Department of Geography
PhD student position - Remote Sensing of vegetation dynamics in urbanenvironments 60 %
The Remote Sensing of Water Systems (RSWS) group is an international working group at the Remote Sensing Laboratories of the Department of Geography, University of Zurich. We are looking for a highly motivated, creative, solution-focused and independent person with a passion for remote sensing and vegetation research to join our team. The position is part of the research project “UrbaNature”, funded by MeteoSwiss in frame of the Swiss GAW and GCOS programs. Aim of the project is to gain knowledge on the role of vegetation in carbon, energy, and water cycles in the urban environment.
Your responsibilitiesThe successful candidate will develop approaches to assess dynamic vegetation processes from diverse airborne and satellite based remote sensing data. Specific tasks include the characterization of abiotic factors in urban environments, the quantification of vegetation state and dynamics, and the assessment of functional vegetation information.
Your profileThe ideal candidate must hold a MSc degree in remote sensing, earth systems science, environmental science, or a related field. Extensive experience in programming (i.e. Python) linked to organizing, exploiting and analyzing diverse remote sensing datasets with state-of-the art signal processing methods (e.g. radiative transfer modelling, statistical modelling) is essential. Excelling writing and communication skills in English are mandatory. The ability to work in an interdisciplinary team is expected.
What we offerWe offer outstanding working conditions, a high quality of life in Zurich, and an excellent support environment. UZH's Remote Sensing Laboratories are internationally renowned and have expertise in various remote sensing domains such as spectroscopy, radar and LiDAR and apply this technology in various application fields such as biodiversity, water systems or earth systems science.
Place of workThe successful applicant will be based in the Department of Geography in Zurich and will be supervised by Alexander Damm-Reiser. Within this project, four doctoral students will collaborate closely and will be co-supervised by leading scientist from the University of Basel, ETH Zurich, Empa, and University of Zurich.
Start of employmentDeadline for application submission is 10 January 2023. The preferred starting date is 1 March 2023. The position is funded for 4 years. Salaries correspond to the SNSF regulations for PhD students.