Postdoc scholarship (2 years) within remote sensing of Arctic ecosystems

The Department of Ecology and Environmental Science is offering a postdoctoral scholarship within remote sensing of Arctic ecosystems. The scholarship is full-time for two years with access 1 March 2025 or by agreement. Application deadline is 14th of January, 2025.

Departmental information
Our department is producing outstanding research on Arctic ecosystems and the impacts of climate change. We offer excellent development opportunities for young scientists to specialize in these fields, for example through the Climate Impacts Research Centre (CIRC). Over the past years, we have built a laboratory for remote sensing and unoccupied aerial vehicles (UAVs; or drones) within the department. The lab consists of multiple fixed wing and quadcopters UAVs, mountable sensors (multispectral, hyperspectral) as well as data-processing infrastructure (high-performance computers, super-computer access).

Project description
What changes in Arctic ecosystems can we observe using UAVs and satellite time-series? We are interested in multiple questions that can be answered using remote sensing and UAVs, including basic questions regarding the functioning of Arctic ecosystems, Arctic vegetation productivity changes (greening and browning), herbivory, the effects of permafrost degradation and changing snow conditions.

We are looking for a postdoctoral fellow to join our research group. We offer the opportunity to study various aspects of the above-mentioned questions. This may include the analyses of UAV and satellite time-series data. Other research interests include spatial modelling, land cover change and object-detection. The candidate may choose to study existing data or join our field campaigns to collect new data. Most of our fieldwork is in the Abisko region, northern Sweden. Here we maintain a long-term UAV data series and several field experiments with long-term ecological plot data.

We have a number of concrete project ideas within the above-mentioned topics and welcome the candidates’ own suggestions. The exact direction of the project will be adjusted based on the background, merits and interests of the candidate. At the interview stage, research ideas will be discussed, and a research plan will be agreed on with the candidate prior appointment.

Qualifications
To qualify as a postdoctoral scholarship holder, the postdoctoral fellow is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This qualification requirements must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the decision about scholarship recipient.

Priority should be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree, according to what is stipulated in the paragraph above, no later than three years prior. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their doctoral degree prior to that may also be eligible. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade union organizations, military service, or similar circumstances, as well as clinical practice or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject are

We are seeking a candidate with a doctoral degree within physical geography, remote sensing, GIS, ecology, geosciences or related fields. We are looking for a creative and motivated person with excellent skills in processing of remote sensing data. You should be able to structure your data evaluation independently. Prior experience with UAV data processing, UAV field data collection, processing with R, Python or Google Earth Engine, and processing of large quantities of data are all complementary merits. A background in research on Arctic ecosystems, Arctic ecology, permafrost or herbivory are a merit but not necessary. Good oral and written communication skills in English, strong publication skills, and the ability to collaborate within the working group and with outside collaborators are important.

Application
The application should be written in English or Swedish, and attached documents should be in PDF format. The application should be registered via Umeå University’s e-recruitment system Varbi and submitted by the deadline 14th of January, 2025.

• A cover letter describing your scientific background, interest in the above-mentioned research areas, potential project ideas and your suitability (max. 2 pages)
• A CV, including a list of your publications
• Copies of your doctoral thesis and other relevant publications (maximum 5)
• Copy of doctoral degree certificate or description when your doctoral degree is expected to be obtained
• Contact information for at least two reference persons
• Any other documents you wish to refer to

Further information
The postdoctoral fellowwill be placed in the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, and will be advised by Assoc. Prof. Matthias Siewert and Prof. Johan Olofsson. The stipend is financed by the Kempe foundation and runs for two years. The scholarship amounts to 350 000 SEK per year (around 28 500 euro). The scholarship is not subject to tax.

Questions can be directed to Assoc. Prof. Matthias Siewert: matthias.siewert@umu.se

We look forward to receiving your application!