Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Enhanced understanding of CarbOn and ground WAter Dynamics in European peatlands and their related Post Title: ecosystem services (ECO-WADE)
Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin
Trinity is Ireland’s leading university and is ranked 98th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2023). Founded in 1592, the University is steeped in history with a reputation for excellence in education, research and innovation. Located on an iconic campus in the heart of Dublin’s city centre, Trinity has 18,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students across our three faculties – Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; Engineering, Mathematics and Science; and Health Sciences. Trinity College Dublin is Ireland’s No.1 University (QS World University Ranking 2025, Times Higher Education Rankings 2022) Full details are available at:www.tcd.ie/research/about/rankings.
The School of Natural Sciences
The School of Natural Sciences is part of the Faculty of Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The School comprises the Disciplines of Botany, Geography, Geology and Zoology and is also home to two research centres, the Trinity Centre for the Environment and Nature+, as well as the new Co-Centre for Climate + Biodiversity + Water. The School is home to 50 academic staff, 31 professional support staff, 35 research staff. The School manages seven undergraduate and four taught master’s degree programmes and contributes to several other programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, catering to about 900 students collectively. The School of Natural Sciences is one of the first in Ireland to hold an Athena SWAN bronze award for addressing issues in gender inequality.
Homepage: https://www.tcd.ie/
Earth and Space Science Informatics (ESSI)
Hydrological Sciences (HS)
This post is tenable from July 1st, 2025. Research Fellows will be expected to reside in Ireland. Shortlisting will be completed in early May 2025. Candidates will be invited for an interview (using Zoom or in person) in late May, 2025. Expected Start date will be July 1st, 2025
The project is 18 months Post Doctoral Research (PDR) position funded by the Irish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The position is a part of the Water4All projectEnhanced understanding of CarbOn and ground WAter Dynamics in European peatlands and their related ecosystem services (ECO-WADE). The aim of the role is to use a combination of Earth Observation (EO) data, image processing and machine (deep) learning to 1. Collect and harmonize existing maps of artificial drainage, peatland extent, and land use from partner countries into a peatland inventory and 2. Utilise advanced GIS, cloud computing, and geospatial machine learning to model drain density at selected sites and maps land use on peatland across Europe.
The ECO-WADE project is a transdisciplinary project with collaboration across several EU countries including Ireland, the UK, The Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Estonia. The Principal Investigator is Dr. Julian Koch from the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS). The EPA-funded Irish element is co-led by Dr. John Connolly and Dr.Wahaj Habib (Trinity College Dublin). The Irish project team will also work very closely with partners across ECO-WAD,E particularly with Dr. Julian Koch GEUS.
Post Summary
The ECO-WADE project presents an exciting opportunity to work with geospatial and EO modelling approaches to create pan-European maps of land use on peatlands as well as drain density maps at several peatland sites.
Person Specifications
The successful candidate must hold a PhD in Geography, Environmental Science, Computer Sciences, Earth System Science or Geomatics.
Duties & responsibilities
Postdoctoral Researcher (PDR) must have specialist skills in GIS, remote sensing and machine learning. Experience in cloud-based geospatial analysis platforms and R or Phytonis essential. The PDR will be fully engaged in all aspects of the project, taking leadership in the acquisition of data, EPA SmartBog model application and development, mapping & map accuracy assessment and fieldwork where necessary. They will be responsible for bi-annual project reporting and presenting at steering committee meetings. In addition, they will engage with ECO-WADE partners and dissemination of research findings. The PDR will be given opportunities to enhance their reputation through publishing in top-quality journals and presenting at conferences, in collaboration with team members. Further, the Researcher will have an excellent opportunity to build a strong research network with internal and external stakeholders and academic partners/collaborators.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience (Essential):
- Experience in the application of geospatial technologies in the environmental domain including programming in Google Earth Engine or similar.
- Experience with the development of machine (deep) learning models within a Geospatial environment.
- Experience in the dissemination of the results of research in high-quality peer-reviewed journals and a track record of academic publications.
- Experience in presenting research findings at a national or international level
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work both independently and in support of a team with research, administrative and management tasks. Engage with stakeholders (from ECO-WADE partners to policymakers).
- Ability to think independently and to overcome difficulties in the research process.
- Experience in planning and execution of fieldwork and ability to complete project reports in a timely manner.
The ideal candidate should have:
- Detailed experience integrating geospatial data with machine learning algorithms.
- Knowledge of peatland ecosystems across Europe.
- Engage in the dissemination of the results of research with a track record of academic publications.
- Carry out administrative and management work associated with the research.
- Interface confidently with others and remain calm under pressure.
- Have a cooperative and responsive attitude that fosters positive working relationships.
- Work conscientiously, often to tight deadlines, and to write technical reports.
- Record, report and present data in a clear and organised manner.
- Show integrity and professionalism in the course of their work.
- Operate effectively and supportively as part of a team.
- Be flexible, shifting focus as and when required in a busy and changing work environment.
The PDR will work closely with Dr. John Connolly and Dr. Wahaj Habib at Trinity College Dublin, as well as with colleagues in the ECO-WADE consortium.
Further information:
Informal enquiries concerning the post should be addressed to John Connolly (John.Connolly@tcd.ie). Please put ECO-WADE PDR Query in the subject line.
Application Information
In order to assist the selection process, candidates should submit their Curriculum Vitae with the names and contact details of three referees and a two-page (maximum) cover letter to Dr. John Connolly: john.connolly@tcd.ie – subject heading: ECO-WADE PDR Application by 17.00, April 30th 2025
URL Link to Area:http://naturalscience.tcd.ie/
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