Applications are invited for an Industrial PhD fellowship at Graduate School of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Geoscience programme. The successful candidate will be part of an application for an industrial PhD from the Innovation Fund Denmark. The position is available from 1 June 2026 or later.

Title:
Drone-Based Transient Electromagnetic System for High-Resolution Groundwater and Environmental Mapping

Research area and project description:
Climate-resilient management of groundwater and groundwater-dependent ecosystems requires detailed knowledge of subsurface geology. However, traditional data sources such as boreholes and geological maps are often sparse, expensive, and insufficient for field-scale decision-making. High-resolution geophysical imaging offers a non-invasive pathway to overcome these limitations.

Transient electromagnetics (TEM) is one of the most effective tools for hydrogeological mapping. Yet, existing systems are either ground-based and logistically demanding, or airborne and prohibitively expensive. A critical technological gap remains: cost-effective, high-density 3D mapping at the field-to-catchment scale, particularly in inaccessible or sensitive terrains such as forests, wetlands, and agricultural fields.

This Industrial PhD project aims to develop a lightweight drone-based TEM system capable of mapping to depths of 100–150 meters while remaining compatible with commercial UAV platforms (maximum total system weight 25 kg). The ambition is to deliver a next-generation, cost-effective imaging platform that bridges the gap between ground-based and conventional airborne TEM systems.

The project is a collaboration between Aarhus University (Hydrogeophysics Group) and TEMcompany ApS.

The project has three main objectives:

1. Develop a lightweight drone-based TEM system capable of imaging to 100–150 m depth, including numerical modelling, system optimization, and field validation.
2. Mitigate motion-induced noise through advanced signal processing and aerodynamic coil design.
3. Benchmark the system against alternative geophysical approaches using numerical simulations and field case studies.

For more information about doing an industrial PhD research project, see both the website of Aarhus University and of Innovation Fund Denmark.

For technical reasons, you must upload a project description. When - as here - you apply for a specific project, please simply copy the project description above, and upload it as a PDF in the application. If you wish to, you can indicate an URL where further information can be found.

Qualifications and specific competences:
Applicants must hold a relevant Master’s degree in geophysics, physics, engineering, or a related discipline.

Required qualifications:

• Excellent numerical modelling skills
• Strong programming experience (C and Python preferred)
• Excellent written and oral English skills
• Experience with doing advanced field experiments
• Some experience in instrumentation design and hardware–software integration
• Self-motivated individual, well-suited to independent project-work

Advantageous qualifications:

• Strong background in electromagnetics and/or geophysical methods
• Experience in signal processing and spectral analysis
• Experience with forward and inversion modelling modelling of electromagnetic data
• Experience with drone/UAV systems field platforms

Note that Industrial PhD candidates must have a relevant Master’s degree.

Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Department of Geoscience, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 2, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.  

Since it is an Industrial PhD project, the Industrial PhD candidate will be employed in the company and enrolled at Graduate School of Natural Sciences. The Industrial PhD candidate is expected to split the time equally between the company and the university, i.e. work equally in both places – the actual scheduling will be decided within the framework of the project.   

Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information for this project are invited to contact: Associate Professor, Denys Grombacher and denys.grombacher@geo.au.dk, CTO, Pradip Maurya and pkm@temcompany.com or CEO, Esben Auken, ea@temcompany.com 

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 2026)

1. Choose May 2026 Call with deadline 1 April 2026 at 23:59 CEST.
2. You will be directed to the call and must choose the programme “Geoscience”.
3. In the boxed named “Study”: In the dropdown menu, please choose: “Drone-Based Transient Electromagnetic System for High-Resolution Groundwater and Environmental Mapping (DTESHG)” 

Please note:

• The programme committee may request further information or invite the applicant to attend an interview.
• Admission is contingent upon full external funding from Innovation Fund Denmark, thus, if approved by GSNS, it will be a conditional approval until full external funding is secured. 

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.