IoT-based solutions for real-time water resources monitoring and adaptive management

Over the past decade, the Internet of Things (IoT) has gained enormous interest both in the scientific and commercial sides. By expanding the traditional internet infrastructure, communication between machines, devices and even individual objects has been made possible. At the same time, the unit costs of sensors, processors, data storages and other digital equipment have dropped radically. In addition, energy density of electrical batteries has improved with the development of mobile phones and electric vehicles. All of this enables the development of completely new applications, also in the area of water management. Various kinds of spatially distributed inexpensive measurements and remote controls are possible. They can be used, for example, in groundwater level management, irrigation water storage, drainage and other such applications where the management of water resources is crucial. For example, smart solutions in agriculture can reduce environmental emissions and the ability of production to adapt to extreme weather phenomena such as droughts and floods. The above-mentioned features are important both on a local and global scale, as it is necessary to be able to react to the changes caused by climate change on a large scale.

This PhD position focuses on the project “IoT-based solutions for water management and monitoring”, aiming to develop devices, methods and systems that take an advantage of IoT-technologies. The target applications may include, but are not limited to agricultural water management, remote monitoring of groundwater level, and remote sensing of temperature profiles. The development work requires interdisciplinary technical expertise as the solutions incorporate mechanics, electronics, and information processing (programming). In this project, the feasibility of the developed solutions is proven by extensive laboratory and field experiments. The selected candidate will engage in a multidisciplinary research environment, collaborating with experts in engineering, hydrology, environmental science, and computer science. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a critical area of environmental research, with significant implications for climate adaptation strategies, disaster preparedness, and sustainable development.

The ideal candidate for this PhD project will possess a comprehensive academic background in fields such as mechatronics, electronics, or computer science, with a particular interest in the IoT-technology. Essential qualifications include mechanical and electronical design skills. Also, programming skills in languages like Python, R, or MATLAB are mandatory. Candidates should also demonstrate proficiency in using mechanical design (CAD) software. Exceptional communication and collaboration skills are vital as the project demands active participation in interdisciplinary research efforts.

Luke

Intelligent machines and systems research unit, University of Oulu

Enso Ikonen

Toni Liedes

Maarit Liimatainen (Luke)

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