The Water and Environmental Engineering research group of Aalto University (WAT), more precisely its fluvial dynamics research team (lead by Research Fellow and Assistant Professor Eliisa Lotsari), has a vacancy for a highly talented and motivated postdoctoral researcher, who is a specialist in coding, hydro-morphodynamic modelling and fluvial research. More specifically, the topic of the research would relate to bank erosion modelling and its development. The postdoc will work in close collaboration with two projects lead by Prof. Lotsari (Funded by MVTT and the Research Council of Finland). The research aims to determine the effects of changing bank erosion on Northern River systems based on new measurement and modelling approaches.
The postdoctoral researcher would overall concentrate on analyzing the hydro-morphodynamic changes in seasonally ice-covered river channels and participate in field measurements. In particular, the postdoctoral researcher would concentrate on parameterizing and developing the riverbank erosion modelling and its applications in seasonally frozen conditions (incl. hydraulics and sediment transport). The field data gathered from ice-covered and open-channel flow seasons in Finnish rivers would be applied for the refinement of the model parameterization, code and application approaches. The required equations and workflow for model development have been already planned within the projects, and therefore the person to be hired would be in particular working on devAeloping, coding and building the model and simulating the seasonal changes of erosion processes in Northern River systems.
Requirements
The position requires a strong theoretical background in fluvial research, and computational methods. Thus, applicants should have a doctoral degree in water and environmental engineering, hydrological sciences, environmental sciences, physical geography, or other relevant fields of science regarding fluvial research or computational methods. The successful candidate will have skills and experience in programming and development of models (using Python or other programming languages). Skills and experience in geoinformatics, quantitative analysis and computational fluid dynamics and their codes are considered assets.
The candidate must have high motivation and aptitude for research and must enjoy working as part of a team. Fluent written and verbal communication skills in English are essential. A driver’s license (valid in Finland) is needed during the possible additional field campaigns if more verification data for the models would be needed to gather with the research team. Thus, the candidate will have a chance in participating field work with a research team in (remote) river locations in Finland, and will need to analyze the gathered spatial data, and apply the data in model experiments. The candidate must be able to generate bright scientific ideas and propose new methodological solutions. We also expect the candidate to work independently, and write research funding proposals and scientific articles, and participate in teaching activities (max 5% of working hours). The candidate is also expected to present at high-level scientific conferences, to publish in leading academic journals, and to participate in the activities of Water and Environmental Engineering team.
Salary, terms, and conditions
Funding for the postdoc is available until the end of 2026 (i.e. for 2.5 years period). The expected starting date is earliest on 1st June 2024, and after that as soon as possible.
The salary range, terms and conditions are based on a collective bargaining agreement among Finnish universities. The starting salary for postdoctoral researchers at Aalto University is currently around 3900€ per month (gross) which may be gradually increased over time according to performance. The annual total workload of research and teaching staff at Aalto University is 1612 hours. The contract includes Aalto University occupational health care.
How to apply
The application should be submitted through our online eRecruitment system (press ‘Apply’ button at the end of the application page) the latest on Thursday 25 April 2024.
Kindly note that we will start to go through the applications and may also invite suitable candidates to interview already during the application period. The position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified: this can happen already before the application period closes. You are thus encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible.
Further information
Please see the full information and how to apply on the Aalto University application page.
