PhD student in Geospatial Information Science – satellite geodesy

Job Description

The position is a doctoral position in geospatial information science with a geodesy specialisation. The doctoral programme involves the student writing a scientific thesis corresponding to 180 higher education credits and completing courses of at least 60 higher education credits. Those who are awarded a place on the programme may also be allowed to work with teaching and administrative work comprising a maximum of 20% of full-time. Such service extends the period of employment to a corresponding extent. Successful candidates are expected to carry out most of their work on campus and to participate regularly in Academy activities such as seminars and meetings.

The project is in the field of satellite geodesy, focusing on GNSS Interferometric Reflectometry (GNSS-IR) for environmental monitoring. The aim is to advance the use of GNSS-IR to measure various Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) such as water level (sea and lake), snow depth, and soil moisture content, using low-cost and permanent GNSS CORS stations.

The outcomes of this research will play a critical role in addressing climate change impacts and supporting decision-makers, to enhance environmental and geohazard monitoring. This project will explore GNSS-IR applications within the context of hydro-geodesy, which provides cost-effective and continuous (high temporal resolution) observations.

GNSS-IR can complement traditional techniques and existing remote sensing methods, particularly in environmental monitoring where maintaining traditional equipment is challenging or where other methods provide lower data resolution.  The research will also investigate how different factors affect the GNSS-IR results and explore solutions to overcome these challenges.

 A key topic of the project is the assimilation of GNSS-IR data with other remote sensing and in situ observations for spatial downscaling. The successful candidate will contribute to the design and execution of case studies where the GNSS-IR method is developed, adapted, and evaluated in selected applications.

Qualifications

To be admitted to doctoral studies (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7, Sections 39–40), the applicant must meet the general entry requirements:

• Hold a master's degree.
• Have completed at least 240 credits (ECTS), of which at least 60 credits are at the master's level, or have acquired equivalent knowledge in another way, either in Sweden or abroad.

For admission to doctoral studies in Geospatial Information Science at the University of Gävle, the specific entry requirements, as per the general study plan, include:

• That the applicant has completed at least 90 ECTS credits in geodesy or a related field at the undergraduate or postgraduate level, or possess equivalent qualifications. Of these, at least 15 ECTS credits must be from an independent thesis project. Alternatively, the applicant may have acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or abroad.

All eligibility requirements must be met by the application deadline.

We are looking for candidates who have:

• strong proficiency in English, both written and spoken,
• relevant expertise in one or more of the following areas: artificial intelligence, machine learning, software development (e.g. Python and Matlab), geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing,
• personal qualities such as independence, creativity, motivation, and a structured approach to problem-solving
• outstanding academic records.

Desirable/Additional Merits:

Experience with research-related work and teaching in a relevant field is considered an advantage. Knowledge of Swedish or another Scandinavian language is also valued.

Information on Admission and Employment

Only individuals admitted to doctoral studies are eligible for employment as PhD students. The total duration of employment may not exceed four years of full-time doctoral study. However, if the position includes departmental duties such as teaching or administration (up to a maximum of 20% of full-time), the period of employment may be extended to a total of five years. The initial contract is for a maximum of one year, with the possibility of renewal for periods of up to two years at a time.

Application

Welcome with your application. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the application is complete upon submission.

The application must include:

- CV with relevant professional experience and knowledge, including a list of referees.

 - Letter of application with a brief statement of why you want to pursue doctoral studies, a justification of what you can contribute to this particular doctoral project, of your academic interests and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals (maximum 2 pages).

 - Copies of diplomas and transcripts from previous university studies. Proof of fulfilment of language requirements (see above).

Translations into English or Swedish are needed if the original document is not issued in one of these languages.

 - Representative publications or technical reports and other documents that may support the application. For longer documents, please attach an abstract and a web link to the full text.

Contact

Jonas Boustedt, Head of department
Phone: +46-26-64 87 72,  +46-70-191 45 25
E-mail: jonas.boustedt@hig.se