Doctoral student in Geoinformatics

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Geodesy and Geoinformatics

This position is part of the project MultigrainGIS: Grain-adaptive geographic data processing for ecological modeling (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s0wSsXd8OQN-xm1KOFVGHTNVOyLv8-OZ/view?usp=sharing), funded by the Swedish Research Council Formas.

The project addresses a core challenge in ecological modeling: many ecological processes—ranging from water flow and fire spread to animal movement and habitat fragmentation—operate at distinct “grains.” However, most geographic data and tools rely on predefined grids that may not align with these process-specific scales. This mismatch often leaves users no choice but to resample input data, which can reduce model accuracy, especially when modeling multiple processes that interact across different spatial scales. To address this, the project will develop a new class of raster data-processing methods that better reflect how ecological processes actually operate—without modifying the original input data. If successful, this approach will enhance how ecological models handle spatial variation and support more integrated, multi-scale modeling.

The position includes up to 20% departmental duties.

Supervision: Takeshi Shirabe is proposed to supervise the doctoral student. Decisions are made on admission

What we offer

• The possibility to study in a dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and prominent universities from all over the world.
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.
• A postgraduate education at an institution that is active and supportive in matters pertaining to working conditions, gender equality and diversity as well as study environment.
• Work and study in Stockholm, close to nature and the water.
• Guidance on relocating and settling in at KTH and in Sweden

Admission requirements

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a second cycle degree (for example a master's degree), or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or
• acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge

More specific requirements include:

• knowledge of landscape ecology and physical geography
• experience with raster-based models of ecological processes involving animals and plants across a range of spatial and temporal scales
• understanding of raster data processing including the theory and implementation of relevant algorithms
• programming skills in a compiled, strongly typed programming language such as C++ or Java

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6.

Selection

In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

• independently pursue his or her work
• collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach and
• analyze and work with complex issues.
• clearly demonstrate how their expertise and skills will contribute to the MultigrainGIS project, and
• show a strong commitment to regular, in-person presence in the department, recognizing that creativity and meaningful academic dialogue often emerge through informal conversations, spontaneous brainstorming, and day-to-day interaction on site.

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal skills. 

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years' time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. In the case of studies that are to be completed with a licentiate degree, the total period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for two years.

Union representatives

Contact information for union representatives.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

Contact information for doctoral section.

To apply for the position

Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process.

It may be the case that a position at KTH is classified as a security-sensitive role in accordance with the Protective Security Act (2018:585). If this applies to the specific position, a security clearance will be conducted for the applicant in accordance with the same law with the applicant's consent. In such cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved following the security clearance.

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Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

About KTH

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers and faculty from around the world. Our research and education covers a wide area including natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history and philosophy. Read more here