Post-doctoral fellow in Remote Sensing of crop growth - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description
The position is for a post-doctoral researcher for two years to work within the project Monitoring of Crop Growth for Prognostic Yield Assessment using Sentinel-2 MSI data, financed by the Swedish National Space Agency.

The project aim is to develop methods for utilization of optical sensor data from Copernicus Sentinel-2 MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) for prognostic assessment of crop conditions and agricultural yields. The outcomes of the project will contribute to near-operational capability to track seasonal variation in crop growth and enabling early warnings of drought and other disturbances, thereby forecasting crop yield variations. The project is based on spectral field data collection, time-series processing methodology, and process modeling, to generate: (1) improved knowledge about capabilities and limitations of Sentinel-2 MSI time-series data for agricultural monitoring; (2) methodology for deriving smooth vegetation index data from MSI in near-real time by use of e.g. Kalman filtering; (3) methodology for assimilation of seasonal data from MSI into a simple crop model based on biomass allocation; and (4) development of a scheme for integrating ecosystem modeling and remote sensing for crop yield estimation.

Work duties
The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position shall include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

Detailed description of the work duties:

• Establish spectral field measurements in crop fields to investigate sensitivity of Sentinel-2 time-series data to seasonal variations in crop growth
• Develop near-real time methodology for crop growth estimation. This includes testing methodology to derive smooth seasonal trajectories and estimates of uncertainty
• Couple remote sensing data to a deterministic crop allocation model. The model is driven by meteorological data but will be updated with remote sensing information to adjust the expected outcome to observed vegetation states
• Carry out integrated analysis of crop yield estimation for precision agriculture based on remote sensing, agricultural management information, crop modeling and environmental data

The work is carried out together with a team of remote sensing and crop modeling expertise within the Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University.

Qualification requirements
Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position, completed no more than three years before the last date for applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Applicants must have:

• Basic university education in technical or natural science with a large component of geomatics (GIS, remote sensing, computer analysis)
• PhD with specialization in remote sensing of vegetation
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English

Assessment criteria and other qualifications
This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers.

Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• Optical remote sensing, preferably oriented towards time-series analysis
• Climatology / hydrology / water resources
• Plant science / ecology, preferably oriented towards agricultural productivity
• Computer programming
• Data analysis (statistics, numerical analysis, time series analysis etc.)
• Spectral field measurements
• Crop modeling.

Additional assessment criteria:

• Published in international journals
• Other documented communication skills
• Drivers licence

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of a maximum of 2years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a :post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S, OFR/S and SEKO, dated 4 September 2008

Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English and be compiled into a PDF-file containing:

• résumé/CV, including a list of publications
• a general description of past research and future research interests (no more than three pages)
• contact information of at least two references
• copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered