PhD positions at the interface of data science, hydrogeophysics and climate change research

The University of Lausanne (UNIL) is a leading international teaching and research institution composed of seven faculties where approximately 17,000 students and 5,000 collaborators, professors, and researchers work and study. Ideally situated on the lake of Geneva, near Lausanne's city centre, its campus brings together over 120 nationalities. As an employer, UNIL encourages excellence, individual recognition, and responsibility.

The Institute of Earth Sciences is seeking to fill three PhD positions in a project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. The project entitled Geophysics-assisted Rare Event Estimation in Changing Environments (GREECE) is interdisciplinary in nature and includes project partners with strong expertise in environmental geophysics, hydrology, climate science, data science and statistics. PhD A will develop methodologies for the efficient estimation of rare event probabilities, related to subsurface properties and in the presence of climate change, within an inversion setting. PhD B will develop efficient deep-learning-based surrogate models to replace computationally costly forward solvers in subsurface hydrology and near-surface geophysics. PhD C will generate meteorological time-series that are representative of different climate scenarios and use them together with the methodological advances by PhDs A and B to assess how the probabilities of rare events depend on the chosen process model. PhD C will also explore spatial upscaling of rare event probabilities in subsurface hydrology. 

Expected starting date: 01.01.2025 or a later date to be agreed upon

Contract length: 1 year, renewable up to 4 years

Activity rate: 100%

Workplace: Institute of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences and Environment, University of Lausanne

Work independently and in collaboration with other PhD students and project partners to advance research within the scope of a PhD thesis. Contribute (up to 15%) to teaching or other institutional activities.

Successful applicants are expected to have a MSc degree in geophysics, hydrology, physics, statistics, data science or engineering. Ideal candidates will have a strong interest in Bayesian statistics (PhD A); machine learning or scientific computing (PhD B); hydrometeorology, subsurface hydrology or soil science (PhD C). A willingness to work closely with the other PhD students and with project partners is expected.

An advanced level in English is needed, while a working knowledge of French is an advantage.

You will join an institute of 160 members dedicated to research and teaching in the Earth sciences. We offer excellent working conditions in a multicultural, diverse, and dynamic academic environment, with opportunities for professional training and networking. The GREECE project will allow you to exchange with leading research groups both nationally and internationally.

Prof. Niklas Linde (Write an email).

Deadline : 24.11.2024

Please, send your full application in Word or PDF :

- A cover letter stating your overall motivation for one or more of the advertised positions

- Your CV

- A copy of your diplomas

- Names and contact details of three potential referees

Only applications through this website will be taken into account.

We thank you for your understanding.

UNIL is committed to:

•    equality, diversity and inclusion within its community;

•    ensuring an open and respectful environment that is conducive to personal development;

•    offering working conditions that facilitate work-life balance;

•    supporting early career researchers.

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