The posting
The Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) seeks excellent candidates with a strong research profile in one or more disciplines related to igneous and sedimentary rock geology, geologically applied geophysics and geochemistry, ore geology, remote sensing, tectonics and structural evolution to fill a new full professor position. The professorship focuses on Greenland and the surrounding Arctic.
You are expected to contribute to GEUS’ overall strategy by strengthening and further developing our knowledge of the geological evolution of Greenland from a combined field geology, laboratory analysis and modelling approach. An important element is advancing the understanding of the various geological settings in Greenland with a broad scientific focus spanning from paleogeography, sedimentary basins, mountain belts and rift zones to tectonic features and associated mineral systems.
Furthermore, you are expected to promote our ideas, expertise and concepts to the surrounding societies, to deliver research output at a high international level, and to successfully obtain funding for and lead larger research projects. Moreover, the position aims to strengthen and profile our research, public sector consultancy and advisory activities.
The position is in the Department for Mapping and Mineral Resources, which is located at GEUS’ main office in Copenhagen.
About the position The candidate is expected to establish and further develop a strong and coherent research group in the Department for Mapping and Mineral Resources, which will closely cooperate with the other departments in GEUS as well as with Danish universities and relevant international research institutions. Many of GEUS’ activities in this research field are focused on the geology of Greenland and the surrounding Arctic, and fieldwork in Greenland will be a key activity. Moreover, development and application of new, innovative methods for efficient data analysis are expected to continuously contribute to the advancement of the research field, and the professor is expected to play a central role in this context.
Candidates for professorships at GEUS must have a strong research profile in the field and have a strong publication track record in international research journals with high impact in the research field. Moreover, candidates are expected to have played and have the ambition to play a key role in advancing the research field, for example by taking part in the organisation of international conferences and by editing relevant journals and/or book series.
Research activities are to a large extent dependent on external funding. GEUS has a strong tradition for attracting research funding from e.g. Danish research councils, the European Commission, private foundations and authorities. GEUS also leads and acts as a partner in internationally funded research projects such as EU Horizon projects. Professors at GEUS should have a strong track record of research funding and play a leading role in research funding applications and project management.
Professors at GEUS are expected to set the direction for GEUS’ research within their field of expertise and related fields to develop and advance research and make new ideas thrive in an open and welcoming research environment. Furthermore, professors at GEUS play an active role in career planning for early-career scientific staff and take responsibility for the supervision of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. They are also expected to have a collaborative spirit and actively engage with other professors, project managers and staff to contribute to a dynamic research environment. Moreover, professors may become members of GEUS’ research committee and act as sparring partners for management decisions on strategic planning and hiring plans for scientific staff.
GEUS is an independent research institution under the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities. GEUS provides research-based public sector consultancy for Danish governmental institutions and research-based advice to private companies. Professors are expected to take part in such public sector consultancy and act as sparring partners for colleagues and management in such matters.
Who are you? We seek candidates with an excellent international profile. Consideration will be given to your international network, your ability to engage and motivate staff, as well as your openness, drive and interpersonal skills.
You have a research profile in the field, and you have visions and ideas for developing the research field. You are experienced in creating and establishing research projects with different partners, obtaining external funding, and in leading and managing large research projects.
Experience with supervising MSc and PhD students as well as early-career researchers is a prerequisite.
We also expect you to have experience with public sector consultancy, advisory activities (or similar), and fieldwork. Especially, experience with fieldwork in Greenland and/or another Arctic/Antarctic environment is considered advantageous.
The Department for Mapping and Mineral Resources In the Department for Mapping and Mineral Resources, we conduct research on rocks, their mineralogy and chemical composition, and their genesis and evolution. We use this insight to provide the geological background for investment opportunities in exploration for mineral resources and data for responsible natural resource management. For this work, we have considerable in-house analytical facilities, including instruments for analysis of major and trace elements, isotopic composition and analytical microscopy.
One of the department’s important tasks is the continuous geological mapping of Greenland. In addition to the above-mentioned tools, we acquire and analyse high-resolution stereographic images of mountain walls in our photo laboratory, which provides our geologists with a powerful tool for the development of 3D geological mapping on metres to tens of kilometres scales. Finally, the department hosts D-MIC (Danish Mineral Intelligence Centre), which analyses raw materials’ value chains, thereby linking geological knowledge to society’s need for mineral raw materials.
A working environment with a focus on professional development and well-being
There are many good reasons why you should choose a working life at GEUS.
We are a diverse staff of about 300 committed employees. Trust and flexibility are keywords. The working environment is lively, informal and international. Our tasks are versatile and there are plenty of opportunities for you to influence the development of your task portfolio.
We prioritise professional development, among other things by offering access to courses and other relevant activities. Socialising is also very important at GEUS, and we have a rich social life with a staff club, an art association and more.
At GEUS, we prioritise the well-being of every single employee. We prioritise that the Heads of Departments are close to the employees, and we have flexible working hours that allow you to organise your life so that there is time for what matters to you. If you need to work from home occasionally, that is also possible.
Furthermore, we have a gym with associated physiotherapists.
Salary and conditions of employment The position as Professor is permanent. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the relevant trade union agreement. Supplements can be negotiated according to skills.
The appointment area is the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities and its institutions.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities considers diversity to be an asset and encourages anyone regardless of gender, age, religion or ethnicity to seek the position.
Additional information If you would like additional information, please contact the Head of Department, Mikael Pedersen on telephone +45 22 21 65 75, e-mail [email protected], or Managing Director, Lars Nielsen, on telephone +45 91 33 38 70, e-mail [email protected].
If you are an international applicant, you can read more about living and working in Denmark on GEUS’ website.
Are you interested? Please write the application in English and include a letter of motivation, your PhD diploma and CV incl. your ORCID, as well as a complete list of publications with 1) a separate indication of peer-reviewed journal articles and 2) an indication of publications where you have been either the lead or senior author.
Please include in the application the relevant academic works that you wish to be included in the professor assessment (max. 10). Please enclose other material that documents your research and teaching qualifications.
You are requested to include a 2-3-page account that refers to your most important academic work with relevance to the position. Finally, you are encouraged to write a one-page explanation of your plans for the development of the field. In addition to the material that you would like to be included in the assessment, the assessment committee may choose to include further material in their assessment. It is your responsibility to send the material to the committee upon request.
It is mandatory to include your updated ResearcherID and/or ORCID, which will be used to assess your publication record in Web of Science. Any recently accepted or submitted publications may be added separately to the list of publications.
We must have your application at the latest on Monday 9 November 2026 (Danish time).
Applications or other material received after the deadline will not be considered.
The appointment procedure A professional assessment committee consisting of one internal and two to four external assessors at minimum professor level will carry out an individual assessment of all applicants’ professional qualifications, and the applicants will be assessed as qualified or unqualified for the position. Afterwards, an internal employment committee will decide which of the professionally qualified candidates will be invited for a job interview. This procedure is in accordance with the “Order on employment and assessment of scientific staff at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland § 4 and 7”.
