Vacant job

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked among the world's leading universities. There are about 47,000 students and more than 8,800 employees in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain, and improve our world and the conditions of people.

Lund University welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Gender equality, equal opportunities, and diversity are fundamental principles for all parts of our operations.

Research and education at the Department of Environmental and Geological Sciences (MGeo) address fundamental and applied questions about the Earth's past, present, and future climate and environment, including human interaction with nature and consequences for human well-being. MGeo develops and applies groundbreaking methods, models, and techniques in environmental science, Quaternary and bedrock geology, paleontology, physical geography, biodiversity and ecosystem science, remote sensing, geographic information science (GIS), and computational science in environmental and health studies to investigate processes ranging from the microscopic to the planetary, across all timescales.

Subject Description

The position is for a postdoctoral researcher for two years to work within the project Near-real-time monitoring of crop growth and yield, funded by the Swedish National Space Agency.

Job Responsibilities

The main responsibilities of the postdoctoral researcher include conducting research. Teaching may be included in the responsibilities, but no more than one-fifth of the working time. Within the framework of the employment, there will be an opportunity for three weeks of higher education pedagogical training.

Detailed description of the job responsibilities:

• Conduct field measurements in agricultural fields as input for remote sensing modeling.
• Develop methods to estimate soil parameters (clay content, organic material, and moisture) from optical and radar data, e.g., based on machine learning.
• Develop near-real-time methodology to estimate crop growth. This includes testing methodology to extract smooth seasonal curves and estimates of uncertainty.
• Integrate remote sensing data with crop growth models through data assimilation.
• Develop practically useful methodology for monitoring agricultural crops based on data from various sources, including satellite sensors.
• Communicate project results at an appropriate level for researchers and the public.

The work will be carried out within a group of remote sensing and modeling experts at the Department of Environmental and Geological Sciences (MGeo), Lund University.

Eligibility

To be eligible for employment as a postdoctoral researcher, one must have obtained a doctoral degree, or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree, in the relevant field of employment, and obtained no more than three years prior to the application deadline. If there are special reasons, the doctoral degree may have been obtained earlier.

Other Requirements:

• Basic university education in a technical or natural science subject with a strong emphasis on geomatics (GIS, remote sensing, programming).
• PhD with a strong emphasis on remote sensing.
• Very good knowledge of English, both spoken and written.

Assessment Criteria

This is a merit-based position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in the career, and the assessment of applicants will primarily be based on their scientific merits and potential as researchers.

Particular emphasis will be placed on scientific ability within the subject area.

When hiring a postdoctoral researcher, the following knowledge will form the basis for assessment:

• Quantitative remote sensing, focused on both optical and radar data.
• Plant science/ecology primarily focused on agriculture.
• Computer programming.
• Data analysis (machine learning, statistics, numerical analysis, time series analysis, etc.).
• Crop modeling.
• Quantitative methods in remote sensing of vegetation, e.g., radiation models.

Other Merits:

• Experience in field data collection.
• Published in international journals.
• Other documented communication skills.
• Driving license B.

We are looking for a meticulous and well-organized person with a strong interest in research. Consideration will also be given to good collaboration skills, drive, and independence, as well as how the applicant, through their experience and competence, is assessed to complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department and contribute to its future development.

Conditions

The employment is limited to 2 years with the possibility of extension for 1 year and is full-time.

The employment is limited according to the agreement, “Agreement on fixed-term employment as a postdoctoral researcher,” between the labor market parties dated 2022-02-01 (The Swedish Agency for Government Employers, OFR, Saco-S, and SEKO).

Application Instructions

The application should be written in English and include:

• Curriculum vitae including a publication list.
• Description of previous research work and competence (max 3 pages). Please specify competence in relation to all the above-listed points under assessment criteria.
• Contact information for at least two references.
• Copy of the doctoral degree certificate and any other certificates/degrees the applicant wishes to invoke.

Welcome to apply!

At the Faculty of Science, research and education are conducted in biology, astronomy, physics, geosciences, chemistry, mathematics, and environmental science. The activities are conducted within the northern university area. The faculty has about 1,900 students, 330 doctoral students, and 730 employees.

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