PhD candidate on Fingerprinting Remote Sensing Based Vegetation Types for Application in Global Vegetation Model

by GIS Resources , 2015-11-03

Leiden University (founded in 1575) is one of Europe’s leading international research-intensive universities. This prominent position gives our graduates an advantage when applying for positions both within and outside the academic world.

The PhD candidate will develop an unsupervised vegetation classification system based on vegetation characteristics that can directly be derived from Earth Observation data. Such classification is meant to be globally applicable, based on ecological concepts and data. The impacts of temporal variation in vegetation characteristics, and of functional diversity in general, on vegetation classification will be determined and validated. Additionally, the PhD candidate will incorporate, in collaboration with international partners, the classification system into a global vegetation model to evaluate the potential merits of consistent earth observation data when estimating global carbon and water fluxes.

No. of Positions Available : 1

Description: 

• Master’s degree in biology, earth sciences or earth observation;
• A strong quantitative view on vegetation and ecosystem functioning;
• Skills that allow you to model and to quantitatively integrate environmental, earth observation and/or ecological information;
• Knowledge on earth observation technology is preferred;
• Proficient in spoken and written English;
• Good communication skills;
• A strong interest in a scientific career.

Benefits

We offer a full-time, fixed-term post for a period of one year with an extension of three years after positive evaluation of capabilities and compatibility. Ultimately the appointment must lead to the completion of a PhD thesis.

Salary range from € 2.125,- in the first year up to € 2.717,- in year four gross per month, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

All our PhD students are embedded in the Leiden University Graduate School of Science www.graduateschools.leidenuniv.nl. Our graduate school offers several PhD training courses at three levels: professional courses, skills training and personal effectiveness. In addition, advanced courses to deepen scientific knowledge are offered by the research school.

We aim to employ more women in areas where they are underrepresented. Women are therefore especially invited to apply.

How to Apply

Application Deadline: Nov. 16, 2015

To apply for this vacancy, please send an e-mail quoting the vacancy number (15-365) to Susanna van den Oever:sollicitaties@cml.leidenuniv.nl.

Please ensure that you upload your curriculum vitae and a letter of motivation.

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