Doctoral student in Predicting hydrological extremes with Earth data Full-time

Doctoral Student In Predicting Hydrological Extremes With Earth Data

The Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering invites applications for a fully funded PhD position within a research project focused on the development of global Earth Observation–based indicators, machine-learning prediction systems, and data-assimilation methods for improving forecasting of drought-to-flood transition events.

The PhD candidate will work at the interface of hydrology, remote sensing, machine learning, and seasonal forecasting, contributing to high-impact scientific publications.

The three main key innovative points of the projects are:

1. Harmonise and integrate multiple Earth Observation sources of climatic drivers to design comprehensive indicators of drought to flood transitions;
2. Develop predictive Machine Learning models for consecutive drought to flood events, accounting for the spatiotemporal interplays between different hydro-climatic drivers;
3. Combine a data assimilation method with predictive Machine Learning models for improving seasonal forecasts of consecutive drought to flood events by integrating near real-time Earth Observations of hydro-climatic variables globally.

Supervision: Luigia Brandimarte (KTH) is proposed to supervise the doctoral student, along with Andrea Nascetti (KTH) and Maurizio Mazzoleni (Vrije Universitet, Amsterdam) are proposed to supervise the doctoral student. Decisions are made on admission

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a second cycle degree (for example a master's degree), or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or
• acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge

To be admitted to the third-cycle education in Environmental Engineering, the applicant must have passed courses resulting in at least 60 credits at minimum second-cycle level in Environmental Engineering or other subjects deemed directly relevant to the chosen specialisation. These entry requirements can be also be considered fulfilled by an applicant who has acquired essentially equivalent knowledge in arrangement.

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6.

Selection

In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

• independently pursue his or her work
• collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach and
• analyze and work with complex issues.

Great importance in the selection process will be placed on academic results and completed courses; previous specialization in hydrology/hydraulics is particularly relevant. The candidate is expected to have strong quantitative background, and proven experience in statistics and time-series analysis is considered meritorious qualifications. Familiarity with machine learning/deep learning methods is desirable, as is experience working with large datasets.

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal skills.

Target Degree: Doctoral Degree

Information Regarding Admission And Employment

Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years' time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. In the case of studies that are to be completed with a licentiate degree, the total period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for two years.

As a doctoral student, you are entitled to a workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH's Doctoral student salary agreement.

Read more about Doctoral studies (PhD) | KTH | Sweden.