PhD Scholarship in development of enhanced Argo Floats - DTU Aqua

This PhD will investigate the technical development of present-day open ocean profilers, enabling better position control, increased data processing and extended sensor capabilities for ocean observations.
A 3-year PhD fellowship is offered at DTU to investigate the development of present-day ARGO float structure, enabling better position control, increased data processing and extended sensor capabilities. This role focuses on automatic and autonomous data collection and perception technology within the marine environment. The PhD student will be co-supervised by two Departments at DTU, The National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua) and the Department of Electrical and Photonics Engineering. The student will be part of the Observation Technology group at DTU Aqua, and will focus on technology for open ocean monitoring with emphasis on the Danish, Faroese, and Greenlandic marine environments.

DTU Aqua is eager to welcome the PhD student into the Section for Oceans and Arctic. In this position, you will play a dual role: as an engineer, you will design improvements to ARGO float platforms, to support marine scientists and oceanographers by pioneering new observation technologies. You will have opportunities to discuss with a diverse range of stakeholders what improvements are needed, design and prototype a solution, and engage in real world testing. Concurrently, you will embrace the role of a data scientist, creating automated data collection and processing methods tailored to specific research initiatives in line with the project.

Responsibilities and tasks

• Innovate and develop new technologies, platforms, systems, and software to expand the ocean observation potential of DTU Aqua, with a focus on ARGO floats.
• Collaborate in research projects within the observation technology research area.
• Engage in a multidisciplinary setting, liaising with technicians, engineers, and specialist researchers.
• Demonstrate proficiency in design and development of physical hardware bound for a marine environment.
• A thesis comprising of three publications is expected as the outcome of the project.

Qualifications

• Possession of a MSc degree (or equivalent) in oceanography, mechanical, electronics, or mechatronics.
• Demonstrated research background, inclusive of thesis or articles published on pertinent subjects (autonomous robotics, acoustic, control, and/or optical data perception, use of ARGO float platforms).
• Proficiency in hardware design, and good technical understanding of the challenges faced in a marine environment.
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, and C++ programming dialects (knowledge in other languages will be valued).
• Marine fieldwork experience with deployed platforms is an advantage.
• Flexibility concerning research stays abroad (a foreign stay of 3 months is mandatory)
• Ability to conduct research independently and good problem-solving skills
• Good collaborative skills and strong interest in participating in an inter-disciplinary and international research environment
• Articulate communication capabilities in both spoken and written English; Danish proficiency is an advantage.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval. The candidate will be enrolled in the PhD school of DTU Aqua. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.

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. Your main supervisor will be Prof. Patrizio Mariani in Section for Oceans and Arctic at DTU Aqua, and your co-supervisors will be Associate Professor Roberto Galeazzi Head of DTU Centre for Collaborative Autonomous Systems at DTU Electro.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years. The expected starting date is 1st December 2024. 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 Prof. Patrizio Mariani, Institute for Aquatic Resources, Section of Ocean and Arctic ([email protected]). General information about the PhD school may be obtained from Susan Zumbach Johannesen ([email protected]).

You can read more about DTU Aqua at www.aqua.dtu.dk. 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 30 September 2024 (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 cover letter motivating the application
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• A draft project description: 2 pages with a concise proposal on the research idea within the PhD frame that you would like to explore

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, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Aqua – National Institute of Aquatic Resources – works for well-functioning oceans, rivers, and lakes where biodiversity can thrive. Our research, advisory service, and education contribute to the development of a sustainable blue bioeconomy, robust aquatic ecosystems, and reduced effects of climate change. We have a large national and international network and cooperate with research partners, public authorities, industry, and NGOs. We have state-of-the-art research facilities and Denmark’s only ocean- and arctic-going research vessel. The Institute has 360 employees, one-half being scientific staff, including 40 PhD students. More than 35 nationalities are represented at the Institute, and we support an equal gender distribution. We are located in Lyngby, Hirtshals, Nykøbing Mors, and Silkeborg and have regular activities in Greenland. Learn more on aqua.dtu.dk

The research spectrum of the Section for Oceans and Arctic covers oceanography, population ecology, observation technology and the Arctic. The research into oceanography integrates biological, physical and chemical parameters’ interactions in the ocean, ranging from individual plankton to regional seas. We focus on understanding the key processes that govern the structure and function of pelagic food webs, as well as climate and ecosystem interactions. The research in population ecology establishes how processes affecting individuals shape populations and ecosystems.

DTU Electro has more than 300 employees with competencies in electrical and photonics engineering. Research is performed within robotics, autonomous systems, power electronics, acoustic, nanophotonics, lasers, quantum photonics, optical sensors, LEDs, photovoltaics, ultra-high speed optical transmission systems, bio-photonics.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.

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Henrik Dams Allé
2800 Kgs. Lyngby