An 18-month postdoctoral position is available from August 1st, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter, at Aarhus University, in the HydroGeophysics Group (HGG) at the Department of Geoscience. The position focuses on frequency-domain electromagnetic (FEM) and transient electromagnetic (TEM) methods.

The successful candidate will contribute to the development of an inversion framework for the joint inversion of FEM and TEM data of variable spatial density and sensitivity. The work will build on a recently developed EM forward operator, with the opportunity to design and implement the inversion engine that supports it. The goal is to deliver a computationally efficient and flexible inversion platform for electromagnetic data.

The postdoc will also support EM method development within the Ethio-Nature project, a large initiative funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and managed by Danida Fellowship Council. Ethio-Nature aims to optimize the use of machine learning and remote sensing to site nature-based solutions that enhance local recharge and support the replenishment of shallow groundwater systems in dryland environments.

The project combines shallow FEM with deeper ground-based TEM approaches, balancing the need for high-resolution imaging of shallow infiltration zones with the ability to map deeper flow paths and connections to underlying aquifers. The work will include numerical development as well as field data collection at multiple test sites in Ethiopia.


Job assignments

The successful candidate will join a large, collaborative team of researchers with expertise in electromagnetic (EM) forward modeling, inversion, and applied EM studies. Within this team, the candidate will be responsible for the numerical development of inversion codes for both frequency-domain (FEM) and transient electromagnetic (TEM) data. A key task will be to conduct numerical sensitivity analyses for potential acquisition protocols employing both FEM and TEM data, with an eye towards optimizing field practices for the joint-mapping of shallow conditions of relevance to nature-based solutions in drylands conditions. Key questions related to the balance of FEM versus TEM data coverage to optimally balance shallow resolution and deep penetration will be investigated.  

The successful candidate will also participate in field campaigns in Denmark and Ethiopia for real-world validation of the developed inversion protocols, as well as to provide training data in support of machine learning and remote sensing based methods aiming to optimize siting of nature-based solutions.

Key tasks include:

• Developing and implementing inversion algorithms, including a focus on the integration of spatially constrained regularization schemes.
• Collaborating with forward modeling experts to ensure seamless integration with a recently developed python-based EM forward operator.
• Contributing to the development of a freeware software package that offers both forward and inverse modeling capabilities for FEM and TEM data.
• Collection of FEM and TEM data in both Denmark and Ethiopia.

The position offers an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of fundamental numerical development and applied geophysical research, contributing directly to open-source tools used in academic and applied settings worldwide.
In addition to colleagues at the Hydrogeophysics group, the candidate will also work closely with machine learning experts at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, as well as Ethiopian researchers specializing in Geophysics and Nature-based solutions.

The candidate must be willing to participate in field work in Ethiopia.


Required qualifications for the position:

• PhD degree in geophysics, physics, engineering, or similar.
• In-depth experience and proven expertise in electromagnetic forward and/or inverse modelling.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong numerical skills.
• Programming experience, advanced python is mandatory.
• Experience in field data collection, experience in remote field conditions is a plus.
• Excellent English skills both oral and in writing.

The qualified candidates must have several peer reviewed scientific publications in recognized international journals and experience in presenting scientific results at conferences and meetings. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to participate in teaching, supervision and curriculum development in relation to the main research topics.


Place of Employment and Place of Work:

The place of employment will be Aarhus University, and the place of work is Department of Geoscience, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 2, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark. The candidate is expected to move to Aarhus (or nearby) and to integrate into the office work setting at the Department of Geoscience.


Further information

Applicants are encouraged to contact Associate Professor Denys Grombacher, Department of Geoscience, denys.grombacher@geo.au.dk, for additional information.

International candidates are welcome to apply. No funds are available to cover relocation and/or visa expenses.
 


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.

If you wish to add a referee after you have submitted your application, you must send this person’s details (name, job title, place of work, and email address) as well as the name of the position you have applied for to: HR.Nattech@au.dk


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.

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.

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

 


Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/