Postdoctoral Research Position in Fire Observation at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Spain

Are you looking for a prestigious postdoctoral research opportunity in Europe? The Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (UPC), one of Europe’s leading institutions in engineering, architecture, sciences, and technology, is offering a fully funded Postdoctoral Position in Fire Observation.

This role is hosted at CERTEC, the research group within the Department of Chemical Engineering, UPC, located at the EBEE campus in Barcelona, Spain. CERTEC specializes in risk and safety research, collaborating with both public and private sectors worldwide.

🌍 About CERTEC and UPC

• UPC: A top-ranked technical university in Europe, graduating more than 6,000 bachelor’s and master’s students annually.
• CERTEC: A leading research center focused on industrial risk analysis, fire dynamics, wildfire studies, and fire modeling.
• Mission: Advancing fire safety science, environmental risk analysis, and technological innovation.

🔬 Research Focus Areas

The postdoctoral researcher will work primarily on Fire Observation within the EUBURN Project (The Southern EUrope Biomass BURNing Project), a groundbreaking program addressing extreme wildfires in Europe.

Key tasks include:

• Data Processing: Analyze fire data from the 2025 SILEX campaign, including fire radiative power (FRP) from airborne and satellite sensors (VIIRS, Sentinel-3, MeteoSat MTG).
• Fire Front & ROS Modeling: Develop methods for fire front delineation and rate of spread (ROS) calculation using infrared (IR) observations, supported by machine learning algorithms.
• Drone-Based Fire Detection: Design a payload system for night-time drone patrols, enhancing real-time fire hotspot detection and geolocation accuracy.
• Collaborative Modeling: Provide fire observation data to support wildfire modeling teams across Europe.
• Field Campaigns: Participate in the 2027 EUBURN campaign in Portugal and southern Spain.
• Publications & Dissemination: Publish in peer-reviewed journals, present at international conferences, and collaborate with EU partners.

📌 Job Details

• Position: Postdoctoral Researcher in Fire Observation
• Employer: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), BarcelonaTech
• Location: Barcelona, Spain
• Contract: Full-time, until 31 May 2028
• Salary: €36,000/year gross, divided into 14 payments (12 monthly + June & December bonuses)
• Research Group: CERTEC (Chemical Engineering Department, EBEE campus)
• Relevant Divisions: Atmospheric Sciences, Geosciences, Natural Hazards
• Supervisor: Dr. Ronan Paugam
• Education Required: PhD in relevant fields (e.g., Fire Science, Atmospheric Sciences, Geosciences, Chemical Engineering)
• Application Deadline: Open until filled
• Start Date: Flexible, 2025–2026

🌱 Why Join This Project?

• Work on high-impact wildfire research with European institutions.
• Collaborate with top international research centers including Météo-France, University of Évora, University of Valladolid, and more.
• Gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge fire observation technologies, drone systems, and satellite monitoring tools.
• Secure a competitive salary and live in Barcelona, one of Europe’s top cities for science, technology, and lifestyle.

📧 How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit:

• A CV
• A Cover Letter outlining research experience and motivation

👉 Send applications directly to: ronan.paugam@upc.edu

For more details, visit the official research page: CERTEC – UPC

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💡 This is a rare opportunity for ambitious researchers who want to contribute to climate science, wildfire management, and atmospheric research at the international level. If you are passionate about wildfire risk analysis and fire observation technologies, apply now and take your career to the next level at UPC BarcelonaTech.