PhD Candidate in Geospatial Data Science and Environment with a focus on AI and ML (f/m) - Ref:25-12

The Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER)

is recruiting a

PhD Candidate in Geospatial Data Science and Environment with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (f/m)

• Ref: 25-12
• Fixed-term working contract at LISER for 36 months (extendable up to 48 months maximum)
• Full-time, 40 hours/week
• Department: Urban Development and Mobility (UDM)
• Registration in the PhD program at the University of Luxembourg
• Work location: Belval (Luxembourg)
• Deadline: 30th June 2025

Project description

Inspiration

Air pollution is continuing to rise. It harms human health, crops and species, and will harm forest trees in the coming decades (up to 2040 and beyond). Despite this, the exposure of forest trees to ozone (O3) and methane (CH4) has not yet been evaluated in Luxembourg at a fine spatial and temporal scale.

Innovation

The objectives of FORFUS-RT3.3 are: (a) to quantify O3 and CH4 across Luxembourg at a very fine spatial (e.g. 100m) and temporal resolution (daily/monthly), (b) to assess the temporal and spatial distribution and identify hotspots of O3/CH4 pollution in forested areas across Luxembourg, (c) to create a geospatial database of O3/CH4, crops, and (dead) forest trees by combining different complementary sources of information (e.g. remote sensing, satellite imagery, LiDAR, orthophotomaps), and (d) to build a decision support system (Dashboard) to evaluate the exposure of forests to O3/CH4 and thereby stakeholders in developing public policies to protect forests.

Impact

The scientific knowledge generated in this project will help identify the exposure of forest trees to air pollution, and overall, the causes of tree death. The understanding and methods developed as part of the project are expected to be useful for similar studies at different sites around the world, in order to provide a policy recommendation (action plan) for mitigating forest exposure to air pollution. In a nutshell, we will contribute to: (a) increasing scientific knowledge by sensing the environment in a new way using mobile-based technology (satellite S5P) and fixed-based sensor network (field work), (b) societal impact by developing a dashboard DSS tool for stakeholders and the research community, and (c) a new data input for the PRIDE-DTU, as well as to the national digital twin initiative.

Your role

In this context, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Developing datasets on forest tree health and air pollution using satellite data (Sentinel 1, 2, 5P) ;
• Investigating the causes of tree mortality in Luxembourg’s forested areas ;
• Assessing the exposure of forest trees to air pollution ;
• Disseminating research findings and actively contributing to departmental research activities.

Your profile

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Remote Sensing, Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or Geography ;
• Strong proficiency in Python is required ;
• Knowledge of remote sensing, GIS, and Copernicus data is a plus ;
• Excellent command of English.

LISER particularly encourage female applicants to apply

What we offer

• A dynamic and international research environment with attractive working conditions and a stimulating work environment ;
• Flexibility in the organisation of the working hours and the possibility of teleworking ;
• Competitive remuneration according to the Collective Labour Agreement in force (meal vouchers, etc.) ;
• Investment in career support and development (trainings, seminars, participation to international meetings and conferences) ;
• 32.5 days of annual leave for a full-time contract.

How to apply

Please submit your complete application in English via https://jobs.liser.lu/jobs by including the following documents :

• Curriculum vitae ;
• Motivation letter ;
• Recent piece of research ;
• Copy of your last obtained diploma ;
• Two reference letters (to be uploaded with the application documents or sent separately to recruitment@liser.lu).

Deadline to submit applications: June 30th, 2025

Would you have any work-related question, please contact Dr. Hichem OMRANI at hichem.omrani@liser.lu  

For administrative matters, please contact Mrs. Vanya KIROVA at recruitment@liser.lu

Why LISER

LISER is a publicly funded research institute located in Luxembourg and dedicated to applied empirical research in economic, social and spatial sciences. The Institute attracts top researchers from all over the world and high-level student training is a vibrant part of the Institute’s activities. LISER staff consists of approx. 200 employees, about 60% of the staff being researchers; mainly from the fields of economics, geography and sociology. The vision of the institute is to be a socio-economic research institute internationally recognised, focused on scientific excellence and societal impact, able to contribute through multi-disciplinary and intersectoral research, in an active and inclusive way to a sustainable and inclusive society at national and international level.

The institute is located on the new Belval campus in the south of Luxembourg (Cité des Sciences, Luxembourg), which hosts the University of Luxembourg and a substantial part of the country’s publicly funded research facilities, i.e. LISER, the Luxembourg Income Study (LIS) cross-national data centre, the Luxembourg institutes of Health (LIH) and of Science and Technology (LIST). Information on research in Luxembourg is accessible via the national EURAXESS platform.

LISER is an Equal Opportunity Employer