PhD position: Animal Movement for Remote Sensing

PhD position: Animal Movement for Remote Sensing

March 20, 2018

PhD position

animal movement and remote sensing – exploring innovative in-situ data

This research project focuses on the analysis of animal movement tracks for deriving new, innovative remote sensing products. Novel methods or a new combination of established methods from movement ecology, remote sensing and machine learning should be combined in order to model relationships between behavior and the environment with the eventual aim of mapping environmental characteristics. Target entities are to be developed, but could encompass mapping land cover, land cover change or validating existing data sets, all based on movement and behavioral patterns. Once established, such information should be used to identify temporal or spatial anomalies in animal movement and analyze how these translate into environmental changes, potentially serving as early warning systems. A strong interest in novel remote sensing techniques and working with various types of spatial and temporal data sets such as movement tracks in an interdisciplinary environment is expected.

Requirements:

The successful candidate should have a strong expertise in remote sensing, spatial statistics, and handling of different sources of data. A sound knowledge in remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS) and programming (e.g., Python, R) is required. Applicants must hold a Master degree, and should be able to work independently. Organizational skills, high motivation and the willingness to work as part of a team within an interdisciplinary project are essential.

Experience in working with advanced spatial data analysis and mining methods (DL, ML) and working in an interdisciplinary environment is an advantage. The ability to collaborate with a range of partners as well as good English language knowledge, communication skills, and the capability to write scientific articles are expected.

Applications and working environment:

We offer state-of-the-art methodology and a stimulating research environment within an interdisciplinary, collaborative context. The position is limited to 3 years and is expected to start in October 2018, with salary according to TVöD (50%).
Application deadline is April 15th 2018.

The University of Wuerzburg is an equal opportunity employer, determined to increase the proportion of women in successful scientific careers, and particularly encourages women to apply. Preference will be given to disabled applicants with the same qualifications. Applications (cover letter with motivation, CV and certificates of degrees) or questions should be directed to:

Dr. Martin Wegmann

Email: martin.wegmann@uni-wuerzburg.de

Tel. 0931 31 83446

you may also like:

Contribution at SilviLaser Conference in Quebec

Contribution at SilviLaser Conference in Quebec

At SilviLaser 2025 in Québec City, PhD candidate Julia Rieder (EORC, University of Würzburg and staff member of EO4CAM) presented her work on "European Beech under Drought: Effects of Topography, Competition and Soil Water Availability." Her study uses LiDAR to reveal...

EORC at Remote Sensing Symposium in Darmstadt

EORC at Remote Sensing Symposium in Darmstadt

On 2 October 2025, Dr. John Friesen and Dr. Julian Fäth from the Earth Observation Research Cluster (EORC) at the University of Würzburg and staff members of EO4CAM took part in the symposium "Vom Orbit zur Entscheidung: Satellitenfernerkundung in der...

New Team Member at the EORC: Sonja Mass

New Team Member at the EORC: Sonja Mass

Sonja Maas joined the Earth Observation Research Cluster (EORC) in October 2025 as a research assistant for the EO4CAM project. After finishing her bachelor's degree in forestry, Sonja Maas enrolled in the EAGLE M.Sc. program at the University of Würzburg, where she...

EAGLE MSc Student Isabella Metz Wins Prestigious IFHS Student Award

EAGLE MSc Student Isabella Metz Wins Prestigious IFHS Student Award

We are delighted to share the exciting news that our MSc student Isabella Metz has been awarded the 2025 International Federation of Hydrographic Societies (IFHS) Student Award for her outstanding research on: “Analysis of Uncertainties for Error Detection and...

Josipa Subotic joined as a DBU fellow

Josipa Subotic joined as a DBU fellow

We are delighted to welcome Josipa Subotić to the Earth Observation Research Cluster as a DBU fellowship visiting researcher. Since September 2025, she has been working on her project “Detection of Snow Surfaces in the Alps Using Multispectral Satellite Images and...