PhD student position in Radar remote sensing of forests

We are looking for a PhD student to use some of the world's most advanced radar technology to unveil the secrets of how forest trees interact with the atmosphere. This position is an opportunity to work at the crossroads of engineering, data science and biology using a unique radar facility at a world-leading experimental forest and spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. Time series analysis will be used to study the inner workings of how water behaves within trees and how we can observe these effects on a global scale using satellites.

Information about the research
Radar remote sensing of forests aims to measure forest variables such as tree height and biomass from spaceborne and airborne radar sensors. Recent observations have shown that radar observations are sensitive to variations in tree water content. This opens up the opportunity for sensing forest tree water variables, such as forest evapotranspiration, over global scales for improving our understanding of the role of forest in the Earth's climate system and for monitoring forest tree vitality.

As a PhD student you will be part of the division of Geoscience and Remote Sensing.

Major responsibilities
Major responsibilities include the analysis of radar data from satellite and tower platforms. Data from other sensors such as soil moisture sensors, sap flow sensors and an eddy-covariance flux tower will also be used to relate temporal changes in forest radar reflectivity to meteorological, soil moisture and tree water content variables. The work will involve both empirical analyses as well as model-based approaches using tree physiological models describing the interaction of tree water with environmental variables such as temperature and humidity via transpiration.

Qualifications
To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a Master's level degree in data science, engineering physics, electrical engineering, engineering mathematics or related disciplines, corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20220082 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

CV: (Please name the document: CV, Family name, Ref. number)
• CV
• Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous experience of relevance for the position (e.g. education, thesis work and, if applicable, any other research activities)
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, e.g. TOEFL test results.

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. The files may be compressed (zipped).

Application deadline: 15 March, 2022

For questions, please contact:
Professor Lars Ulander, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Department of Space, Earth
and Environment
E-mail: lars.ulander@chalmers.se
Phone: +46 31 7721843

Dr. Albert Monteith, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Department of Space, Earth
and Environment
E-mail: albert.monteith@chalmers.se
Phone: +46 31 7722235

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 
   



Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!