Positions at KU Lewen!
Job Description
Join our team to help us take care of our Earth, by making the best use of land surface modeling, remote sensing and data assimilation. We are seeking enthusiastic candidates for 3 PhD and postdoctoral research positions.
We offer a unique possibility to new researchers to choose a topic of interest within one of three projects. Details of each project are provided via the associated links below and candidates are asked to specify their main interest upon application:
1. Monitoring and predicting fires over peatlands, using improved land surface modeling and satellite data assimilation. (PhD)
PEATBURN, https://ees.kuleuven.be/projects/index.html?db=EES&project_id=841
2. Improving agricultural biomass estimation, via crop modeling and satellite-based data assimilation. (Postdoc or PhD)
SHUI, https://ees.kuleuven.be/projects/index.html?project_id=604
3. Developing a global consistent record of soil moisture and vegetation via microwave-based satellite data assimilation for climate applications. (PhD or postdoc)
CONSOLIDATION, https://ees.kuleuven.be/projects/index.html?db=EES&project_id=846
PhD positions are fully funded for 4 years, whereas postdoctoral positions are funded for 2 years.
You will fit our team if you are an experienced researcher with a keen interest in remote sensing and land surface processes and eager to work in an international setting. You will be part of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the KU Leuven under the supervision of prof. dr. ir. Gabrielle De Lannoy, dr. Michel Bechtold, dr. Alexander Gruber, and collaborators in multiple highly ranked research institutes.
Our division: http://ees.kuleuven.be/bwb/index.html
Responsibilities
– Land surface modeling, remote sensing data analysis, statistical analysis, data assimilation, in situ data analysis over large domains
– Disseminating results via peer-review publications and attendance of international conferences
– Collaborating with other postdoctoral researchers and PhD students, and international partners
– Contributions to academic teaching
Required Skills
Only applicants with all of the following skills will be considered.
For PhD students:
– Msc in Bio-Science Engineering, Civil or Environmental Engineering, Meteorology, Hydrology, Remotely Sensed Earth Observation, Physics, Mathematics, Geography or equivalent
– Msc students who will graduate beginning of July 2020 can apply
– Good experience with data-processing applications such as Matlab/Python, IDL, GrADS, R, or other.
– Interest in programming and scientific computing on Linux systems
– Interest in land surface remote sensing, hydrological or land surface modeling
– Interest in data assimilation
– Excellent motivation and grades
– Creative, critical, analytical and innovative mindset
– Ability to work independently
– Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
For postdoctoral researchers:
– PhD degree in in Bio-Science Engineering, Civil or Environmental Engineering, Meteorology, Hydrology, Remotely Sensed Earth Observation, Physics, Mathematics, Geography or equivalent
– Proven research experience in scientific publications
– Strong experience with data-processing applications such as Matlab/Python, IDL, GrADS, R, or other.
– Experience with programming and scientific computing on Linux systems
– Experience with land surface remote sensing, hydrological or land surface modeling
– Interest in data assimilation
– Excellent motivation
– Creative, critical, analytical and innovative mindset
– Ability to work independently
– Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
– Willingness to work with PhD students and help with educational tasks
We Offer
– Fully funded position for 4 (PhD) or 2 (postdoc) years, conditional on good performance
– Multi-disciplinary and international professional environment
– Leuven, a charming historical university town, with a central location in Western Europe
More information about working conditions, salary and benefits can be found here:
https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/en/phd/phd-information
More Information
Only persons strictly matching the above profile should apply. Please submit your resume, along with a motivation letter with an indication of your main research interest, and two names for references on-line. PhD students are also requested to submit their grades. Msc students who are graduating this year, are welcome to apply and can provide grades of the past year. (https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/jobs/55540142)
The starting date can be immediate after selection, or can be negotiated. For more information, please contact prof. dr. ir. Gabrielle De Lannoy, tel.: +32 16 37 67 13, e-mail: gabrielle[dot]delannoy[at]kuleuven[dot]be. With specific questions for PEATBURN, please contact dr. Michel Bechtold, tel. +32 16 32 01 67, e-mail michel[dot]bechtold[at]kuleuven[dot]be.
The selection process will start on March 15th, 2020. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified.
