Description
MSCA-PF 2025 opportunity at University of Extremadura (Spain): “Earth Observation for Flood Warning (EOFLOWAR)”
Main Supervisor: Dr. Elia Quirós Rosado (Full Professor)
Dr. Elia Quirós Rosado is an Associate Professor at the University of Extremadura (UEx) and a leading researcher in Geodesy, Cartography, Photogrammetry, and Earth Observation (EO), with a focus on hydrological and environmental applications. She earned her PhD in Industrial and Graphic Technologies (2009) and has since built an internationally recognized profile at the intersection of remote sensing, GIS, and climate risk management.
Key Achievements
Extensive Publication Record: Author of over 50 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals (e.g., Science of the Total Environment, Remote Sensing, ISPRS Journal), book chapters, and conference proceedings. Her work spans SAR flood mapping, LiDAR data processing, and GIS-based hazard modeling.
Associate Editor: Active role as Associate Editor of the European Journal of Remote Sensing (Q2, Scopus-indexed), contributing to the advancement of EO methodologies and fostering interdisciplinary research.
Grant Capture: Principal Investigator (PI) or key participant in 12+ competitive projects, including:
POCTEP Early Warning Networks (EU Interreg): Developing cross-border (Spain-Portugal) EO systems for climate-induced hazards (floods, droughts).
ESA-funded initiatives: Exploiting Sentinel-1/2 data for emergency response.
National R&D projects: Collaborations with Hydrographic Confederations and Civil Protection agencies to translate EO research into policy.
Supervision & Training: Successfully supervised 40+ MSc/BSc theses / PhD dissertations, with a strong emphasis on applied geospatial technologies. Current PhD candidates include international researchers (e.g., Iran, Latin America).
Research Leadership
Dr. Quirós bridges fundamental and applied science through:
EO Infrastructure Development: collaborating in the coordination of a Sentinel-1 direct download station owned by the regional government of Extremadura essential for real-time flood monitoring in southwest Europe).
Stakeholder Engagement: Regular collaboration with public agencies (e.g., Spanish Ministry of Ecological Transition) and EU networks (AET, ESA).
Editorial & Peer Review: Committed to strengthening EO science through her editorial role and reviews for Remote Sensing of Environment, IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, and others.
Key Research Interests
Satellite Remote Sensing (SAR, multispectral)
Hydrological & Environmental Applications of EO
LiDAR data processing
GIS-based hazard mapping and spatial modeling
Urban and rural resilience to climate impacts
What we offer (Research support):
Research facilities
As a host institution for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellows, the University of Extremadura (UEx) offers access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and a stimulating research ecosystem. Our facilities are especially suited for interdisciplinary research in Earth Observation, GIS, hydrology, and environmental modeling.
Earth Observation & Geospatial Technology (in collaboration with regional government of Extremadura)
Sentinel-1 Direct Download Station (One of only two stations of its kind in the Iberian Peninsula, providing near real-time access to raw SAR data from Sentinel-1). Enables rapid data acquisition for flood monitoring and emergency response.
Spectral Virtualisation Lab
Equipped with:
Terrestrial and Aerial LiDAR scanners
Spectral cameras
UAV platforms with customizable sensor payloads
High-Performance Computing (HPC)
Access to regional HPC infrastructure for large-scale modeling and satellite image processing (e.g., flood simulations, hydrodynamic modeling).
Institutional Support & Ecosystem
UEx also participates in the POCTEP Early Warning Networks project, led by Dr. Quirós, focused on remote sensing for climate-induced hazards. The project strengthens cross-border cooperation with Portuguese environmental and scientific authorities, providing a unique platform for applied EO research and policy impact.
Networking possibilities & external relations:
The University of Extremadura and Dr. Elia Quirós Rosado offer excellent opportunities for international collaboration and scientific networking, crucial for the success of any MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship:
Member of the Board of Directors of the Spanish Association of Remote Sensing (AET), with active involvement in national and international EO communities.
International teaching and research mobility experience in Sweden, Italy, Germany, Slovakia, and Scotland.
Joint supervision of international theses, including a current PhD candidate from Iran, and co-authorships with researchers from Europe and Latin America.
Participation in ESA-funded projects and collaboration with international and regional institutions on flood risk, EO, and sustainability.
Affiliation with the Indehesa Institute and close links with public bodies (e.g., Civil Protection, Hydrographic Confederations), enhancing applied research impact and stakeholder engagement.
Additionally, Dr. Quirós coordinates the POCTEP project on Early Warning Systems for climate change-related risks, a Spanish-Portuguese initiative that deepens scientific exchange and regional capacity-building across the Iberian Peninsula.
Project idea/position (scientific requirements, topic, discipline):
The proposed research project, EOFLOWAR (Earth Observation for Flood Warning), aims to develop an early warning system for flood risk management by integrating real-time Earth Observation (EO) data, hydrometeorological measurements, and hydrological/hydraulic models. The system will be piloted in Spain and adapted to flood-prone areas in other area. The fellow will also benefit from synergies with the POCTEP cross-border project on Early Warning Systems for climate-related risks, coordinated by Dr. Quirós in the UEx, and involving Spanish and Portuguese institutions, which reinforces the regional dimension and applied scope of the EOFLOWAR research.
The fellow will contribute to:
Processing and analyzing SAR and optical satellite data (Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2)
Developing or improving flood detection algorithms
Integrating EO with hydrological/hydraulic models
Conducting spatiotemporal risk analysis using GIS
Contributing to validation, stakeholder engagement, and dissemination
Scientific fields involved:
Remote Sensing / Earth Observation
Hydrology and Water Resources
Environmental and Geospatial Sciences
Disaster Risk Reduction
GIS and Spatial Modeling
Required profile:
PhD in remote sensing, geospatial science, hydrology, or related field
Experience with SAR/optical data and EO platforms (e.g., SNAP, Google Earth Engine, ESA tools)
Familiarity with flood modeling, GIS, Python/R, or spatial statistics is desirable
Strong motivation for applied interdisciplinary research with societal impact
HOSTING OFFER
Our preference would be to participate in a European Fellowship application.
The University of Extremadura (UEx) and Dr. Elia Quirós Rosado invite outstanding postdoctoral researchers to apply for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA-PF-2025) under the European Fellowship scheme. This hosting offer is designed for researchers who wish to develop their project EOFLOWAR (Earth Observation for Flood Warning) within our dynamic research environment, benefiting from UEx’s cutting-edge facilities, interdisciplinary expertise, and strong European/international networks.
Collaboration with Dr. Quirós’ ongoing projects (e.g., POCTEP Early Warning Networks) ensures policy-relevant impact and integration into a well-established research ecosystem.
The fellowship will strengthen the candidate’s profile through international networking (AET, ESA collaborations, EU partnerships) and career development (supervision, grant writing support, and academic mobility opportunities).
Furthermore, you should:
- Have a PhD degree at the time of the deadline for applications (Sep 10th 2025).
- At the call deadline, you must not have more than 8 years full-time equivalent experience in research, measured from the date of award of the doctoral degree
- Have not been in Spain for more than 12 months in the 3 years before the call deadline.
- Your profile should comply with the requirements identified in the call. Please, visit the call text and read requirements carefully.
Documents to be submitted and deadline:
Applicants should submit an Expression of Interest and his/her CV latest until June 4th 2025, to amelia.aguilar@fundecyt-pctex.es with subject line MSCA-PF-2025 – UEX EOFLOWAR
