Postdoctoral Position in Remote Sensing of Crop Growth

Subject Description
The position is a two-year postdoctoral appointment (with the possibility of extension to three years) to work within the project Near-real-time monitoring of crop growth and yield, funded by the Swedish National Space Agency.

The project aims to develop an integrated, satellite-based system for near-real-time monitoring of crop growth and early yield prediction, combining remote sensing, machine learning, and crop modeling to support sustainable agriculture. Within the project, we will estimate key soil properties such as clay content, organic matter, and soil moisture using radar and optical satellites (Sentinel‑1 and Sentinel‑2). To enable near-real-time monitoring of crop growth, the work includes processing satellite time-series data and applying advanced time-series methods for early estimation of seasonal growth curves. Vegetation parameters, such as Leaf Area Index (LAI), will be retrieved from satellite data through modeling and vegetation indices. These satellite-derived data will be integrated into crop growth models, such as SAFY and Daisy, using data assimilation techniques. The models will be validated and calibrated against field observations and UAV-based measurements. Finally, scalable and cost-effective methodologies will be developed for operational crop monitoring and yield prediction, applicable to both Swedish and international agriculture.

Work Duties
The main duties of the postdoctoral position are to conduct research. Teaching may be included, but no more than one-fifth of the working time. The position also includes the opportunity to complete three weeks of higher education pedagogy training.

Detailed description of work duties:

• Perform field measurements in agricultural fields as input for remote sensing modeling.
• Develop methods to estimate soil parameters (clay content, organic matter, and moisture) from optical and radar data, e.g., using machine learning.
• Develop near-real-time methodology for estimating crop growth, including testing methods for extracting smooth seasonal curves and uncertainty estimation.
• Integrate remote sensing data with crop growth models through data assimilation.
• Develop practically applicable methods for monitoring agricultural crops based on data from various sources, including satellite sensors.
• Communicate project results appropriately to both researchers and the general public.

The work will be carried out within a group of remote sensing and modeling experts at the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (MGeo), Lund University.

Eligibility
To be eligible for appointment as a postdoctoral researcher, the applicant must hold a PhD or an equivalent foreign degree in the subject area of the position, awarded no more than three years before the application deadline. Exceptions may be made if there are special circumstances.

Other requirements:

• Basic university education in a technical or natural science subject with a strong component of geomatics (GIS, remote sensing, programming).
• PhD with strong component of remote sensing.
• Excellent knowledge of English, both spoken and written.

Assessment Criteria
This is a career-development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a research career, and assessment will primarily be based on scientific merits and potential as a researcher.

Particular emphasis will be placed on scientific ability within the subject area.
The following knowledge areas will form the basis for assessment:

• Quantitative remote sensing, including optical and radar data.
• Plant science/ecology, especially related to agriculture.
• Computer programming.
• Data analysis (machine learning, statistics, numerical analysis, time-series analysis, etc.).
• Crop modeling.
• Quantitiative methods in remote sensing of vegetation, i e radiative transfer modeling.

Other merits:

• Experience in field data collection.
• Publications in international journals.
• Documented communication skills.
• Driving license (Category B).

We are looking for a meticulous and well-organized person with a strong interest in research. Consideration will also be given to good collaboration skills, initiative, independence, and how the applicant’s experience and competence complement and strengthen ongoing research at the department and contribute to its future development.

Terms of Employment
The position is full-time and limited to two years, with the possibility of extension for one year. The employment is regulated by the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” dated 2022-02-01 (between the Swedish Agency for Government Employers, OFR, Saco-S, and SEKO).

Application Instructions
Applications must be written in English and include:

• CV including publication list.
• Description of previous research, and competence (maximum 3 pages). Please specify your competence in relation to each of the above listed assessment criteria.
• Contact details of at least two references.
• Copy of PhD diploma and any other certificates/grades the applicant wishes to refer to. 

Welcome to apply!