Postdoctoral Researcher in Soil Moisture Retrieval Using Earth Observation Data at Eurac Research, Italy (2026)

Eurac Research, one of Europe's leading interdisciplinary research centers, is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher in Soil Moisture Retrieval with Earth Observation (EO) Data to join the Institute for Earth Observation in Bolzano (Bozen), Italy. This exciting opportunity focuses on satellite remote sensing, machine learning, hydrology, and environmental monitoring within two major international research initiatives funded by Horizon Europe and the European Space Agency (ESA).

Applications are open until 30 June 2026.

About Eurac Research

Eurac Research is an internationally recognized research institute located in the heart of the Italian Alps in Bolzano, South Tyrol. The Institute for Earth Observation specializes in:

• Satellite remote sensing
• Climate monitoring
• Environmental modelling
• Geospatial data analysis
• Mountain ecosystem monitoring

Researchers work in a highly international environment and manage extensive Earth Observation datasets used to address environmental and climate-related challenges worldwide.

About the Position

The successful postdoctoral researcher will join the **Biosphere & Hydrosphere Group** and contribute to the development of innovative methods for retrieving soil moisture using Earth Observation data.

The position combines:

• Remote sensing
• Artificial intelligence
• Machine learning
• Hydrological modelling
• Environmental monitoring
• Satellite data fusion

The researcher will work closely with international partners and contribute to the development of advanced EO applications with global relevance.

Major Research Projects

1. Horizon Europe ARGOS Project

Artificial Intelligence for Real-Time Guidance of Onboard SAR Applications

The ARGOS project focuses on developing innovative methods for processing Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data directly on satellites.

Key research activities include:

• Soil moisture retrieval from SAR imagery
• AI-based onboard processing
• Real-time environmental monitoring
• Integration of ancillary datasets

The project aims to enhance the efficiency and responsiveness of future satellite missions.

2. ESA SMEM Project

Soil Moisture Ensemble Method

This European Space Agency initiative focuses on detecting soil moisture in complex terrain using:

• Radar data
• Optical satellite imagery
• Physical-based modelling
• Deep learning techniques

The project aims to improve soil moisture estimation in mountainous and heterogeneous landscapes where traditional methods often struggle.

Main Responsibilities

The selected researcher will:

Develop EO Processing Pipelines

Design and maintain complete Earth Observation workflows from:

• Sensor calibration
• Data preprocessing
• Geophysical variable extraction

Implement Machine Learning Approaches

Apply advanced machine learning and image-processing methods to:

• Fuse SAR and optical imagery
• Integrate in-situ measurements
• Improve soil moisture estimation accuracy

Collaborate with International Partners

Work closely with project partners across Europe to achieve project goals and deliverables.

Ensure FAIR Data Practices

Develop reproducible and transparent workflows following:

• FAIR principles
• Open science practices
• Data management standards

Publish Scientific Research

Disseminate results through:

• Peer-reviewed journals
• International conferences
• Scientific workshops

Candidate Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Educational Background

PhD in:

• Remote Sensing
• Environmental Engineering
• Geoinformatics
• Telecommunications
• Earth Sciences
• Or a closely related discipline

The PhD should have been obtained within the last three years.

Required Technical Skills

Earth Observation Expertise

Strong experience with:

• Optical satellite imagery
• SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) data
• Geospatial analysis
• Environmental monitoring

Programming Skills

• Proficiency in: Python and/or R

• Experience with libraries such as: Xarray, PyTorch, Scikit-learn is highly desirable.

Methodological Knowledge

Strong background in:

• Retrieval algorithms
• Machine learning
• Data fusion techniques
• Geospatial modelling

Preferred Qualifications

Additional strengths include:

• Hydrological modelling experience
• Soil moisture estimation techniques
• High-Performance Computing (HPC)
• Cloud computing
• openEO platform experience

Candidates should also demonstrate:

• Excellent communication skills
• Team-oriented mindset
• Ability to mentor junior researchers
• Strong motivation to learn new concepts

Fluency in English is essential.

Salary and Benefits

Annual Gross Salary - €44,247 – €46,566 per year

The final salary depends on qualifications and relevant experience.

Contract Details

Contract Duration

• Initial contract: 1 year
• Possible extension up to 3 years

Extensions depend on:

• Project funding
• Research performance
• Mutual agreement

Workload: Full-time position

Location:  Bolzano (Bozen), Italy

Why Join Eurac Research?

The position offers several attractive advantages:

Cutting-Edge Research

Work on internationally significant projects funded by:

• Horizon Europe
• European Space Agency (ESA)

Advanced Infrastructure

Access to:

• State-of-the-art EO datasets
• High-performance computing resources
• Modern software and hardware platforms

Career Development

Opportunities include:

• Scientific networking
• Professional training
• International collaborations
• Conference participation

Outstanding Location

Bolzano offers a unique quality of life with:

• Easy access to the Dolomites
• World-class hiking
• Skiing opportunities
• International cultural environment

The city is widely regarded as one of the most attractive places to live and work in Europe.

Employee Benefits

Eurac Research provides:

• Flexible working hours
• Work-life balance support
• Welfare and wellbeing programs
• International work environment
• Scientific and cultural events
• Professional development opportunities

The institute promotes an inclusive and collaborative workplace culture.

Application Documents

Applicants should submit:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Cover Letter
• Relevant supporting documents

Applications must be submitted through the official online application system.

Important Dates

• Application Deadline -  30 June 2026

• Location : Bolzano (Bozen), Italy

• Institution: Eurac Research – Institute for Earth Observation

Why This Opportunity Is Important

This position sits at the intersection of several rapidly growing fields:

• Earth Observation
• Artificial Intelligence
• Remote Sensing
• Hydrology
• Climate Science
• Environmental Data Science

Researchers will gain experience working with some of Europe's most important environmental monitoring projects while developing expertise highly valued in both academia and industry.

The combination of satellite data, machine learning, and environmental applications makes this an outstanding opportunity for researchers interested in solving real-world environmental challenges.

Final Thoughts

The Postdoctoral Researcher position in Soil Moisture Retrieval at Eurac Research provides an excellent opportunity to work on cutting-edge Earth Observation technologies with direct applications in hydrology, climate science, and environmental monitoring.

With competitive funding, strong international collaborations, advanced computational infrastructure, and a spectacular Alpine location, this fellowship offers an ideal platform for early-career researchers seeking to advance their expertise in remote sensing and environmental data science.

Researchers with backgrounds in remote sensing, geospatial analysis, machine learning, and hydrological modelling should strongly consider applying.