RESEARCHER IN THE FIELD OF EARTH OBSERVATION AND LAND SURFACE MODELING FOR WATER RESOURCES AND VEGETATION MONITORING OVER THE ALPS

Institute for Earth Observation Short description of the position.
Eurac Research is an interdisciplinary research center located in Bolzano, Italy.
At the Institute for Earth Observation (EO) we monitor environmental parameters and processes with Earth observation and climate data in mountain regions.
One of our main interests is to understand and model the impacts of climate change on glaciers, snow, hydrology, soil, and vegetation.
The successful candidate will support the EURAC Institute for Earth Observations by conducting research on estimating key environmental parameters to study the impact of climate change on mountain water resources and vegetation.
The candidate will join the Biosphere and Hydrosphere research group and collaborate with other groups within the institute.
The Biosphere and Hydrosphere research group leverages Earth Observation (EO) technologies to investigate the spatial-temporal dynamics of the terrestrial water cycle, vegetation conditions, and land cover, with a particular focus on the Alps.
The group develops tailored methods to process satellite imagery, addressing the heterogeneity and topographic complexity of mountainous regions.
The derived products and information are utilized for a range of hydrological, agricultural, and ecological applications.
The position is fully funded within the Framework of the Interreg Alpine Space project A-DROP.
A-DROP (Alpine DROught Prediction) is a 3-year project funded by the Interreg programme on the Priority 1.
Climate resilient and green Alpine region.
The project's overall objective is to equip water managers at policy and operational levels with drought risk management tools and data to address increasing water scarcity due to climate change.
By leveraging advanced digital technologies in Earth Observation, climate, and hydrology, A-DROP enables users in agriculture, hydropower plant management, tourism, and drinking water supply, along with policymakers, to adopt evidence-based water management policies.
The selected candidate will work on activities within project work package 1, "High Resolution Hydrological and Climate Data," and will have the opportunity to collaborate with an internationally recognized and highly competent partnership.
WP1 aims to equip water managers, decision-makers, and scientists with the tools to better understand past, monitor current, and forecast future drought events, as well as predict the effects of climate change on Alpine water resources.
This will be achieved by delivering high-resolution hydrological and climate data.
A key activity in WP1 is the development of processing chains to estimate high-resolution Snow Water Equivalent, Soil Moisture, and Evaporation from satellite data, providing an unprecedented level of spatial detail across the entire Alpine region.
From these datasets, drought indices will be derived.
The successful candidate will focus specifically on Evaporation modeling.
Tasks.
It is expected that the candidate will perform Research Activities within the "A-DROP" Project, specifically.
Energy Balance Modelling.
Develop and enhance models for estimating evaporation using Earth observation data from the Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 missions.
Model Implementation.
Improve the implementation of these models for comprehensive and computationally efficient Alpine-wide mapping of evaporation.
Vegetation Biophysical Parameters.
Estimate vegetation biophysical parameters that are needed for evaporation modelling utilizing satellite data.
Timeseries Analysis.
Analyse timeseries of climate and hydrological data to track changes and patterns.
Drought Index Development.
Derive a drought index from evaporation timeseries to be published as part of the A-DROP deliverables.
Data Integration Techniques.
Apply data fusion and AI techniques to integrate various data types, enhancing the spatial and temporal resolution of satellite datasets.
Documentation.
Maintain thorough documentation of generated codes and ongoing progress of activities.
Scientific Publications.
Write and publish scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals.
Project Reports.
Contribute to the preparation and writing of project reports.
Presentations.
Present research findings at international conferences and events, showcasing the project's progress and results.
Collaborative Efforts.
Work closely with the research group on overlapping topics to foster a collaborative research environment.
Essential Requirements.
Education.
PhD in Environmental Engineering, Informatics Engineering, Geophysics, Hydrology, or a related discipline.
Alternatively, a Master's degree in a relevant field (e.
., Hydrology, Engineering, Physics, Geosciences) followed by significant work experience in modeling and monitoring environmental processes and data.
Experience.
Proven experience in processing satellite data over wide areas, particularly with Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 datasets.
Strong understanding of hydrological and climate processes.
Knowledge about methods to estimate vegetation biophysical parameters from satellite data.
Demonstrated proficiency in at least one programming language such as Python or R.
Proficiency in handling and analyzing geospatial data (both raster and vector formats).
Familiarity with Earth observation software tools (e.
., GDAL, SNAP).
Skills in data analysis and visualization for spatial and temporal datasets.
Skills.
Strong teamwork abilities and excellent communication skills.
Motivation to learn and adapt, with a flexible approach to work.
Certified B2 level of English proficiency.
Knowledge of Italian or German.
Additional Requirements.
Willingness to relocate to Bolzano or nearby cities.
Desired Requirements.
Capability to use HPC clusters Basic knowledge of machine learning methods Knowledge of GIS Systems (GRASS software suite, QuantumGIS, ArcGIS, etc.) Experience working with a Linux environment and command-line (shell) We offer.
Contract Duration.
Up to 3 years, contingent on successful performance during the probationary period.
PhD Funding Opportunity.
Potential to fund a PhD in collaboration with a host university.
Engaging Work Environment.
An interesting and highly responsible role within a dynamic, international, and interdisciplinary team.
Cutting-Edge Facilities.
Access to state-of-the-art technical resources, including software, hardware, and communication tools.
Professional Growth.
Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
Work-Life Balance.
Flexible working hours to support work-life balance.
Employee Benefits.
Family-friendly benefits and other perks.
Cultural and Scientific Access.
Access to EURAC's extensive scientific and cultural facilities and events.
Prime Location.
An attractive workplace situated in a vibrant city in the heart of the Alps, offering endless opportunities for skiing, hiking, climbing, and other outdoor activities.
How to apply.
nterested candidates should submit their application (CV, cover letter and further relevant documents) by For further information on how to apply, please contact Paola Winkler.
For scientific information on the position contact Mariapina Castelli.