PhD position in data collection in extreme environments. Early stage researcher

15 Apr 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Tallinn University of Technology

Department

School of Information Technologies, Department of Computer Systems

Research Field

Computer science
Mathematics
Environmental science
Engineering » Mechanical engineering

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Estonia

Application Deadline

30 Jun 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Tallinn)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

40

Offer Starting Date

1 Sep 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Tallinn University of Technology School of Information Technologies, Department of Computer Systems, Centre for Biorobotics offers a 4-year PhD position in information and communication technology. 
The proposed PhD thesis topic: "Development of Validation, Analysis, and Mapping models for data collection in Extreme Environments"
Supervisors: Researcher Laura Piho and Tenured Full Professor Maarja Kruusmaa (TalTech)

Project Overview
We invite applicants for a fully funded PhD position to contribute to cutting-edge research in data validation, analysis, and mapping for data collected in extreme environments. The main aim of this project is to develop state-of-the-art data analysis and mapping methods that are efficient, reliable, and near real-time. The successful candidate will play a key role in advancing methodologies for collecting, validating, and analyzing environmental data from challenging and hard-to-access environments (e.g., subglacial channels, underwater ecosystems, and abandoned mines). This project will concentrate on environmental data collected using various sensors and robot platforms designed and developed at the Center for Biorobotics at Tallinn University of Technology.

Research Focus
Collecting, processing and analysing environmental data from extreme environments is crucial for various scientific and industrial disciplines, such as coastal monitoring, seabed analysis and mapping, monitoring rivers for extreme water, levels and managing water supplies, predicting extreme weather events, evaluating flooding and rising sea level, estimating the speed of which glaciers, ice caps and snow fields disappear. However, the conventional approach of validating and analyzing this data post-experimentally poses significant challenges, including time delays and potential data loss. The goal of this project is to address these challenges by designing and implementing real-time data validation and analysis methods and algorithms, allowing for better insights and decision-making during data collection campaigns. This project gives a great opportunity to dive into the world of mathematical models, machine learning, multimodal sensing, and data-fusion, with the goal to increase good quality data collection through adaptive sampling, validated critical environmental datasets, and increase accuracy of the collected data.

Key Objectives:

• Develop robust data validation methods that can be implemented on-the-field in extreme environments
• Design efficient and accurate data analysis techniques and algorithms tailored for real-time application
• Accelerate the data analysis process to enable quicker knowledge extraction and sharing

Requirements

Research Field

Computer science

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Mathematics

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Environmental science

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Engineering » Mechanical engineering

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Other

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Prospective candidates should:

• Hold a Master's degree in a relevant field, such as Data Science, Mathematics, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Mechanical Engineering, Control, or a related discipline 
• Have a keen interest in the topic and capacity to work both independently and as part of an international team
• A capacity and willingness to aid in organizational tasks relevant to the project
• Good writing and analytical skills. Good written and spoken English. (B2 or equivalent)

Following qualification will be beneficial:

• Scientific computing
• Strong programming skills (Python, C++ , etc.). Familiarity with pandas, scipy, tensorflow
• Experience with embedded systems and microcontrollers
• Experience in developing real-time data processing algorithms 
• Working with environmental data will be considered advantageous

Specific Requirements

Information about doctoral studies, including additional required documents needed for application (transcripts, language certificates etc.) can be found at : https://taltech.ee/en/phd-admission

Required application documents:

• detailed CV
• a cover letter outlining their research interests and relevant experience
• degree certificates as required by the university
• copy of the passport
• contact details for two referees

 For more information about the application process, contact [email protected]

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Additional Information
Benefits

We offer: 

• 4-year PhD position in a bioinspired robotics groups in Estonia with 10+  years’ experience in international and national funded projects
• Chance to do high-quality research in one of the most challenging fields of environmental monitoring
• Opportunities for conference visits, research stays and networking with various cooperation partners
• The university employs the Early Stage Researcher with a salary meeting or exceeding the average wage in Estonia (1828€ gross)

Additional comments

About the Centre for Biorobotics
The Centre for Biorobotics specializes in research and development of underwater robotics and sensing. We are focusing on using bioinspired sensing methods in combination with conventional tools to improve situational awareness and navigation performance of our robots. Apart from robotics, we are also applying bioinspired sensing methods in water flow sensing in natural environments (rivers, coast etc.) and develop methods to investigate extreme flows including sub-glacial flows, rivers etc.

Our core competences are as follows: 

•  Mapping and navigation of unstructured environments
• Development and manufacturing of underwater robotic platforms
• Robot locomotion and control in multiphase environments
• Underwater sensing with applications in natural environments

Some of our research activities include: 

• Distributed sensor networks for measuring and characterizing flow and turbulence
• Development of underwater sensor systems for safe navigation in harbors
• Measuring extreme flows including sub-glacial flows, rivers etc.
• Environmental sensors for monitoring and protection of critical infrastructure
• Developing new principles of locomotion using soft and compliant actuators
• Control and navigation of underwater robots in flow, surges, and waves
• Robot sensing in underwater environments

 PhD supervisors contact: [email protected] , [email protected]

Website for additional job details

https://taltech.glowbase.com/positions/748

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Tallinn University of Technology

Country

Estonia

City

Tallinn

Postal Code

12618

Street

Akadeemia tee 15A

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://taltech.glowbase.com/

Contact

City

Tallinn

Website

https://taltech.ee/en/phd-admission

Street

Akadeemia tee 15A

Postal Code

12618

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED