Postdoc in holistic modelling of water quality in urban water systems - DTU Sustain

We are going to change the way we monitor water quality in urban areas. Do you want to join us? 

At DTU Sustain we are going to coordinate the new HORIZON project URBAN M2O (Effective Monitoring and Modelling solution for data-driven hOlistic management of urban water quality).

At DTU Sustain you will contribute to creating digital solutions that will give urban water managers access to all the information necessary to develop and implement integrated urban water quality monitoring and management plans independently of geography and sources of water pollution.

You will be at the core of a European network of universities, research centers, and innovative companies, and you will be in contact with all the most relevant stakeholders in the water sector. 

Responsibilities and qualifications
While contributing to the DTU activities in the Urban M2O project, your task will be to:

• Develop digital twins of urban water systems, including simplifying detailed hydrodynamic models for pollutant flux modelling in collaboration with local water utilities and software developers
• Integrate digital urban water twins with data, applying methodologies for data assimilation, parameter estimation, and quantification of model uncertainty
• Contribute to the coordination activities in the Urban M2O project, i.e. interacting with project partners, collecting relevant information and preparing reporting material to the EU commission, organizing project meetings and activities
• Support monitoring activities in the Copenhagen Case Study by participating in fieldwork, collection of water samples, installation and maintenance of low-cost sensors (in collaboration with sensor developers, local water utilities and authorities)
• Interact with stakeholders and end-users in co-creation workshops aiming to identify their monitoring and modelling needs.
• Participate in the Urban M2O dissemination activities and contribute to the preparation of the project scientific reports

You are expected to have, or to rapidly develop, good programming skills, supported by a good understanding of urban water systems, water quality, environmental chemistry and statistics. 

You should have experience in the development and application of water quality models, with focus on conceptual models (WEST, SIMBA, CityDrain, etc). or detailed hydrodynamic models (SWMM, MIKE, Inforworks). Experience in the management of big datasets and the use of GIS tools is recommended. You should not fear fieldwork activities, and you should be able to solve the many problems that typically occur when performing monitoring activities.

Interpersonal skills are needed when effectively collaborating with over 20 partners across Europe and interacting with multiple stakeholders across the Danish and European water sectors. We seek applicants who have demonstrated their ability to work both independently and in teams and who have successfully navigated the challenges posed by working across different cultures and working environments.

Your working language will be English, but knowledge of the Danish language will facilitate the interaction with the stakeholders.

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent) preferably in Environmental Engineering.

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 terms of employment 
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. Starting date will be after 1 March 2026, to be defined upon mutual agreement. 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 Associate Professor Luca Vezzaro.

You can read more about DTU Sustain at https://sustain.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.

Application procedure 
Your complete online application