PhD Candidate New thermal-infrared satellite missions for water, food, and climate

Job description

We seek a PhD candidate who is interested in conducting field measurements and data analysis to investigate the added value of new thermal-infrared satellite missions for water, food, and climate. You will join a team of scientists working on similar challenges from different perspectives with partners worldwide.

Satellites are increasingly used to monitor events and processes on Earth. Thermal-infrared (TIR) remote sensing with satellites can be used to detect fires, evaporative cooling by plants, urban heat islands, and changes in sea surface temperature. Several space agencies are planning the launch of new satellites in the thermal domain in the coming years. This will enable a more detailed monitoring of the cycles of water and carbon dioxide and the anthropogenic influence on them.

The objective of this research is to advance the understanding of signals of existing and upcoming thermal satellite missions such as TRISHNA (launch 2025) and LSTM (launch 2029), and to find out what they can tell us about water and carbon on Earth. The research includes field experiments with an infrared spectrometer and thermal imaging, for model improvement, calibration and validation. You will integrate data from several resolutions: ground, drone, airborne, and satellite. But you do not need to start from scratch: the Water Resources Department has a long history in this field, and in-house developed models are available.

You will collaborate with scientists in complementary disciplines, and with colleagues who contribute to institutional strengthening in Africa, Asia and South America in this field. You communicate the results to society through publications and other channels. The discoveries you make could lead to new methods and data based on remote sensing.

Your profile

• An MSc degree in Earth science, applied physics, agricultural engineering, or another related field
• Analytical skills
• Affinity with fieldwork
• Programming skills, for example, Python
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Good communication skills
• Excellent command of spoken and written English, and basic understanding of Dutch or the motivation to learn Dutch

Our offer

• An inspiring multidisciplinary, international and academic environment. The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues in which internationalization is an important part of the strategic agenda
• Full-time position for 4 years
• A professional and personal development programme within Twente Graduate School
• Gross monthly salary of € 2,770.- in the first year that increases to € 3,539.- in the fourth year
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%
• Excellent support for research and facilities for professional and personal development
• A solid pension scheme
• A total of 41 holiday days per year in case of full-time employment
• Excellent working conditions, an exciting scientific environment, and a green and lively campus.

Information and application

For more information about the position, you can contact Dr Egor Prikaziuk (email: e.prikaziuk@utwente.nl).  You are also invited to visit our homepage.

Please submit your application before 2 June 2024. Your application should include:

• A motivation letter (maximum 2 pages of A4), emphasizing your specific interest, qualifications and motivation to apply for this position.
• Curriculum Vitae (including a list of grades of your BSc and MSc education)
• A short description (150 – 250 words) of your MSc research

Online job interviews will take place between 24 June and 4 July.

About the department

Our mission is to build communities of water professionals, scientists and engineers with skills to contribute to a sustainable and resilient living environment using Earth Observations and Modelling of Water and Climate.  

The world desperately needs people with these skills. Water-related challenges are everywhere. Some are caused by climate change, others by urbanization, infrastructure, land cover change, mining, discharge of polluted effluents, and sea level rise. They affect food security, biodiversity and health. Good water management starts with insight into the problem and access to accurate, (near-)real-time information. This requires a scientific data infrastructure and research capacity. We engage with social actors including policymakers, entrepreneurs and citizens to co-create sustainable and innovative solutions for the monitoring and management of freshwater and marine resources using Earth Observation. We focus on physical, chemical and biological processes on land and in aquatic systems, river basins, soils and plants. To study these, we develop, use and teach quantitative use of Earth observation and physically based models, and unravel linkages between water and food, energy, health and ecosystem security and sustainability.

About the organisation

The Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) provides international postgraduate education, research and project services in the field of geo-information science and earth observation. Our mission is capacity development, where we apply, share and facilitate the effective use of geo-information and earth observation knowledge and tools for tackling global wicked problems. Our purpose is to enable our many partners around the world to track and trace the impact – and the shifting causes and frontiers – of today’s global challenges. Our vision is of a world in which researchers, educators, and students collaborate across disciplinary and geographic divides with governmental and non-governmental organisations, institutes, businesses, and local populations to surmount today’s complex global challenges and to contribute to sustainable, fair, and digital societies.