FES: Two Post-doctoral Research Fellowships: Hydroclimatologist and Hydroclimatic Data Scientist:

Two Post-doctoral Research Fellowships: Hydroclimatologist and Hydroclimatic Data Scientist

 

Description

We are seeking highly motivated and skilled post-doctoral researchers to join our research group and contribute to the ITHACA project (Investigation of Terrestrial HydrologicAl Cycle Acceleration). The successful candidates will independently conduct critical research aligned with the group’s objectives, mentor PhD candidates, and contribute to the group’s publication process and proposal submissions at the national/international level. They will also give lectures, organize the group science meetings, and provide thoughtful insights into the group’s research activities, contributing to the growth and development of the research group.

The project aims to investigate how the intensification of the hydrological cycle will impact the water availability over land. The research group will analyze long-term hydroclimatic datasets consisting of observational records, model simulations, and paleoclimatic reconstructions. By applying state-of-the-art statistical techniques and developing new methodologies, we aim to tackle the challenges in data inhomogeneities, quantify and reduce the observed uncertainty, and detect potential casual mechanisms within the spatio-temporal patterns and trends of past, present, and future change. We will use these results to advance our understanding over the long-term variability of the terrestrial hydrological cycle and revisit the prevailing hypotheses about its change. We encourage unconventional approaches that can truly advance the state of the art.

Started in 2022, the ITHACA project is led by Dr. Y. Markonis and brings together experts in Hydroclimatology (M. Hanel, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague), hydrology (O. Rakovec, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research), and stochastic hydrology (S. M. Papalexiou, University of Calgary). In addition, it is also supported by external collaborations with Rutgers University, Imperial College London, and Beijing Normal University. The ultimate goal of the project is to provide some actionable information about the potential impacts of hydrological cycle acceleration on water availability over land.

Position #1 Hydroclimatologist

Mission

To generate disruptive research ideas in the study of terrestrial water cycle that challenge the assumptions of the current status quo and result in new insights about past, present, and future patterns of change.

Key responsibilities

• Independently conduct critical research aligned with the group research objectives.
• Coordinate the group publication process and help the group members to grow their academic publication skills.
• Lead two papers at the top academic journals of the field per year and participate at least in five more led by other group members.
• Contribute to mentoring of two Ph.D. candidates for the next three years.
• Coordinate the submission of 2-4 proposals per year, leading at least one of them.
• Give lectures on water cycle-related topics in the Earth System Science course (Bachelor of Environmental Data Science).
• Organize the group science meetings and provide insights into the group’s research activities.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. degree in a related field with focus in the large-scale changes of the terrestrial water cycle.
• Strong research skills, including experience leading research projects and publications in top academic journals.
• Deep understanding of the large-scale processes involved in the terrestrial water cycle.
• Excellent organizational and coordination skills, including experience in proposal submission.
• Demonstrated ability to support research group activities and/or mentoring Ph.D. candidates.
• Strong teamwork and social skills.
• Strong mentorship skills and the ability to guide the research activities of PhD candidates.
• Expert knowledge of R.
• Prior post-doctoral experience (1-3 years) is considered an asset.

Position #2 Hydroclimatic Data Scientist

Mission

To create scientific software solutions that enhance group research, support the member needs, and improve the dissemination of the results.

Key responsibilities

• Support group research activities by performing spatial analyses with big data and/or providing expertise in statistics/stochastics.
• Supervise dataset pre-processing and curation.
• Update pRecipe, CoSMoS, and csa packages within the first year.
• Development of a hydroclimatic processing package in R in the next year.
• Organize and lead 2-4 workshops per year on hydroclimatic data related topics.
• Teach two courses in the summer semester of the Bachelor of Environmental Data Science (Exploratory Data Analysis and Stochastic Hydrology/Applied Environmental Statistics).

Requirements

• D. degree in hydrology, climatology, applied mathematics or data science.
• Expert knowledge of R, including demonstrated ability of package development.
• Practical understanding of parallel computing approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to support research group activities.
• Teaching/mentoring experience.
• Strong publication record.

Duration

One year with extension up to three years within the ITHACA project starting as soon as possible.

 

 

 

Background

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU) is the leading Czech university in water research. Currently, the university has more than 18 000 students (10% are international students), six Faculties and one Institute. CZU offers over 170 accredited study programs at B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. levels with a quarter of them offered in English. Since 2007 the Czech University of Life Sciences has been a member of the Euroleague for Life Sciences and was recently ranked as the most sustainable university in the Czech Republic. The Faculty of Environmental Sciences (FES) is one of the top Faculties nationwide with extensive experience in teaching and broad research interests. It follows an integrative, multi-disciplinary approach in the doctoral and master’s degree programs, and the faculty is committed to providing graduate students with skills to be successful in a range of careers. The project will be carried out in the Department of Water Resources and Environmental Modeling, a fast-growing and dynamic department with high research activity and increasing international exposure. Our scientific studies cover a broad range of subjects ranging from hydroclimatic variability to planetary hydrology. CZU is located in Prague, one of the top-ranked European cities to live in, with a rich history in arts and science.

Application process

To apply please write to markonis@fzp.czu.cz attaching a cover letter (max 1 page) outlining both your motivation and your suitability for the position and the project, and your CV (max 2 pages) including names and contact details of two references.

If you are passionate about advancing the study of the terrestrial water cycle and developing novel research concepts, we encourage you to apply!