École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
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Postdoctoral Researcher in Urban Verticality and Geospatial Digital Observatory École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland
Degree Level
Postdoc
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Full-time postdoctoral position with salary based on SNSF and EPFL scales for postdoctoral researchers. Contract duration is 48 months. Fieldwork assignments in Kigali, Luanda and Dakar are included; no tuition information mentioned.
Country
Switzerland
University
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
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About this position
EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) is recruiting a Postdoctoral Researcher in Urban Verticality and Geospatial Digital Observatory within the CEAT research unit. This position is part of Vertical Africa (VERTICAF), an interdisciplinary project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).
The postdoctoral researcher will work on urban verticality, Earth Observation, environmental modelling, geospatial data science, and remote sensing, with a strong focus on measuring and modelling the environmental impacts of verticalisation in data-scarce African cities. The work is centred on Lausanne, Switzerland, with fieldwork in Kigali, Dakar, and Luanda.
Core research tasks include developing workflows using Sentinel-1/2, Landsat, MODIS, GHSL, Open Buildings 2.5D, OpenStreetMap and Copernicus data; deriving indicators such as building height and density, built volume, vegetation, imperviousness, albedo, Land Surface Temperature, and flood hazard; and building spatial, statistical, and predictive models for current and future urban scenarios. The role also includes scientific coordination of the Digital Observatory of Urban Verticalisation (DOUV), including automated data ingestion, reproducible geospatial pipelines, and interactive 2D/3D visualisation tools.
Applicants should have a PhD in geography, urban planning, spatial data science, geomatics, environmental sciences, or a related field, or be close to completion. Strong experience in remote sensing, GIS, spatial modelling, and programming in Python, R, or Google Earth Engine is expected. A publication record is required, and experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, urban heat/flood modelling, or web-based geospatial platforms is advantageous. The project requires excellent English and French, with Portuguese or Kinyarwanda as a plus.
Funding is provided according to SNSF and EPFL postdoctoral salary scales for a 48-month full-time appointment. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To apply, submit a cover letter, CV with publications, two relevant works, and two academic references via the online portal; email submissions are not accepted.
Funding details
Full-time postdoctoral position with salary based on SNSF and EPFL scales for postdoctoral researchers. Contract duration is 48 months. Fieldwork assignments in Kigali, Luanda and Dakar are included; no tuition information mentioned.
What's required
PhD in geography, urban planning, spatial data science, geomatics, environmental sciences or a related field, obtained or close to completion at appointment; solid experience in remote sensing and satellite image processing (Sentinel-2, MODIS, Landsat), GIS and spatial modelling; proven publication record in peer-reviewed journals; field experience in data-scarce contexts, with Sub-Saharan Africa experience an asset; proficiency in Python, R or Google Earth Engine; experience with QGIS, GRASS GIS, GDAL and spatial databases; knowledge of urban heat island analysis and/or flood risk modelling is a major asset; experience developing or coordinating a web-based geospatial platform is an asset; excellent English and French, with Portuguese or Kinyarwanda as an asset; ability to work interdisciplinarily and in international teams.
How to apply
Prepare a cover letter (max 2 pages) explaining your motivation and fit for WP1 and WP4, a detailed CV with publications, two relevant academic publications or works, and contact information for two academic references. Submit the application through the online application portal; email applications are not accepted. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
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Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.