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Position
PhD Position: Quantifying and Reducing Uncertainty in Microwave-Link-Based Water Vapor Retrieval
Employer
Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Civil Engineering
Homepage: https://hydraulika.fsv.cvut.cz/en
Location
Prague, Czechia
Sector
Academic
Relevant divisions
Atmospheric Sciences (AS)
Hydrological Sciences (HS)
Type
Full time
Level
Student / Graduate / Internship
Salary
Funding combines a CTU PhD stipend with a 0.9 FTE project researcher salary, together corresponds to an average Czech salary.
Required education
Master
Application deadline
Open until the position is filled
Posted
24 August 2026
Job Description
See details at https://www.euraxess.cz/jobs/460317
The Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU), Department of Hydraulics and Hydrology, invites applications for a PhD position within the international project
Reconstructing 4D tropospheric water vapour distribution by combining observations from GNSS receivers and commercial microwave links (TROTOMO). The project investigates uncertainties in water vapor estimates from E-band commercial microwave links (CML) and GNSS receivers, and integrates both into local and regional tomographic models to improve urban-scale weather analysis and forecasting. The position offers close collaboration with Dr. Jan Kaplon (Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences) and Dr. Estera Trzcina and Prof. Witold Rohm (University of Wrocław), including short-term research stays in Poland.
Goals And Objectives
The candidate will lead the quantification and refinement of CML water vapor estimates, with strong involvement in data collection and cross-technique analysis. Key tasks include:
- Set up and maintain reference station instrumentation for the dedicated CML experiment; collaborate with Polish partners on UAV and GNSS field surveys and analyze the combined dataset
- Assess sources of uncertainty in CML water vapor retrieval against reference station, GNSS, and UAV profiling data
- Develop an uncertainty estimation model for CML retrieval suitable for sparse-reference-data conditions
- Investigate, with Polish partners, how differing error structures of CML and GNSS water vapor estimates can be exploited to reduce observation errors in both
- Validate the proposed approaches on city-scale and regional CML/GNSS datasets
- Contribute to assessing the effect of CML integration on the 4D water vapor field from tomographic reconstruction
Requirements
A recent MSc in applied mathematics, statistics, data analysis, signal processing, atmospheric physics, hydrology, meteorology, or a related field. Programming experience (Python or R preferred). Fluent written and spoken English. Willingness to engage in fieldwork (sensor deployment and maintenance) and to collaborate with partners during joint field campaigns.
Selection process
Duration And Start
3–4 year position, including short-term internships at partner institutes in Poland. Expected start date is January 1, 2027.
Benefits
- Funding combines a CTU PhD stipend with a 0.9 FTE project researcher salary, together corresponds to an average Czech salary. CTU PhD student status allows the candidate to take advantage of student benefits, including discounted housing in CTU dormitories.
- Full social and health insurance, 30 days of paid leave, subsidized meals, recreational and sports allowances, and health care programs.
- Access to CTU-operated children’s facilities, including a kindergarten and elementary school.
- Relocation assistance via the EURAXESS Czech Republic
How to apply
Submit a CV, a brief motivation statement, copies of academic qualifications, and contact details of two referees as a single PDF to
[email protected].
For further information, contact Dr. Martin Fencl (
[email protected]).
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