How to model the impacts of pesticides and chemicals from local to global scale?
This 18 months programmer position will implement a new modeling platform the Pangea-USEtoxGeo model that assesses the worldwide environmental and human health impacts of chemicals
You are motivated and committed, with experience in data science, programming and a mathematical or modeling background and/or interest. If you want to apply your skills to contribute to advance the understanding and prevention of chemical impacts on the environment and human health, this programming position offers a meaningful opportunity for you!
The job
The position is offered at the Section for Quantitative Sustainability Assessment (QSA) within the Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering (DTU Sustain). QSA offers a collaborative environment to spearhead development of methods and application of life cycle impact assessment and sustainability assessment of products and chemicals, evaluating their impacts on both human health and the environment. Your work will be part of the EU-funded TerraChem project, which aims to assess the terrestrial impacts of chemicals from soils to apex species: chemical pathways, effects and impacts on terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystem services and applications for better chemicals management.
The present programming position does not require specific knowledge in environmental sciences. It will implement the available Pangea pilot model into a new prepared USEtoxGeo framework in Python. USEtox is the scientific consensus
model for impacts of chemicals on human health and ecosystem working at continental scale, officially endorsed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Life Cycle Initiative and used by the European Commission Joint Research Centre. USEtoxGeo will be its high-resolution version with up to 100,000 watersheds, building on a pilot model called Pangea . The implementation of USEtoxGeo follows a modular design to maximize flexibility for future extensions and the underlying data structure is based on graph data structures. The development will be carried out in interaction with project collaborators who will provide the environmental models sides of the project. The position is full-time and based at DTU Lyngby campus, just north of Copenhagen.
You will create a Geospatial model, for which your primary tasks will include the following:
Required qualifications
You should have a master’s degree in programming, in data science, applied mathematics, computational methods, environmental or health informatics or a similar degree within the scientific fields relevant to the topics covered above.
In addition, you must have several of the following:
A strong motivation for science-based data research and its application to environmental impacts models, a collaborative team spirit and excellent communication skills in English are essential for a successful application.
What we offer in return
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 (AC). The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.
The period of employment is 18 months. Starting date as soon as possible. The position is a full-time position.
Application and contact
thease submit your online application no later than 17 April 2026 (23:59 Danish time).
Open the “Apply now” link, fill out the form and attach your motivated application, CV and exam certificates.
Beside cover letter (motivated application), CV and exam certificates please submit:
(2) Independent algorithmic thinking,
And possibly in
Further information may be obtained from Dr. Ali Akbar Eftekhari (aliak@dtu.dk) and Prof. Olivier Jolliet (ojoll@dtu.dk)
You can read more about the DTU Sustain department at https://sustain.dtu.dk/en
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.
DTU Sustain - Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering - is one of the largest university departments specializing in environmental and resource engineering in Europe. The department conducts research, development & scientific advice and provides educational programs and service to society. We are working to develop new environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies, methods and solutions, and to disseminate this knowledge to society and future generations of engineers. The Department has approximately 300 staff from more than 30 nationalities.
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.