École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
6 days ago
Postdoctoral Researcher in Urban Verticality, Earth Observation, and Geospatial Digital Observatory École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland
Degree Level
Postdoc
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Salary based on SNSF and EPFL scales for postdoctoral researchers. Full-time 48-month contract at EPFL with fieldwork assignments in Kigali, Luanda and Dakar; access to EPFL computing infrastructure and project resources.
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 for the project Vertical Africa (VERTICAF), an interdisciplinary SNSF-funded initiative on urban verticality, Earth Observation, environmental modelling, geospatial data science, and the development of a digital observatory of urban verticalisation.
The position is based at EPFL Lausanne, Switzerland, within the Communauté d’études pour l’aménagement du territoire (CEAT), with fieldwork in Kigali, Dakar, and Luanda. The postdoctoral researcher will contribute mainly to WP1 (environmental indicators and remote sensing) and WP4 (coordination of the digital observatory of urban verticalisation, DOUV).
Research topics include remote sensing, GIS, 3D urban morphology, urban heat, flood risk, land-surface change, machine learning, and reproducible geospatial workflows using datasets such as Sentinel-1/2, Landsat, MODIS, GHSL, Open Buildings, OpenStreetMap, and Copernicus products. The project combines urban studies, environmental science, architecture, political science, and participatory approaches to understand the environmental, social, and political implications of vertical urban development in African cities.
Applicants should hold a PhD in geography, urban planning, spatial data science, geomatics, environmental sciences, or a related field, or be close to completion. Strong experience in satellite image processing, spatial modelling, programming (Python, R, or Google Earth Engine), and open-source geospatial tools is expected. A publication record is required. Experience in data-scarce contexts is important; Sub-Saharan Africa experience is an asset. English and French are required.
The contract is 48 months at 100%. Salary follows SNSF and EPFL postdoctoral scales. The role includes scientific coordination, publication targets, conference presentations, and supervision support for a PhD student. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
To apply, submit a cover letter, CV with publication list, two relevant academic works, and contact details for two academic references via the online application portal. Email applications are not accepted.
Funding details
Salary based on SNSF and EPFL scales for postdoctoral researchers. Full-time 48-month contract at EPFL with fieldwork assignments in Kigali, Luanda and Dakar; access to EPFL computing infrastructure and project resources.
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. Strong experience in remote sensing and satellite image processing (Sentinel-2, MODIS, Landsat), GIS and spatial modelling is required, along with a proven publication record in peer-reviewed journals. Field experience in data-scarce contexts is required; experience in Sub-Saharan Africa is an asset. Proficiency in Python, R or Google Earth Engine is expected, plus experience with QGIS, GRASS GIS, GDAL and spatial databases. Knowledge of urban heat island analysis and/or flood risk modelling is a major asset. Excellent English and French are required; Portuguese or Kinyarwanda is an asset. Ability to work interdisciplinarily and communicate well is expected.
How to apply
Prepare a cover letter, CV with publications, two relevant academic publications or works, and contact details for two academic references. Submit the application through the online portal; email applications will not be considered. Questions may be sent to [email protected].
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