Doctoral student in Natural Science, specialising in Physical Geography: Remote Sensing of Arctic Landscape Change

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 58 000 students and 6800 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The Department of Earth Sciences has around 80 employees with 10-20 doctoral students. We have Bachelor and Master’s programmes in Earth Sciences and in Geography as well as a variety of PhD courses. Our research focusses on ecosystem sciences, climatology, and applied geoscience with a strong representation of Arctic science. For more information, see our website: Department of Earth Sciences

This PhD project will focus on the remote sensing of Arctic landscape change. It is funded by the department and will be embedded in the department’s graduate school, as well as local and international networks of Arctic scientists. General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's doctoral student pages: https://www.gu.se/en/doctoral-studies

Project Description

The Arctic is warming rapidly and landscapes in the region are undergoing profound ecological and hydrological changes, particularly at the highest latitudes. These changes have implications for the uniquely cold-adapted biodiversity of the Arctic and alter ecosystem function, influencing the Earth Systems through climate-feedbacks.

Two of the most widely studied processes of Arctic landscape change are “greening” and “wetting”, yet they are often studied separately using moderate-resolution satellite images and simple spectral indices such as the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). As a result, our understanding of how these processes interact 1) with each other, and 2) with simultaneous occurring changes in snow and bare ground, remains limited.

Leveraging drone data collected across the Arctic, a decade of multispectral satellite imagery from Sentinel-2, and recent advances in machine learning and AI, this PhD project will assess landcover change across the Arctic. The resulting data products will provide new insights into the coupled dynamics of Arctic landcover changes and their impact on ecosystem functioning, enabling a better representation of the Arctic in regional and global Earth System models.

Research group and setting

You will join a newly established research group at the Department of Earth Sciences led by Jakob Assmann (website). Although we are currently a small group, the vibrant Arctic research community across the Department of Earth Sciences and the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Gothenburg will provide ample opportunities for interactions with fellow PhD and Master's students conducting research in the Arctic.

In addition, you will benefit from extensive global research networks through established partnerships across Scandinavia, Europe, and North America, including the High Latitude Drone Ecology Network (HiLDEN) and the Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation Initiative (CAVI).

As a research group, we are committed to fostering an open, inclusive, and supportive research environment where scientific excellence goes hand in hand with personal wellbeing and a healthy work-life balance.

Tasks and Duties

Doctoral studies at the Department of Earth Sciences comprise of four years of full-time study leading to a doctoral degree.

As part of this position, you will:

• Conduct independent research within the framework of the project.
• Process and analyse multi-source remote sensing data, including drone and satellite imagery.
• Develop advanced analytical approaches to understand Arctic landscape change that build on recent innovations in machine learning and AI.
• Lead, and contribute to, written scientific publications and presentations at national and international conferences.
• Collaborate with project partners, members of the research group and department.
• Participate in doctoral courses and other activities required for completion of the doctoral degree.
• Contribute to departmental duties such as teaching (details below).

It is expected that the successful applicant contributes to the departmental duties with a maximum amount of 20% of their full-time employment over the period of study. Any amount of completed departmental duties will result in a corresponding extension of the study period. Departmental duties may include teaching at the undergraduate level or higher, as well as administrative duties.

If desired, the project may include the possibility to collect drone data in the Arctic, but the candidate will have to secure the additional funds required through external scholarships and funding opportunities (guidance will be provided).

Eligibility

The candidate must meet the general eligibility requirements for third-cycle education in Sweden and the specific requirements for doctoral studies in Natural Sciences specialising in Physical Geography at the University of Gothenburg.

For the general requirements, the candidate must have:

1. a second-cycle degree (e.g., a master’s degree), or
2. fulfilled the requirements for courses totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or
3. acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad.

For the specific entry requirements, the candidate must have:

1. a second-cycle degree (e.g., a master’s degree), in a relevant* subject area in the natural sciences, or
2. have completed studies for at least 60 higher education credits at a second-cycle level in relevant* subject areas in the natural sciences, or
3. have completed a corresponding programme of relevance* to the planned third-cycle programme, in Sweden or in another country, or have equivalent qualifications.

*Relevant subjects include (physical) geography, Earth sciences, environmental science, physics, and related fields.

If you are near the completion of your second cycle degree (e.g., master’s studies) you may apply if you intend to complete the degree before the start date of the position.

Assessment criteria

The assessment will be based on the candidate's academic achievements, relevant disciplinary background, and demonstrated potential to conduct independent, high-quality research within the framework of the project.

The successful candidate will bring:

1. A strong interest in applying state-of-the-art remote sensing and data science to improve our understanding of Arctic change.
2. Solid foundations in either:
   • remote sensing, or
   • data sciences
3. Excellent coding skills, for example, in Python or R.
4. Strong proficiency in written and spoken English.

The following experiences and skills are an asset:

• Experience in machine learning, including deep learning and AI.
• Previous work with foundation models or their embeddings, for example, in remote sensing or for time-series analysis.
• Previous work with satellite and drone data.
• Experience handling large (spatial) datasets.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS), for example, QGIS or ArcGIS.
• Fieldwork experience.

Admission and employment

Type of employment: Temporary employment

Extent of employment: 100%

Location: Department of Earth Sciences, Medicinaregatan 7B, 413 90 Göteborg, Sweden

First day of employment: 2027-04-01 or later upon agreement.

Salary: The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students.

The provisions for employment as a doctoral student can be found in ordinance SFS1993:100.

Once you have been admitted for education at third-cycle level, you will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg. Initial employment as a doctoral student may apply for a maximum of one year, and may be renewed by a maximum of two years at a time.

A doctoral student may be employed as a doctoral student for a maximum of eight years, but the total period of employment may not be longer than the equivalent of full-time education at third-cycle level for four years.

Please note, doctoral studies at the Department of Earth Sciences require physical presence to conduct the studies. If the admitted applicant needs a residence permit for higher education to pursue studies in Sweden, the Department has the right to revoke the admission decision if the applicant cannot present a valid residence permit no later than at the start of the studies.

Contact information

Jakob Assmann, Associate Senior Lecturer: jakob.assmann@gu.se

Hans Linderholm, Head of Department: hansl@gvc.gu.se

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/en/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply-for-a-position#collective-agreement-and-union-representatives

Application

You can apply to be admitted for education at third-cycle level via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per this notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.

The application should be written in English and include:

• A cover letter (maximum two pages) describing your motivation for applying, relevant qualifications, previous research experience, and how your interests align with the project.
• A Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Relevant higher education certificates and a transcript of courses with grades
• A copy of your Master thesis (or equivalent)
• Contact information for two references

You may include other documents that you deem relevant to the application.

The top ranked candidates will be selected for an interview, which will be held in English.

Applications must be received by: 2026-12-18

Information for International Applicants

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit:

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services

https://www.movetogothenburg.com/

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations. Salaries are set individually at the University. In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed. In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.