Postdoc in near-surface geophysics

The Hydrogeophysics Group (HGG) at the Department of Geoscience, Aarhus University, invites applicants for a postdoctoral position in the field of near-surface geophysics. We are searching for a highly motivated researcher with strong numerical competences to work with integration of electrical and electromagnetic data into hydrological models.
 
This is a 1 year position with start as soon as possible. The position may be extended for another year depending on funding.

The postdoc will work with electric and electromagnetic methods and the integration of geophysical data into hydrological models. The job includes both field work, data processing, numerical modelling, inversion, and working on the interface between geophysical and hydrological models. The postdoc will have the opportunity to work with both sequential and coupled hydrogeophysical inversion set-ups using either deterministic or probabilistic inversion methods. This work requires a good understating of numerical methods and experience with modelling in Matlab, Python, or Fortran. Across these domains, the position will be tailored to the qualifications of the candidate.

In the Blue Transition project, the postdoc will contribute to research that aims at establishing a more climate resilient North Sea Region. In one of the project’s peatland pilot areas, the postdoc will contribute to the geophysical mapping of the near subsurface with a focus on peat thicknesses and water flow paths using transient electromagnetic, electrical resistivity, and induced polarization methods. The geophysical models will with the help from geologists and hydrologists be integrated into a geological and hydrological model of the wetland area and used to assess the influence of water table fluctuations and re-wetting on the hydrological system and CO2 emissions.

HGG has a large focus on geophysical instrument development. Most recently, a towed transient electromagnetic system (tTEM), a high-speed high-density cross borehole ERT-IP instrument (ADAPT), and a drone-born TEM system (SuperTEM) have been developed in the group. This means that most fieldwork also involves testing and working with new prototypes and state-of-the-art systems. The postdoc will have the opportunity to undertake research tasks that includes fieldwork in Denmark, India, and Africa focusing on mapping groundwater resources and saltwater intrusions.

Furthermore, together with other scientists in the group, the postdoc will be required to write scientific papers to be submitted to international peer reviewed journals. It is also expected that the postdoc can contribute to supervision and teaching at the department as a co-supervisor or guest lecturer. 
 
Education
PhD degree in Geophysics/Hydrogeophysics or relevant field (e.g. Physics, Engineering, or similar discipline) from a renowned institution/university.

Experience
Background in electrical or electromagnetic methods, previous experience in transient electromagnetics is an advantage.
Significant background in programming and numerical modelling. Matlab, Python, and/or Fortran experience are preferred.
Previous experience with integration of geophysical data in hydrological models or knowledge of hydrological modelling is an advantage.
A good record of geophysical fieldwork and working with field data.
Strong organizational skills, previous project management experience is preferred.
Applicant must have written several scientific papers and have experience presenting scientific results at conferences and meetings.
The applicant will be part of the HGG group with 20+ scientists, engineers, software developers, postdocs, and PhD students from all over the world. HGG covers many aspects within geophysics including building and testing instruments, development of inversion software, and applying TEM, ERT/IP and NMR methods in projects with focus on mapping and monitoring of groundwater, hydrogeology, raw materials, and contamination. The applicant will work across many projects, but have a core focus on the EU InterReg funded project Blue Transition (www.interregnorthsea.eu/blue-transition).

Place of work and area of employment
The place of work will be Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 2, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
 
Contact information
For further information, please contact: Assistant Professor Line Meldgaard,+45 27851816, linemeldgaard@geo.au.dk.

Deadline
Applications must be received no later than June 16, 2023.

Ensuring gender balance at the Department of Geoscience is a high priority at Aarhus University. No candidate will be given preferential treatment, and all applicants will be assessed on the basis of their qualifications for the position in question.

Application procedure
Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

Letter of reference
If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline. Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

Formalities and salary range
Natural Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

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.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.