The Division for Sustainability, Society & Economics at DTU Management offers a PhD scholarship in the Climate Economics and Risk Management section. We are looking for an excellent and highly motivated PhD candidate with an interest in doing cutting-edge economic research on climate hazards, damage modelling, uncertainties, and risk preferences in the context of identifying adaptation strategies.
As highlighted by the IPCC, there is an urgent need for research on how society and human beings effectively can respond to the consequences of climate change. This particularly pertains to the impacts of extremes such as storms, storm surges, riverine floods, cloudbursts, hot spells, droughts, and wildfires. There is currently a strong need for research on the economic aspects of climate change adaptation, including costs and benefits of reduced climate hazard risks based on detailed local data.
This PhD scholarship aims to establish detailed quantitative data on the damage costs of climate extremes, the associated benefits of investing in climate change adaptation, and to analyze the data to fill the abovementioned knowledge gaps.
The PhD scholarship is linked to several international research projects funded by the European Commission’s Horizon Framework and will be conducted in an interdisciplinary environment with a strong capacity within climate change economics, hydro-climatology, and in close partnership with Danish and international leading partners within the research area. You will join an extended interdisciplinary team of national and international colleagues accordingly, spanning the full “knowledge chain” from climate hazards through impact and risk assessment to economics and adaptation, where a major activity will be to further develop data and models for assessing the multi-risks and consequences of extreme events on relevant spatial and temporal scales.
Responsibilities and qualifications
The PhD scholarship involves development of a damage cost model with estimates of the consequences of climate hazards related to flood events, and to enhanced disaster resilience, disaster risk management and climate change adaptation. The consequences include impacts on several sectors such as buildings, industry, health, tourism, ecosystems, biodiversity, tourism, and cultural values.
The main responsibilities will entail extensive analyses of climate and socio-economic data using advanced statistical methods, GIS, and data mining. It is also the aim to develop new data based on surveys revealing risk perceptions and response capacities, in order to represent adaptation responses and costs in the climate hazard damage models.
The ideal candidate should have:
- A two-year master's degree in economics (120 ECTS) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree
- Good programming capabilities in scientific languages like Python, GIS, R, or Matlab
- Excellent communication skills, both in writing and oral presentation
- A willingness and desire to ambitiously engage in interdisciplinary collaboration and work in multinational teams
- Experience with scientific writing and project coordination is an advantage
Documented experience with the abovementioned topics is not required but is an advantage.
Approval and enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. 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.
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 three years. The successful candidate(s) are expected to start in the first part of 2023 (or as soon as possible thereafter). The position is a full-time position.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here.
Further information
Further information about these positions may be obtained from Professor Kirsten Halsnæs (khal@dtu.dk), and Head of Section Professor Ugur Soytas (uguso@dtu.dk).
You can read more about the research carried out in the Section for Climate Economics and Risk Management at here.
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 1 December 2022 (Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:
- A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
- Curriculum vitae (and list of publications if applicable)
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
- Names and contact information on three personal references.
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. Short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.
Apply for this job
Apply no later than 1 December 2022
Apply for the job at DTU Management by completing the following form.
Who are we?
DTU Management conducts excellent research in the intersection between management, technology and economics. We develop solutions in close cooperation with companies and public authorities. Our research aims at strengthening welfare, productivity and sustainability within the society. A key element is the role of technology and its interaction with industry and individuals. The department offers a wide range of courses and programs at bachelor, master and Ph.D. level across DTU’s study programs. The department has around 200 employees with around half coming from abroad.
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 13,400 students and 5,800 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.