Global Water Resources Monitoring using Novel Remote Sensing and Land Modeling KU Leuven in Belgium

This joint PhD opportunity at KU Leuven (Belgium) and the University of Melbourne (Australia) focuses on global water resources monitoring using advanced remote sensing and land modeling techniques. The research aims to study total terrestrial water storage and its temporal changes, particularly those influenced by human water management. The project leverages satellite data from gravimetry missions, including GRACE and GRACE-FO, and integrates these with process-based land surface modeling. A key challenge is to distinguish between changes in groundwater, soil moisture, surface water, and snow within GRACE observations, utilizing advanced data assimilation methods.

PhD candidates will be part of the KU Leuven Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Division Soil and Water Management, within the Research Group “Land Surface Remote Sensing, Modeling and Data Assimilation” led by Professor Gabriëlle De Lannoy. Collaboration with the University of Melbourne Department of Infrastructure Engineering (Professor Dongryeol Ryu) is integral, offering a multidisciplinary and international research environment. The KU Leuven team is renowned for its expertise in data assimilation and contributes to the NASA Land Information System (LIS), which will be central to this project. The Melbourne team specializes in GRACE satellite data analysis.

Both PhD students will spend time in Belgium and Australia, with one primarily based at KU Leuven and at least one year at UMelbourne, and vice versa. The position advertised here is for the student whose main home institution will be KU Leuven, focusing on GRACE data assimilation. However, applicants may apply for either position through either application system, provided they indicate their host institution preference in their motivation letter.

Responsibilities include conducting high-quality research in land surface modeling and GRACE satellite data assimilation, publishing a PhD thesis and peer-reviewed articles, developing methods for effective GRACE data assimilation, creating open source code, supervising master thesis students, and completing doctoral school training requirements. Candidates must have an MSc degree in a relevant field (Bioscience Engineering, Civil or Environmental Engineering, Hydrology, Meteorology, Remotely Sensed Earth Observation, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Sciences, or equivalent), above-average grades, experience with programming (Matlab, Python, IDL, GrADS, R, etc.), and a strong motivation for soil-plant processes, remote sensing, and modeling. Excellent English communication skills and willingness to spend at least one year abroad are required.

The position offers a fully funded PhD scholarship for four years, competitive salary, support and training through the Arenberg Doctoral School and Melbourne graduate school, and career development support. The start date is negotiable but must be no later than 1 January 2027. KU Leuven provides an inclusive, respectful, and socially safe environment, embracing diversity and equal opportunity.

To apply, submit your resume, motivation letter, and two references via the KU Leuven online application tool. Clearly indicate your host institution preference, willingness to study abroad, and provide your grades. For further information, contact Professor Gabriëlle De Lannoy at [email protected].