software for seismic interpretation and processing, and integrative approaches for combining geophysical, geotechnical, and geological data is highly desired.
Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 2, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.
Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information for this project are invited to contact: Associate Professor Katrine Juul Andresen, katrine.andresen@geo.au.dk
How to apply:
For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see the Application guide. Please read the Application guide thoroughly before applying.
When ready to apply, go to https://phd.nat.au.dk/for-applicants/apply-here/ (Note, the online application system opens 1 March 2025)
Please note:
At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.
Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background.
