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Doctoral Researcher in Spaceborne GNSS Reflectometry for Sea Ice, Soil Moisture and Wildfire Risk University of Luxembourg in Luxembourg
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Fixed-term, full-time doctoral researcher contract for 36 months at 40 hours per week. The yearly gross salary is EUR 44,531. The position is funded through the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions GLITTER Doctoral Network, Grant Agreement No. 101120117.
Country
Luxembourg
University
University of Luxembourg
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About this position
The University of Luxembourg is seeking a doctoral researcher to join the GLITTER Doctoral Network and the Luxembourg Centre for Socio-Environmental Systems (LCSES) at Belval Campus. The project is hosted within the Water Availability, Variability & Scarcity (WAVES) research group, which combines Earth observation with modeling to understand water availability and scarcity across regions and seasons.
The doctoral project focuses on spaceborne Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry (GNSS-R). GNSS signals reflected from oceans, ice and land can provide a global source of information about the Earth’s surface. Using new dual-frequency, dual-polarization GNSS-R observations from space, the researcher will investigate high-precision sea ice height measurement and retrieval of soil moisture linked to drought and wildfire risk.
Research activities may include using dual-frequency carrier phase to measure sea ice height and classify ice types, developing methods for phase unwrapping and cycle-slip detection, and combining scattering models with co-polarized and cross-polarized observations to retrieve environmental climate variables such as soil moisture. Deep learning will be integrated into the retrieval chain, from raw GNSS-R observations to geophysical products.
The researcher will shape individual research questions, potentially exploring GNSS-R mapping of inland water bodies, the influence of vegetation and surface roughness on soil-moisture retrieval, estimates of fuel moisture and wildfire danger, and the use of physics-informed machine learning for geophysical retrievals.
At LCSES and WAVES, the researcher will work in an international and interdisciplinary environment focused on sustainable and equitable environmental solutions. The University of Luxembourg offers a multilingual research setting, strong links with European institutions and industry, and access to high-quality research infrastructure.
Funding details
Fixed-term, full-time doctoral researcher contract for 36 months at 40 hours per week. The yearly gross salary is EUR 44,531. The position is funded through the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions GLITTER Doctoral Network, Grant Agreement No. 101120117.
What's required
Applicants must hold a master's degree or equivalent in geodesy, geophysics, remote sensing, physics, applied mathematics, environmental science, computer science, or a related field. Candidates should have a solid understanding of remote sensing, ideally radar or microwave techniques; experience with GNSS or Earth observation data is advantageous. Good programming skills in Python, MATLAB or C++ and an interest in machine learning and applications such as the cryosphere, hydrology or wildfire are expected. Applicants must be able to work independently and in an international, interdisciplinary team. Excellent English is required. Candidates of all nationalities are eligible, but must not hold a doctoral degree at recruitment and must not have lived or carried out their main activity in Luxembourg for more than 12 months during the three years before recruitment. Applicants must also demonstrate at least B2-level proficiency in the language of their thesis.
How to apply
Submit the application online through the University of Luxembourg HR system. Include a CV, motivation cover letter, complete university transcript, contact details and current positions of one or two referees, and a one-page proposal for a related PhD topic. Early application is encouraged; email applications will not be considered.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.