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A fully funded PhD position in Soil Erosion Monitoring and Remote Sensing is available at the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at KU Leuven, located in Leuven, Belgium. The application deadline is March 16, 2026.
Research Focus: Soil Erosion Indicators and Satellite-Based Monitoring
This doctoral project is part of the EU-funded EUROSION initiative, which aims to develop a dynamic monitoring system for assessing soil erosion trends across Europe. The research focuses on:
- Monitoring soil erosion indicators at high temporal and spatial resolution
- Assessing vegetation sensitivity to erosion processes
- Characterizing field boundaries and runoff connectivity
- Modelling sediment transport at hillslope and catchment scales
- Integrating optical and radar satellite data from Copernicus platforms
The selected candidate will work on developing field-scale erosion indicators, combining multi-temporal satellite imagery with ground-based validation data. These indicators will support:
- Trend analysis of landscape sensitivity to erosion
- Dynamic process-based soil erosion modelling
- Modelling erosion caused by water, wind, and agricultural tillage
This PhD integrates remote sensing, GIS analysis, spatial modelling, and environmental process modelling, contributing to continental-scale soil sustainability research.
Academic Environment and Research Collaboration
The Division of Geography and Tourism at KU Leuven has a strong international reputation in:
- Soil erosion quantification
- Sediment flux modelling
- Vegetation and rainfall dynamics analysis
- Gully erosion modelling at continental scales
The EUROSION consortium includes 24 research institutes from 12 European countries, offering the PhD candidate extensive international collaboration opportunities.
Candidate Profile and Eligibility
Applicants should hold (or be near completion of) a Master’s degree in:
- Geography
- Earth Sciences
- Soil Science
- Bioscience Engineering
- Agricultural Sciences
- Remote Sensing
- Or a related discipline
Preferred qualifications include:
- Strong interest in soil erosion research
- Experience with remote sensing data analysis
- Expertise in GIS and spatial datasets
- Python scripting skills
- Knowledge of spatial modelling of earth surface processes
- Excellent English communication skills
The ideal candidate is proactive, independent, motivated, and research-oriented.
Employment Conditions and Teaching Responsibilities
- Full-time doctoral scholarship for four years
- Location: Leuven, Belgium
- Approximately 10% teaching contribution (practical sessions, field trips, and thesis supervision)
- Collaboration with international EU research partners
Leuven offers a vibrant academic environment with a large student population and close proximity to major European cities such as Brussels, Antwerp, Paris, Amsterdam, and Cologne.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- Detailed CV
- Academic transcripts (Bachelor’s and Master’s)
- Motivation letter
- Three relevant international research papers (with short justification for each selection)
- Contact details of two academic referees
Applications must be submitted by March 16, 2026 through the official recruitment system.
Apply now at : KU Leuven Vacancies | PhD position on monitoring soil erosion indicators using remote sensing
