DLR-DAAD Doctoral Fellowship Nr. 453: Development of Algorithms for Global Soil Moisture Estimation using Multi-Paramteric Synthetic Aperture Radar Systems

Enter the fascinating world of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) and help shape the future through research and innovation! We offer an exciting and inspiring working environment driven by the expertise and curiosity of our 11,000 employees from 100 nations and our unique infrastructure. Together, we develop sustainable technologies and thus contribute to finding solutions to global challenges. Would you like to join us in addressing this major future challenge? Then this is your place!

Our Institute of Microwaves and Radar in Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich offers a

Nr. 453: Development of Algorithms for Global Soil Moisture Estimation using Multi-Paramteric Synthetic Aperture Radar Systems

What to expect:

Today we have mainly two global mission acquiring soil moisture values over land surfaces with a spatial resolution within 50-30 km and with a high temporal repeatability. These passive radiometer missions are important to provide some insight on the global evolution in soil moisture and are used as an input for climate models. However, the low spatial resolution does not allow distinguishing the local spatial patterns needed for local and regional insights. A further limitation is represented by the presence of vegetation which deeply influences the measurements.

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems, active radar sensors, can deliver products with a high spatial resolution (e.g 10-50 m) and, due to the multi-parametric acquisition; they allow separating the ground and the vegetation volume signal contribution. The isolation of the effective ground contribution is important for the

inversion of the multi-parametric measurements for soil moisture estimation. The objective of the proposed thesis is to develop innovative algorithms for soil moisture estimation from multi-parametric longer wavelengths SAR data for the derivation of high resolution products. For this, airborne data are available or can be renewed with new campaigns mimicking spaceborne sensors. The ultimate goal would be to implement the algorithms and the processes on spaceborne systems, as for example on the planned L-band mission.

Please send your complete application (cover letter including preferred starting date, curriculum vitae, current enrollment, current transcript of records from your University).

If you are passionate about advancing electrochemical systems and meet the qualifications, we would be delighted to receive your application.

What we expect from you:

What we offer:

DLR stands for diversity, appreciation and equality for all people. We promote independent work and the individual development of our employees both personally and professionally. To this end, we offer numerous training and development opportunities. Equal opportunities are of particular importance to us, which is why we want to increase the proportion of women in science and management in particular. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are qualified.

Further information:

Starting date: As soon as possible
Type of employment: Full-time

Dr.rer.nat. Irena Hajnsek

E-Mail: Irena.Hajnsek@dlr.de