Modelling soil-water-vegetation interactions in African rice systems

Agricultural sciences » Tropical agriculture

Environmental science » Water science

Technology » Remote sensing

Organisation/Company KU LEUVEN Department Division of Soil and Water Management Research Field Agricultural sciences » Tropical agriculture Agricultural sciences » Soil science Agricultural sciences » Agronomics Engineering » Agricultural engineering Engineering » Water resources engineering Environmental science » Water science Technology » Remote sensing Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Final date to receive applications 11 Feb 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Country Belgium Type of Contract To be defined Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Feb 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number BAP-2026-68 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Rice production in African inland valleys plays a crucial role in local food security. However, these systems are increasingly challenged by climate variability, water scarcity, and competing land and water uses. Sustainable intensification of rice production requires a sound understanding of soil‑water‑vegetation interactions and their response to climate extremes and management choices. The EAU’RYZA project develops an integrated monitoring and modelling framework that combines multi-sensor remote sensing data, process‑based crop and hydrological models, and water accounting approaches to support sustainable rice production while safeguarding natural ecosystems in African inland valleys.

Within this project, the PhD student will primarily contribute to modelling and accounting for soil‑water‑vegetation interactions. The research focuses on integrating remote sensing data into crop and hydrological models to quantify climate impacts, water productivity, and catchment‑scale water balances in smallholder‑dominated rice production systems. The PhD research will include substantial fieldwork in Uganda, in close collaboration with African and Belgian project partners.

PhD research tasks
The successful candidate will:

• Develop and apply an integrated modelling framework combining multi‑sensor remote sensing with process‑based crop and hydrological models.
• Quantify climate impacts on rice productivity and water availability in African inland valley systems.
• Assess spatio‑temporal water productivity using remote sensing‑based evapotranspiration and crop models.
• Develop and test a catchment‑scale water accounting framework to support sustainable water allocation between rice production and natural ecosystems.
• Design and conduct field campaigns in Uganda for data collection (soil, crop, water, and management data) to support model calibration and validation.
• Publish research results in peer‑reviewed scientific journals and present findings at international conferences.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary collaboration within the EAU’RYZA consortium and support supervision of MSc thesis students.

We are looking for a candidate who meets the following criteria:

• You hold a Master’s degree in Bioscience Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Physical Geography, Hydrology, or a closely related field, with strong academic results.
• You have a strong interest in soil–plant–water processes, crop modelling, and sustainable water management.
• You have experience with or a strong interest in remote sensing, geospatial analysis, and/or environmental modelling.
• You have experience with or willingness to develop skills in open source programming and data analysis (e.g. R, Python, QGIS).
• You are motivated to conduct fieldwork in Uganda and to work in an international and intercultural research environment.
• You have strong analytical skills and a keen interest in scientific research.
• You communicate clearly in English, both orally and in writing.
• You can work independently as well as collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• A full-time PhD scholarship for 1 year, renewable after positive evaluation for up to 4 years in total, in accordance with KU Leuven doctoral salary scales.
• Enrollment in the Arenberg Doctoral School, including…