The PhD candidate hydrometeorology has to successfully carry out the recently granted PhD project "Deepening our understanding of shallow precipitation observations from space" funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research in the framework of the User Programme Space Research 2017-2019. Satellites from the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission are indispensable for providing nearly global coverage of precipitation information. The quality and sources of error of precipitation products from GPM will be quantified, and retrieval algorithms will be improved using this information. Microwave links from cellular communication networks will be used for further improvements. The project will be carried out in close collaboration with colleagues from the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI).

A completed MSc in hydrology, atmospheric sciences, (environmental) physics, (civil) engineering or related fields and affinity with the application of remote sensing in the field of hydrology and water management. Strong quantitative (programming) and communication skills (written and oral) are a prerequisite, as well as affinity with teaching and working with (BSc and MSc) students.

A position as PhD candidate for a period of 4 years with a salary from a € 2.325,- in the first year to € 2.972,- in the fourth year for a full working week of 38 hours in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities. An appointment of 32 hours is negotiable.
In addition, we offer:

• 8% holiday allowance;
• a structural year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• 232 vacation hours;
• a lively workplace where you can easily make contacts and where many activities take place on the Wageningen Campus. A place where education, research and business are represented.

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of our University is to explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life. Within Wageningen University & Research, nine specialised research institutes from the Wageningen Research Foundation and Wageningen University have joined forces to help answer the most important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With approximately 30 locations, 5,000 employees, and 10,000 students, it is one of the leading organisations in its domain worldwide. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of the unique approach of Wageningen.

The Hydrology and Quantitative Water Management (HWM) group focusses on understanding and prediction of hydrological processes in river basins and deltas for improved water management. HWM is part of the Environmental Sciences Group (ESG) of Wageningen University and Research Centre (WUR). ESG provides academic education and research on our living environment: the atmosphere, soil, water, nature, landscape and land usage. Knowledge is applied for adaptation to climate change, ocean management, competing claims on space, biodiversity and the sustainability of management and production.