PhD scholarship in Modelling of Ionospheric Currents - DTU Space
If you are seeking to establish your career as a physicist working with polar space physics and ionospheric electrodynamics, this PhD project offers the opportunity to develop new methods for extracting information about ionospheric dynamics from ground-based magnetic measurements. At DTU Space, you will combine observations, computational modelling, and inverse methods to improve our understanding of electric currents in the ionosphere and in the conducting Earth below.
Responsibilities and qualifications
Your overall focus will be to develop new computational tools for using ground magnetometer measurements to study ionospheric dynamics at polar latitudes. You will build on the department’s established expertise in magnetic measurements and ionospheric electrodynamics, with a particular focus on improved modelling of currents induced in the conducting Earth. You will work closely with colleagues at DTU and with international partners through the ESA Swarm and NASA EZIE satellite missions.
Your primary tasks will be to:
- Harmonize data from DTU’s ground magnetometer array for use in large-scale mapping of ionospheric electrodynamics
- Develop new tools for mapping electric currents in the ionosphere and the associated induced current in the Earth.
- Interpret results in terms of ionospheric electrodynamics, in combination with other measurements and models.
- Assist with MSc and BSc courses in DTU’s Earth and Space Physics and Engineering programme
- Teach and supervise BSc and MSc student projects in the Division of Geomagnetism and Geospace
We seek a candidate with the following qualifications:
- You must have experience in working with ground magnetometer data and in using them for modelling of ionospheric currents
- You must have expertise in computational modelling, inverse methods, and scientific programming in Python
- You must have a MSc in Earth and Space Physics or a related subject
You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.
Assessment
The assessment of candidates will be made by senior researcher Karl M. Laundal
We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility
Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Please see DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures
The period of employment is 3 years.
Starting date is 1. January 2027. The position is a full-time position.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here.
Further information
Further information may be obtained from senior researcher Karl M. Laundal, DTU Space, https://orbit.dtu.dk/en/persons/karl-magnus-laundal/
You can read more about DTU Space at https://www.space.dtu.dk/english
If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU - Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.
Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than Sunday, 4 October 2026 (23:59 Danish time).
Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:
- A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
- Curriculum vitae
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.
About DTU Space
The DTU Space Institute has about 250 employees and is located in the greater Copenhagen area at the Lyngby Campus of the Technical University of Denmark. We link natural science closely with the development of new technology. DTU Space is involved in the full life cycle of space activities, including concept and design, construction and prototyping, calibration and validation, implementation and operations, data analysis, processing, dissemination, and applications, leading to new instruments and applications. With the specialised and refined technology available, we are getting more and more answers and further insight about the Earth and the universe surrounding us. We contribute to about 200 scientific publications a year.
DTU - For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.