Skip to main content

PhD position in 'Remote sensing of macrozoobenthos in tidal systems' Utrecht University






PhD position in 'Remote sensing of macrozoobenthos in tidal systems' Utrecht University


FunctieAs part of a collaborative project between Utrecht University (UU) and the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), we seek an enthusiastic candidate for a PhD position within the field of remote sensing of tidal systems. It is a position within the project 'Looking from space to the lower levels of the foodweb in wadden systems', awarded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO).
This project aims to monitor macrozoobenthos with remote sensing in intertidal systems. Tidal flats serve as a nursery area for fish and a staging area for migratory birds, for which availability of macrozoobenthos is crucial for their food security. The status of this low trophic layer of the food-web is considered indicative for the ecosystem quality. Sea-level rise and economic activities like shrimp fisheries and gas extraction interfere with the ecosystem functioning, making (seasonal) monitoring essential. This is complicated by the low accessibility of the flats and high labour intensity of field sampling. Remote sensing can overcome both, but faces its own challenge posed by the poor spectral characteristics of the flats.
This project will search for innovative solutions in the combination of deep-learning techniques and object-based image analysis to identify the nature and dynamics of spatial patterns in benthic fauna.
Your research will include three parts. First, you will apply deep learning techniques to remote sensing images (UAV, Planet, Sentinel2) to optimize information extraction. Second, you will develop algorithms to link (seasonal) field observations on macrozoobenthos and their environmental preferences to the image information. Third, you will analyse time series of satellite images to catch the dynamics of macrozoobenthos. The newly developed non-destructive method allows for monitoring the seasonal and interannual dynamics of macrozoobenthos and the associated food security for fish and birds. 

You will focus on the temperate tidal system in the Dutch Wadden Sea and the tropical system of Barr Al Hikman in Oman. Several field campaigns to sample macrozoobenthos and sediment characteristics are part of your project, both in the Netherlands and in Oman. The campaigns will be supported by the highly-experienced field-technicians from NIOZ and the faculty's Earth Simulation Laboratory (ESL).
The following team will support and supervise you: Dr Elisabeth Addink (daily supervisor, UU), Prof Katja Philippart (1st promotor, UU & NIOZ), Dr Wiebe Nijland (daily supervisor, UU) and Prof Steven de Jong (2nd promotor, UU). Utrecht University will be your home base with numerous stays at NIOZ during the Dutch field campaigns and the lab analyses.

Up to 10% of your time will be dedicated to assisting in the BSc and MSc teaching programmes of the Graduate School of Geosciences. The UU offers you a personalized training programme set up, mutually agreed on recruitment, to strengthen your research profile, adding skills and filling knowledge gaps. It will help you achieve your long-term career objectives as well as supplement and support the project-related research.
đź“·đź“·đź“·
ProfielWe are looking for a creative candidate with:
an MSc degree in Earth Surface Processes, Physical Geography, Ecology, Data Science or a closely related discipline;
knowledge of remote sensing and/or spatial data analysis;
affinity with (ecological) fieldwork;
a driver's license;
proficiency in English, both spoken and written;
demonstrable organisational skills and the ability to work independently;
a strong motivation to (learn how to) communicate your research in journal papers and international conferences;
a keen interest in the outreach of your work outside of the academic setting (e.g. through stakeholder meetings);
an enthusiastic mindset as a team player.
Our department has committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its workforce, and we explicitly welcome women to apply.đź“·đź“·đź“·
Aanbod
You will be offered a full-time PhD position (1.0 FTE), initially for one year with an extension to a total of four years upon successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period. The gross salary starts with €2,395 per month in the first year and increases to €3,061 in the fourth year (scale P according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year. In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). More information about working at Utrecht University can be found here.
Over de organisatie
The Department of Physical Geography has the ambition to excel in research and education on BSc, MSc and PhD level. Its research focuses on processes, patterns and dynamics of Earth's continental and coastal systems, and on the interaction between these processes. This knowledge is essential for the sustainable management of our planet and to guarantee the availability of resources for the next generations. Close cooperation with the department of Coastal Systems (NIOZ Texel) ensures the scientific knowledge and fieldwork expertise on ecology of wadden systems, including that of the Wadden Sea and Barr Al Hikman.A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth's core to its surface, including man's spatial and material utilisation of the Earth - always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.
Aanvullende informatieFor more information about this position, please contact:
Dr Elisabeth Addink (Associate Professor), via e.a.addink@uu.nl
Interviews will take place in the week of 16 - 20 November 2020 via online meetings (Skype or MS TEAMS).
Solliciteren
Everyone deserves to feel at home at our university. We welcome employees with a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives. To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation via the 'apply' button below, including names and contact information of 2 referees.
đź“·đź“·đź“·
Reageren uiterlijk25/10/2020






Vineesh V
Assistant Professor of Geography,
Directorate of Education,
Government of Kerala.
https://www.facebook.com/Applied.Geography
http://geogisgeo.blogspot.com

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Atmospheric Window

The atmospheric window in remote sensing refers to specific wavelength ranges within the electromagnetic spectrum that can pass through the Earth's atmosphere relatively unimpeded. These windows are crucial for remote sensing applications because they allow us to observe the Earth's surface and atmosphere without significant interference from the atmosphere's constituents. Key facts and concepts about atmospheric windows: Visible and Near-Infrared (VNIR) window: This window encompasses wavelengths from approximately 0. 4 to 1. 0 micrometers. It is ideal for observing vegetation, water bodies, and land cover types. Shortwave Infrared (SWIR) window: This window covers wavelengths from approximately 1. 0 to 3. 0 micrometers. It is particularly useful for detecting minerals, water content, and vegetation health. Mid-Infrared (MIR) window: This window spans wavelengths from approximately 3. 0 to 8. 0 micrometers. It is valuable for identifying various materials, incl...
Post a Comment
Read more

Platforms in Remote Sensing

In remote sensing, a platform is the physical structure or vehicle that carries a sensor (camera, scanner, radar, etc.) to observe and collect information about the Earth's surface. Platforms are classified mainly by their altitude and mobility : Ground-Based Platforms Definition : Sensors mounted on the Earth's surface or very close to it. Examples : Tripods, towers, ground vehicles, handheld instruments. Applications : Calibration and validation of satellite data Detailed local studies (e.g., soil properties, vegetation health, air quality) Strength : High spatial detail but limited coverage. Airborne Platforms Definition : Sensors carried by aircraft, balloons, or drones (UAVs). Altitude : A few hundred meters to ~20 km. Examples : Airplanes with multispectral scanners UAVs with high-resolution cameras or LiDAR High-altitude balloons (stratospheric platforms) Applications : Local-to-regional mapping ...
Post a Comment
Read more

History of GIS

1. 1832 - Early Spatial Analysis in Epidemiology:    - Charles Picquet creates a map in Paris detailing cholera deaths per 1,000 inhabitants.    - Utilizes halftone color gradients for visual representation. 2. 1854 - John Snow's Cholera Outbreak Analysis:    - Epidemiologist John Snow identifies cholera outbreak source in London using spatial analysis.    - Maps casualties' residences and nearby water sources to pinpoint the outbreak's origin. 3. Early 20th Century - Photozincography and Layered Mapping:    - Photozincography development allows maps to be split into layers for vegetation, water, etc.    - Introduction of layers, later a key feature in GIS, for separate printing plates. 4. Mid-20th Century - Computer Facilitation of Cartography:    - Waldo Tobler's 1959 publication details using computers for cartography.    - Computer hardware development, driven by nuclear weapon research, leads to broader mapping applications by early 1960s. 5. 1960 - Canada Geograph...
Post a Comment
Read more

Scattering

Scattering 
Post a Comment
Read more

History of GIS

The history of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is rooted in early efforts to understand spatial relationships and patterns, long before the advent of digital computers. While modern GIS emerged in the mid-20th century with advances in computing, its conceptual foundations lie in cartography, spatial analysis, and thematic mapping. Early Roots of Spatial Analysis (Pre-1960s) One of the earliest documented applications of spatial analysis dates back to  1832 , when  Charles Picquet , a French geographer and cartographer, produced a cholera mortality map of Paris. In his report  Rapport sur la marche et les effets du cholĂ©ra dans Paris et le dĂ©partement de la Seine , Picquet used graduated color shading to represent cholera deaths per 1,000 inhabitants across 48 districts. This work is widely regarded as an early example of choropleth mapping and thematic cartography applied to epidemiology. A landmark moment in the history of spatial analysis occurred in  1854 , when  John Snow  inv...
Post a Comment
Read more