Postdoctoral position in Water Resources Engineering

Lund University, Faculty of Engineering, Building & Environmental Technology 

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 47 000 students and more than 8 800 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

Description of the workplace

The current position will be placed in the Division of Water Resources Engineering, Department of Building and Environmental Technology. Here, research and teaching pursue the understanding of how water resides and is transported in nature and urban systems from an engineering perspective. This includes but is not limited to, comprehension and modeling of the components of the hydrological cycle as well as geospatial modeling of water quality and quantity in both urban and rural setting. At the division, there are about 35 employees and around 20 Ph.D. students. The current position is within the Remote Sensing and AI in Hydrology research group.

The Department of Building and Environmental Technology has a stimulating and international environment consisting of Ph.D. students, postdocs, and teachers from many parts of the world. Here, research and teaching take place in an open and progressive climate with challenges and collaborations both within academia and with industry partners, both nationally and internationally. The work environment is characterized by commitment, collaboration, creativity, and personal responsibility.

Subject and project description 

The Remote Sensing and AI in Hydrology research group within the Division of Water Resources Engineering pioneers the integration of diverse remote sensing data with advanced artificial intelligence to enhance the understanding and modeling of the hydrological cycle. Our work employs a multi-platform approach, combining measurements from ground-based sensors and satellite constellations (e.g., optical, radar, and gravimetry) to capture hydrological variables across multiple scales.

In September 2025, the group launched SWIFT, a research project funded by the Middle East in the Contemporary World (MECW) programme at the Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (CMES), Lund University. This multidisciplinary project involves partners from the Faculty of Engineering and the Lund School of Economics. Its main objective is to reconstruct hydrological baselines and quantify climate- and conflict-driven impacts on surface water and groundwater in conflict-affected regions of the Middle East, using satellite data processing (InSAR and altimetry) and artificial intelligence.

Work duties

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position includes the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning. The purpose of the position is to develop the independence as a researcher and to create the opportunity of further development. 

The appointee will integrate Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) data, which detects ground deformation as a proxy for groundwater changes, with radar altimetry data tracking surface water variations. AI models analyze complex surface water-groundwater feedback loops, simulate future scarcity under climate, land use, and conflict scenarios, and identify conflict impacts on water resources depletion and recover. 

Other descriptions of the work duties are:

• Research within the subject area as mentioned above
• Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students
• Collaboration with industry and wider society
• Administration related to the work duties listed above

Qualification requirements 

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a Ph.D., or an international degree deemed equivalent to a Ph.D. within the subject of the position. The certificate proving the qualification requirement is met must be received before the employment decision is made. Priority will be given to candidates who have graduated no more than three years ago before the last day for application. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English. 
• Independence and ability to collaborate within and outside academia. 
• Having Ph.D. in Water Resources Engineering, Remote Sensing, Data Science, or relevant subjects.
• Proved experience in researching the application of artificial intelligence in hydro-environmental problems.
•  Proficiency in programming languages such as MATLAB, Python, etc.

Assessment criteria 

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers. Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Teaching skills. 

Other qualifications

• Experience and research on hydro-environmental topics in the Middle East and knowledge of remote sensing of land surface defromation (e.g., InSAR) and surface water level are considered advantageous.

Consideration will also be given to how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. 
Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee.

Further information

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of two years starting as soon as possible. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”).

How to apply

Applications are to be submitted via the University’s recruitment system. The application should include a CV with a list of publications and a personal letter justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications.The application should also include a degree certificate or equivalent and any other document to which you would like to draw attention (copies of grade transcripts, details of referees, letters of recommendation, etc.)”  

We welcome your application. 

LTH is Lund University’s Faculty of Engineering. At LTH we educate people, build knowledge for the future and work hard for the development of society. We create space for brilliant research and inspire creative advancements in technology, architecture and design. We have nearly 10,000 students. Every year, our researchers – many of whom work in world-leading profile areas – publish around 100 theses and 2 000 scientific findings. In addition, many of our research and degree projects are transformed into innovations. Together we explore and create – to benefit the world.

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