Doctoral Researcher, “Building a Smart Climate-resilient Agriculture in the New hydro-climatological pattern”  - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

We are now looking for a

Doctoral Researcher, “Building a Smart Climate-resilient Agriculture in the New hydro-climatological pattern”

to join us in Hydrosystems Engineering and Management research group in Water Energy and Environmental Engineering Research Unit (WE3) at the Faculty of Technology

Water, Energy, and Environmental Engineering research unit (WE3) carries out high-class research in the field of environmental technology, with a focus on water and energy. Climate change and energy transition are great challenges, and our research aims to find sustainable solutions to these issues. Our research covers hydrological process studies in watersheds, water quality issues, and microbiological studies for water treatment and protection. WE3 integrates system-level research of water-land-energy resources, modelling and sustainability assessments. In urban areas, our research offers safe and sustainable solutions to water, wastewater, and energy supply.

Hydrosystems Engineering and Management is one of four research groups in WE3. The group works on globally important rural and urban land-water systems. We aim to move to a new level of modeling, system understanding, and impact assessment using remote sensing, smart monitoring, and modelling systems. Our research provides solutions for sustainable water management, land use, hydropower, flood, and drought management.

About the job   

The recently funded Building a Smart Climate-resilient Agriculture in the New hydro-climatological pattern due to climate change in Finland (BSCANDF) project aims to quantify the possible impact of climate change on the Nordic region's agriculture, with a specific focus on Finland. Identifying the timing and frequency of dry (drought) and wet (flood) spell water management at the farm and catchment levels is crucial for sustainable agricultural production. An Artificial intelligence (AI)-based framework will be applied to assimilate in-situ and remotely sensed data to predict the evolution of the hydro-climatological states at the farm and regional scales. The Spatio-temporal downscaled climate change scenarios will be used in the AI framework to address the impact on agricultural production.

The advertised position will investigate the long-term impact of changes in rainfall and temperature on Nordic agriculture and put forward potential adaptation and mitigation measures to diminish the consequences of Climate Change at a regional level (Finland) and pilot scales (Tyrnävä, Finland). The position will be based in the Hydrosystems Engineering and Management research group, lead by associate professor Ali Torabi Haghighi (https://www.oulu.fi/en/research-groups/hydrosystems-engineering-and-management). Associate professor Ali Torabi Haghighi and Dr. Epari Ritesh Patro supervise the position.

• As a doctoral researcher, you should receive doctoral study rights as defined in UniOGS.
• As a doctoral researcher, you should follow the UniOGS rules.
• As a doctoral researcher, your topic is “Agriculture in a changing climate: Unlocking challenges and opportunities.”
• In the BSCANDF project, your responsibility is evaluation of agricultural vulnerability to climate change.
• You will also be part of a multidisciplinary research group called Hydrosystems Engineering and Management.

What we offer?

• The support of an experienced and enthusiastic team of 15 people where you can share your expertise and grow as an expert.
• Wellness benefit ePassi covering sport, culture and well-being. Read more about other staff benefits here.
• Development and career options of the big organization.
• Work that matters and a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Read more about working with us.

Who are you?

The Master’s Degree must have been completed with good grades (at least 60% of the maximum grade, or 3/5, in both the taught studies and the Master’s thesis). You will carry out your doctoral studies in the Technology and Natural Sciences Doctoral Programme of the University of Oulu Graduate School, and you must meet the minimal requirements to receive doctoral study rights as defined in UniOGS.

In order to succeed and enjoy the position, we expect from you:

• Master´s degree in water resources engineering, irrigation, and drainage engineering or relevant fields.
• Strong quantitative skills, Remote sensing, and GIS and ability to work with Python or R or MATLAB.
• Knowledge of statistical methods, Data mining, and artificial intelligence.
• Fluent English language skills
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team

We also appreciate

• Finnish language skills
• Experience in climate change assessment and agricultural engineering (i.e., crop water and crop yield calculation).

Salary

The position is fixed-term for two years as of 15.03.2023 or as soon as possible thereafter. The applicant should apply for external funding for the rest of the doctoral studies together with thesis supervisors and the research group.

The salary will be based on the levels 2-4 of the demand level chart for teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid (maximum of 50 % of the job-specific component). Starting gross salary will be approx. 2200-2600 € per month (before taxes).  A trial period of 6 months is applied in the position.

How to apply?

Interested? If yes, please apply by 31.01.2023 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system.

The application should be written in English and include the following:

1. Application describing prior knowledge, research interests, and career plans (1-2 pages)
2. Complete CV containing contact information of at least two referees and a list of journal and conference publications (if any) and a teaching portfolio (if any). A recommended CV template can be found on the webpage of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity (http://www.tenk.fi/en/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae).
3. Certificates/Diplomas: Scanned electronic copies of diplomas and transcripts of the records of relevant previous degrees (MSc and BSc or equivalent). If the original documents are not in English, Finnish, or Swedish, an official certified translation must accompany each document into English.

The eligible applicants fitting best in the profile expected for the position will be invited to an on-site or remote interview. All applicants will be notified during the selection process.

We welcome applicants from different backgrounds, such as people of different ages, genders and members of different languages, cultural, or minority groups. 

Contact Information

If you have any further questions, please contact

Postdoctoral Researcher Epari Ritesh Patro, (WE3) Ritesh.Patro@oulu.fi,

Associate Professor Ali Torabi Haghighi, (WE3), ali.torabihaghighi@oulu.fi, +358 404492894