PhD in Agroecology

Department: Department of Physical Geography /nProject: "Physics-informed AI-modelling of land surface processes in a global hydrological model" as part of a large international project to improve the modelling of global water resources./nMain tasks: Improve the land surface representation of PCR-GLOBWB by including new soil and vegetation modules and an energy balance; use AI-based surrogates to speed up calculations and allow for better calibration of the land-surface modules to observations; work on improving the drought response of the vegetation in PCR-GLOBWB; compare model improvements to local and remotely sensed observations during extensive validation and sensitivity analysis./nTraining: A personalised training programme will be set up; about 20% of time dedicated to training, including assisting in Bachelor and Master programmes at Utrecht University./nLocation: Utrecht Science Park, Utrecht, Netherlands./nWorking week: 36 - 40 hours (1.0 FTE).