Postdoc in radar remote sensing

Information about the department and the division
The Department of Space, Earth and Environment contains five divisions, with research and education spanning from global challenges related to sustainability and energy supply to astronomy and space sciences. The department is host to two major infrastructures, Onsala Space Observatory and Chalmers Power Central, and consists of about 250 employees.

The Division of Microwave and Optical Remote Sensing is involved in research based on measurement infrastructures which acquire remote sensing data (ground-based, aircraft and satellite). The goal of the division is to perform environmental-related research using microwave and optical remote sensing. The research is conducted by combining measurement data and mathematical models to estimate relevant variables. The research area is international and spans a variety of disciplines and applications.

Postdoctoral researcher in radar remote sensing of sea ice dynamics
The drift of sea ice influences the distribution of heat and salinity in ice-covered ocean regions and is important for modelling and monitoring of the polar regions. Information about drift and deformation of sea ice is also important for ship navigation as well as coastal and offshore activities. Satellite radar is used for observations of sea ice and algorithms for determination of drift and deformation are being developed. These algorithms will be further developed, tested and applied.

A major part of the research is funded by the European Space Agency and will be conducted in the project “Synergistic Use of L- and C-band SAR Satellites for Sea Ice Monitoring”. One goal of this project is to use information about sea ice drift and deformation to align images from different satellites, which in turn will allow comparison of sensor capabilities and assessment of enhanced sea ice classification and monitoring.

Tasks of the project include:
- Improvement, implementation and testing of algorithms for observation of sea ice drift and deformation with synthetic aperture radar (SAR).
- Definition, implementation and validation of strategies for alignment of SAR images from different satellites to one another
-Investigation of the effect of the time difference between SAR data acquisitions on the alignment process for different sea ice regions / ice conditions.
- Assessment of the usefulness of sea ice drift and deformation for selected applications

Position summary: The position is a one-year full-time temporary employment. The possibility to extend the position to two years depends on available funding.

Major responsibilities
Your main responsibility as post-doctoral researcher will be to perform your own research within the aims and tasks mentioned in the project information above.

The responsibilities include documentation or your work and dissemination of results in scientific papers and project reports. Project results should be presented at project meetings and external conferences.

Up to 20% of teaching responsibilities on undergraduate or master's levels or supervising master's and/or PhD students may be included in the position.

Qualifications
You must have a PhD degree, i.e. at the time when the employment starts, in radar remote sensing, electrical engineering, physics, physical oceanography or related disciplines and you must have a solid background in mathematics, physics and programming. Furthermore you must have working experience of processing and analysis of synthetic aperture radar data and of work with sea ice data or sea ice models.

The position requires verbal and writing skills in English. Teaching experience from Bachelor- or Master-level courses in electrical engineering or physics is a merit, as well as verbal and writing skills in Swedish. A genuine interest and curiosity in the research field is needed for the position.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Our offer to you
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the dynamic city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20200338 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

CV: (Please name the document as: CV, Surname, Ref. number) including:
• CV, include complete list of publications
• Previous teaching and pedagogical experiences
• 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 research fields and main research results
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Attested copies of completed education, grades and other certificates.

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

Application deadline: 11 October, 2020

For questions, please contact:
Associate Professor Leif Eriksson, Microwave and Optical Remote Sensing, Department of Space, Earth and Environment
E-mail: leif.eriksson@chalmers.se
Phone: +46 31-77248 56

*** 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!