alto University is an international community of bold thinkers where science and art meet technology and business. We are committed to identifying and solving grand societal challenges and building an innovative future. Aalto University has six schools with nearly 20 000 people, over 400 of which are professors. Our campus is located in Espoo, Finland. School of Engineering is an international unit with nearly 70 talented professors and 3400 full-time students, including doctoral students.
Aalto University School of Engineering, Department of Built Environment invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Remote Sensing of Forests
Project description: Aalto Remote Sensing Research Team, led by prof. Miina Rautiainen, has a vacancy for a highly talented and motivated postdoc to work in a research project funded by the Academy of Finland (2022-2024).
The consortium project “Artificial Intelligence for Twinning the Diversity, Productivity and Spectral Signature of Forests” brings together experts of digital twins and remote sensing (VTT), forest sciences and statistical analyses (Natural Resource Institute Finland), and artificial intelligence (AI) and vegetation spectroscopy (Aalto University). During the project, the consortium will work together to develop novel methods to quantify and monitor forests’ structural and spectral variation by applying AI-based algorithms to interpret Earth observation data at multiple spatial scales. The task of the postdoc is to characterize the diversity of spectral signatures of boreal forests caused by variation in forest structure and spectral properties of forest elements (e.g., leaves, understory vegetation).
The candidate must have high motivation and aptitude for research and must enjoy working as part of a team. Applicants should have a doctoral degree in remote sensing, geoinformatics, geography, forest sciences, environmental science or a related subject. Solid expertise in vegetation spectroscopy, hyperspectral remote sensing and/or physically-based reflectance modeling of vegetation are required and need to be clearly outlined in the application documents. A driver’s license (valid in Finland) and a willingness to drive a van are needed during the field campaigns. Knowledge of forestry or forest ecology are an advantage. Fluent written and verbal communication skills in English are essential.
Research environment
The successful applicant will join a young and dynamic team of world-class researchers at Aalto University’s School of Engineering funded by the Academy of Finland and European Research Council. Aalto University is a public research university which was established in 2010 after a merger of three major Finnish universities. It is consistently highly ranked in the areas of science, art, technology and business. The University’s main campus is located in Espoo, approximately 15 minutes by metro from the center of Helsinki. Helsinki is a safe, clean, green capital city with a very high quality of life. Most Finns speak English fluently.
Salary, terms and conditions
Funding for the postdoc is available for a two-year period. The expected starting date is January 2023 or earlier.
The postdoctoral candidate will be expected to conduct field work independently or with a research assistant in forest areas in Finland, to conduct spectral data processing and analyses, to present at high-level scientific conferences, to publish in leading academic journals, to participate in the activities of Aalto Remote Sensing Research Team, and to assist prof. Rautiainen in teaching activities (max 5% of working hours).
The salary range, terms and conditions are based on a collective bargaining agreement among Finnish universities. The starting salary for postdoctoral researchers at Aalto University is currently around 3,700€ per month (gross) which may be gradually increased over time according to performance.
How to apply
All applications must include the following materials:
- Motivation letter with the applicant’s contact information and an indication of the preferred starting date (max 1 page)
- CV including details of all academic merits, and contact information for 2 persons who may be contacted to provide a character reference (max 3 pages)
- Complete list of publications
- An outline of the field work experience of the applicant (max 2 pages)
- Summary of the applicant’s doctoral thesis (max 1 page)
- Copy of the applicant’s doctoral degree certificate
All materials should be submitted in English in a single pdf-file (compiled in the order specified above). The application should be submitted through our online eRecruitment system (‘Apply’ below) before 11 September 2022. Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. Please note: Aalto University’s employees and visitors should apply for the position via our internal system Workday -> find jobs (not external aalto.fi webpage on open positions) by using their existing Workday user account. Aalto University reserves the right to leave the position open, extend the application period and consider candidates who have not applied during the application period.
Further information: Content-related questions about the vacancy may be directed via email to Miina Rautiainen (professor, miina.a.rautiainen@aalto.fi) while recruitment-related questions may be directed to Kirsi Kärkkäinen (HR Coordinator, using the email format firstname.lastname@aalto.fi).