Postdoc on machine learning-based flood mapping and water level modelling at national scale

With this Postdoc position, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of a cutting-edge modelling system to provide key hydrological information to the Danish society. The real-time forecasting system to be developed will leverage information on flood inundation risk to increase resilience towards hydrological extremes.

The Postdoc project is part of a large project that involves collaboration with the Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI), the Danish Agency for Data Supply and Infrastructure (SDFI) and the Danish Environmental Protection Agency (MST).

Job description
Within the Postdoc project you will conduct cutting-edge research within large-scale flood inundation mapping based on satellite data (e.g. Sentinel SAR and optical data) and inter-compare alternative mapping approaches under Danish conditions. Moreover, you will be working on a machine learning (ML) based regionalization of gauge-based relationships between discharge and water level (Q-h relationship) to estimate water levels at ungauged locations given a simulated discharge. Your project will be transdisciplinary spanning over hydrology, remote sensing and ML, in particular spatial Deep Learning approaches.

The specific objectives include (1) the identification of a suitable algorithm for satellite-based inundation mapping under Danish conditions, (2) the development of a ML-based regionalization of Q-h relationships.

As a Postdoc at GEUS, you will contribute to the further development of the ongoing efforts to operationalize the national coupled groundwater surface water model (DK-Model) to provide real-time and forecast information on the status of groundwater and surface water to the Danish society. You will work in closely with a PhD who will be hired on the same project starting in January 2024.

You should expect to broaden your existing field by covering elements of hydrological modelling, remote sensing, machine learning, data analysis and data management. Your research findings should be published in leading journals within the field. You are expected to contribute to the internationalization of the project by attending international conferences.

Your qualifications
You are expected to hold a PhD degree (in geosciences, environmental engineering or related) and the appointment will be made based on your scientific achievements, study record and related work experience. Special emphasis will be placed on experience with numerical hydrological modelling, satellite remote sensing and machine learning. In addition, specific knowledge or experience with geographical information systems (GIS), programming skills (python) and processing of large datasets will be an asset. Moreover, previous involvement in dissemination of scientific results via peer-reviewed journals or conferences will be positively evaluated. Lastly, the degree of internationalization, documented through external research stays or participation in international PhD training programmes, will be considered in the evaluation.

Special consideration will be given to the candidate’s ability to embrace a broad range of activities and collaborate within a team of colleagues on a daily basis. The candidate must also master English and if they do not speak Danish, they are encouraged to take up Danish classes and reach an appropriate level of understanding.

Department of Hydrology
The department of Hydrology at GEUS works with the characterisation, modelling and management of the water cycle and solute transport in Danish and international contexts. The department contributes with research, consultancy, and capacity building in four main areas: hydrogeological characterisation, water and solute cycle, climate impacts and adaptation, and water management. Most of the department’s activities are carried out in close cooperation with Danish as well as foreign research institutes and universities. There are about 25 staff in the department, of which nearly 20 are researchers or PhD students and postdocs.

We offer

• A creative and interdisciplinary research environment
• A lively and informal working environment with talented and dedicated colleagues
• Versatile work duties and good opportunities to influence them
• Development opportunities with access to courses and other further education
• Family friendly workplace with flextime
• An active social environment, with a staff association and art society
• Fitness centre with physiotherapy at the workplace

Salary and conditions of employment
In accordance with the collective agreements between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the relevant eligible trade union. The position is for a two-year period (24 months) and is to be filled as soon as possible.

The appointment area is the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities and its institutions.
The Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities considers diversity to be an asset and invites anybody interested, regardless of gender, age, religion or ethnicity to apply for the position.

Further information
Please contact Senior Researcher Julian Koch on tel. +45 9133 3616 e-mail: [email protected] or the Head of Department Heidi Barlebo on tel. +45 9133 3601, e-mail: [email protected].

International applicants can read more about living and working in Denmark on GEUS’ homepage: http://eng.geus.dk/about/jobs/

Application
The application must include a letter of motivation, a CV (incl. ORCID), a list of publications with a separate indication of journal papers that are registered in ISI Web of Science. PhD diploma, as well as a short summary of the PhD or other material that can document qualifications at Postdoc level must be enclosed.

Submitted PhD theses that have not yet been defended may be documented or attached to the application and will be included in the assessment. The PhD thesis must be approved by the University prior to appointment. Submitted journal papers in review can likewise be included or documented and will be included in the assessment.

Please, send your application via GEUS’ website www.geus.dk under Jobs and Education (Job og Uddannelse). Your application must be with GEUS no later than 12.00 midday (Danish time), Friday 12 January 2024.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

The appointment procedure
An expert academic assessment committee consisting of two internal senior researchers will make an individual evaluation of applicants’ academic qualifications, where candidates are deemed qualified or non-qualified in relation to the position advertised. Then an appointments committee decide which of the qualified candidates they want to call for a job interview. The procedure is in accordance with “Circular on the appointment and assessment of academic staff at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland”, Sections 4 and 7.

Kilde: Jobnet.dk