3 PhD Positions, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium (2017)

The successful applicants will study forest degradation and its environmental impacts in the South American Chaco using satellite remote sensing and ground data. The Chaco ecoregion, stretching into parts of Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay, has experienced widespread land-use change with drastic outcomes for biodiversity and ecosystem service provisioning.

The three positions are embedded in an international research project focusing on “Continuous satellite-based indicators for mapping subtropical forest degradation and its environmental impacts (ReForcha)”, funded by the Belgian Science Policy through its research programme for earth observation STEREO III.

We seek three candidates with an above-average MSc (or equivalent degree) in Geography, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Soil Sciences, Forestry, Ecology, or related fields. We expect experience and a strong interest in land system science, forest ecology, and sustainability science. Required methodological skills include a sound background in remote sensing, geographic information systems, and spatial statistics. Experience in scripting languages (e.g., Python) and in R, as well as in forestry biometry methods is a plus. Experience with some modeling is a requirement for position 2. Spanish language skills are highly welcome. We also expect excellent command of the English language, good communication skills, and willingness to work in international research teams.

Further details:
http://academicpositions.eu