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Project Description

Doctoral Programme Subject: Geodesy and Geoinformatics

We are pleased to announce a new doctoral position within artificial intelligence for Earth Observation (EO). This research opportunity will focus on developing AI-driven Earth Observation methods for environmental information, with applications including the monitoring of illegal dumping, estimation of emissions from wildfires, and assessment of pollution.

Doctoral research will explore cutting-edge methods in artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze multimodal, multi-temporal, and multi-resolution satellite imagery and geospatial data. The project aims to develop innovative models capable of capturing complex spatiotemporal dynamics and supporting a broad spectrum of downstream environmental applications. Special emphasis will be placed on building robust and scalable AI solutions for environmental monitoring, situational awareness, and sustainable decision-making through EO big data analysis.

If you are passionate about advancing the field of Earth Observation with artificial intelligence and have a strong background in machine learning, computer vision, or remote sensing, we encourage you to apply and be part of this journey to shape the future of AI-driven Earth Observation for environmental intelligence.

Supervision: Yifang Ban is proposed to supervise the doctoral student. The final decision is made upon admission.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to doctoral studies (Chapter 7, Section 39 of the Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility:

• completed a degree at an advanced level, or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 higher education credits at an advanced level, or
• acquired in other ways, within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge.
• Master's degree in Geomatics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or other natural science and technical disciplines.
• Strong competence in image analysis, computer vision, pattern recognition, machine learning/deep learning, and a solid background in computer science.
• Previous experience with generative AI and/or geospatial foundation models is a valuable asset.
• Skills in high-level programming in well-used scientific programming languages, including Python, C++, and Matlab.
• Excellent ability to read and write scientific English, as well as fluent spoken English.

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6.

Selection

To succeed in your doctoral studies at KTH, you need to be goal-oriented and persistent in your work. In the selection of applicants, the ability to:

• independently drive their work forward,
• collaborate with others,
• have a professional attitude, and
• analyze and work with complex issues.

After meeting the eligibility requirements, great weight will be placed on personal qualities.

Degree: Licentiate Degree

Information on Admission and Employment

Only those admitted to doctoral studies may be employed as doctoral students. The total employment period may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education over four years. An employed doctoral student may, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within, for example, education and administration. A new employment as a doctoral student is valid for a maximum of one year; the employment may thereafter be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. In studies to be concluded with a licentiate degree, the total employment period may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education over two years.

As a doctoral student, you are entitled to KTH's employment benefits and have a monthly salary according to KTH's agreement for doctoral salaries. Read more about Doctoral Studies at KTH | KTH | Sweden.

Trade Union Representatives

Contact details for trade union representatives.

Doctoral Students' Section (Student Union of the Royal Institute of Technology)

Contact details for the Doctoral Students' Section.

Application

You apply via KTH's recruitment system. As an applicant, you are primarily responsible for ensuring your application is complete when submitted.

The application should contain the following:

• Copies of degree certificates and transcripts from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages. Copies of originals must be certified.
• CV with relevant professional experience and skills.
• Cover letter with a brief account of why you wish to pursue doctoral studies, your academic interests, and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Max 2 pages)
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please attach a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

The application must be received by KTH no later than the last day of application at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Other

For information on the processing of personal data in connection with recruitment.

An employment at KTH may be classified as security-sensitive. If this is the case for this specific position, a security clearance check of the applicant will be conducted in accordance with the Security Protection Act (2018:585) with consent. In these cases, a condition for employment is that the applicant passes the security clearance check.

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Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work and develop at KTH.