Postdoc Researcher (m/f) in Soil Moisture Retrieval with Earth Observation data

Institute for Earth Observation

Eurac Research

Eurac Research is a leading interdisciplinary research centre nestled in the heart of the Alps. At the Institute for Earth Observation, we specialise in monitoring environmental processes in mountain regions using satellite and climate data. We manage extensive EO datasets and foster an international, collaborative environment.

The Role

The Biosphere & Hydrosphere Group is seeking a motivated Postdoctoral Researcher (within 3 years of PhD completion) to develop innovative workflows for the retrieval of soil moisture with Earth Observation data. You will play a key role in two major international initiatives:

• Horizon Europe ARGOS (Artificial Intelligence for real-time guidance of onboard SAR applications): Contributing to the development of soil moisture retrieval approaches for on‑board processing based mainly on SAR imagery and ancillary information.
• ESA SMEM (Soil Moisture Ensemble Method): Contributing to the European Space Agency’s project to detect soil moisture in complex terrain by exploiting synergy of satellite data (radar and optical), physical based models and deep learning approaches.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and maintain end‑to‑end EO data processing pipelines, from sensor calibration to the extraction of geophysical variables.
• Implement machine learning and image processing techniques to fuse optical and SAR data with in‑situ observations.
• Work closely with international partners to meet project deliverables for ARGOS and SMEM.
• Document code and workflows following FAIR principles.
• Publish findings in high‑impact journals and present research at international conferences.

Your Profile

Requirements

• Education: PhD in Remote Sensing, Environmental Engineering, Geoinformatics, Telecommunications, or a related field (obtained within the last 3 years).
• Technical Expertise: Solid experience in processing optical and SAR imagery and geospatial analysis.
• Programming: Proficiency in Python and/or R for EO data science (e.g., Xarray, PyTorch/Scikit‑learn).
• Methodology: Strong background in retrieval methodology and advanced machine learning.
• Soft Skills: Excellent communication skills, a collaborative mindset, and a desire to mentor junior researchers.
• Flexibility and motivation to learn new concepts.
• Very good English (spoken and written).
• Relocating to Bolzano.

Desirable

• Experience with hydrological models and approaches of soil moisture estimation from remote sensing.
• Familiarity with high‑performance computing (HPC) and/or cloud computing (openEO).

Why Join Us?

• Work on high‑stakes research projects with global impact.
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art EO data infrastructure.
• Living and working in Bolzano, a unique cultural hub at the gateway to the Dolomites.

Inclusive Hiring: If you meet most, but not all, requirements, we still encourage you to apply!

We offer:

• 1‑year contract with possibility of extension up to 3 years, based on mutual satisfaction, positive collaboration, and project budget availability.
• Gross annual salary ranging from 44,247.32 € to 46,566.16 €.
• Workplace location: Viale Druso, 1 – 39100 Bolzano.
• Benefits and work‑life balance: Eurac Research offers a welfare package designed to support employees’ well‑being and work‑life balance, contributing to a positive and inclusive working experience in an international research environment. The full and regularly updated list of benefits is available here.
• A supportive, international, and interdisciplinary research environment.
• State‑of‑the‑art technical facilities (soft‑ and hardware, communication tools).
• Professional development opportunities.
• Flexible working hours.
• Access to EURAC’s numerous scientific and cultural facilities and events.
• An attractive working place in a vivid city in the heart of the Alps with endless opportunities for skiing, hiking, climbing.

Employment conditions:

• Employment classification and applicable collective agreement: II level of the Italian National Collective Labour Agreement for the Tertiary/Commerce Sector.
• Gross annual salary range: the gross annual salary range is primarily linked to the advertised position, its requirements and expected level, and is defined according to Eurac Research’s internal remuneration framework. The candidate’s highest academic degree and any relevant professional experience documented in the CV are taken into account where applicable, but always within the salary range defined for the advertised position. The range also reflects whether the position is full‑time or part‑time.

For further information, please contact Paola Winkler.