Postdoc in Modelling of Ecosystem Biogeochemistry of Wetlands

The Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management invites applications for a 3-year full time postdoctoral position on the development and application of models, to simulate the ecosystem biogeochemistry of wetlands, at regional to global scales. The work will assess the impacts of climate change and anthropogenic drivers on wetland greenhouse gas balances. The postdoc project is part of the Global Wetland Center, a research center funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. 

The Global Wetland Center contributes to the development of wetland-based climate change mitigation strategies through a combination of biogeochemical and hydrological modelling, in situ measurements, satellite remote sensing, and use of Artificial Intelligence techniques. The Center is a collaboration between the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management and the Department of Computer Sciences at the University of Copenhagen, DHI A/S, and GEUS (The Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland). The center is funded for a six-year period (2024-2029).

We are looking for a candidate that will develop and use modelling tools constrained by observations to simulate emissions of CO2, CH4 and N2O from wetlands. We envisage combining process-based modelling and machine learning, as well as integration of Earth observation data into the modelling framework. The objective is to quantify the GHG budgets of wetlands across the globe (tropical inland wetlands, northern high-latitude wetlands, coastal wetlands) under current and future climatic conditions and investigate direct anthropogenic impacts by quantifying the roles of wetland management (draining, rewetting) and land use.

Specifically, we hope to find a candidate who is eager to investigate new modelling techniques (e.g., differentiable programming) for upscaling of GHG fluxes, and who is willing to discuss the model complexity needed to capture global-scale wetland GHG emissions. The work will build on ongoing model development in the Global Wetland Center, and will require a close collaboration with hydrological modellers, experts in Earth observation, and computer scientists. 

The postdoc’s duties will include research within the field described above as well as teaching. The post may also include performance of other duties. The postdoc will be a part of the Global Wetland Center and will join a large team of 10-15 Early Career Scientists conducting research on wetlands.

Further information on the Department is available at https://ign.ku.dk/  Further information on the Global Wetland Center is available at https://globalwetlandcenter.ku.dk/  Inquiries about the position can be made to Guy Schurgers, gusc@ign.ku.dk, leader of the Global Wetland Center. 

The position is open from 1 January 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Qualifications
Applicants should hold a PhD degree in geography, environmental sciences, ecology, computer sciences or related disciplines. We are seeking a motivated candidate with experience with process-based modelling, hybrid modelling and/or machine learning to study ecosystem processes, as well as with handling of big data and/or processing of Earth observation data. Specifically, experience with Python, PyTorch and differentiable programming are considered assets.

Terms of employment
The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Employment is as postdoc under the applicable collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement based on qualifications is possible.

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.You can read more about salary levels in the state sector here: www.loenoverblik.dk (In Danish).

Please include

• Curriculum vitae
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• A brief research plan describing your ideas for how to address regional- or global-scale modelling of wetland greenhouse gas emissions (max 1 page)
• Complete publication list
• Reprints (pdfs) of maximum three of your own papers relevant to the project

The deadline for applications is 5 October 2026, 23:59 GMT+2
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

Interviews will be held in week 44 and/or 45.