The proposed topic aims at evaluating the effectiveness of satellite remote sensing techniques in monitoring hydrological basins. This includes assessing water resources, detecting changes in water bodies, predicting floods or droughts, and understanding climate change impacts on hydrological systems. The topic is multidisciplinary, covering remote sensing, hydrology, environmental science, and data analysis.The candidate will analyze the efficacy of various remote sensing techniques, including multispectral, hyperspectral, and synthetic aperture radar, with an emphasis on data fusion techniques. Key satellite missions (like Landsat, Sentinel, and MODIS), and sensors (e.g. optical, radar, and thermal) will be abalyzed and relevant imagery and remote sensing data will be sourced from NASA, ESA, and other providers.Selected techniques will be applied to specific hydrological basins to monitor changes over time. Time series satellite data will assess the impact of climate change on hydrological basins, evaluating correlations between hydrological parameters and environmental factors like land use, vegetation cover, and human activities.Expected outcomes include improved understanding of the capabilities and limitations of satellite remote sensing techniques for hydrological monitoring and the development of robust methodologies to support decision-making processes for hydrological basin management based on remote sensing insights.
The candidate should possess a robust background in Civil or Information Engineering. Essential attributes include strong motivational skills, the ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and stay driven in a research-intensive environment. Proficiency in satellite remote sensing, coupled with skills in data analysis and processing, is highly valued. A sound understanding of hydrology and the influence of climate on hydrological systems is highly valued too. Proficiency in programming languages like Python or MATLAB for advanced data modeling and analysis is an important requisite. Familiarity with GIS software and spatial data visualization tools would be advantageous.
The research team is composed of researchers from the University of Naples Federico II (UNINA) in close collaboration with the company Tecnion srl. The UNINA group boast consolidated and recognized expertise in the field of radar remote sensing, with a particular focus on applied electromagnetism and the analysis and processing of remotely sensed data from active (SAR) and passive (multispectral) systems. The research group has led or collaborated on research projects funded by national and international bodies (MiSE, MIUR, US ONR, ASI, European Union). This experience has created a productive environment with national and international contacts with the scientific community and industry.