Phd Position in Flood forecasting and early warning system using advanced Full-time

Mohammed VI Polytechnic University is an institution dedicated to research and innovation in Africa and aims to position itself among world-renowned universities in its fields

The University is engaged in economic and human development and puts research and innovation at the forefront of African development. A mechanism that enables it to consolidate Morocco’s frontline position in these fields, in a unique partnership-based approach and boosting skills training relevant for the future of Africa.

Located in the municipality of Benguerir, in the very heart of the Green City, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University aspires to leave its mark nationally, continentally, and globally.

Position Announcement: Ph.D. student position

Job Title: Flood forecasting and early warning system using advanced machine learning technics for an operational purpose over Africa.

Job description:

Floods are a major natural threat to populations worldwide causing thousands of fatalities and resulting in large economic damages annually. Flood forecasting is essential for mitigating the impacts of flooding on communities and infrastructure. However, most of forecasting models rely on hydrological models for discharge forecasting. These models still need to improve their ability to simulate discharge, especially in areas with sparse data. Recent studies have shown that Deep learning methods, to be a promising approach in providing improvements over prominent conceptual models in prediction accuracy, scalability, and regional generalization.

This thesis project stands to significantly advance flood forecasting by integrating advanced machine learning technics with hydrological modeling. Improved flood forecasts will help in better disaster preparedness, ultimately enhancing community resilience to flood events. The findings will also encourage the hydrological community to adopt more quantitative and data-driven approaches.

This thesis project will be in collaboration between the International Water Research Institute, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Morocco and Espace Dev laboratory, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement in Montpellier, France. The candidate will be based at the UM6P Benguerir campus and Espace Dev Montpellier.

Key duties:

The key deliverables will include:

1. Developing an advanced flood forecasting models that surpasses the accuracy and efficiency of traditional models.
2. Providing deeper insights into the internal workings of machine learning models, making them more interpretable and thus more applicable in practical flood forecasting scenarios
3. Dissemination/publication of results at the scientific level

Criteria of the candidate:

The ideal candidate should:

1. Have a master’s degree or an Engineering graduate in hydrology, hydrogeology, environmental geoscience, rural engineering, geomatics, data sciences, or a related discipline.
2. A publication record is an asset
3. Good communication skills, both verbal and writing are important. Fluency in French and English is preferred.
4. Programming skills (Matlab, R, Python…), GIS techniques and mathematical modelling
5. Experience in implementing Machine Learning and Deep Learning algorithms are recommended.
6. Experience in technical aspects related to hydrological modeling is preferred.
7. Understanding of operational requirements for a successful research project and managing resources.
8. Ability to identify and fulfil the academic writing requirements for target publications.
9. Ability to generate new ideas, and to build upon existing ideas to generate good concepts and solutions.
10. Willingness to work independently and collaborate with a diversified, multi-cultural, and international team by adopting a multi-disciplinary approach.

About UM6P:

Located at the heart of the future Green City of Benguerir, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), a higher education institution with an international standard, is established to serve Morocco and the African continent. Its vision is honed around research and innovation at the service of education and development. This unique nascent university, with its state-of-the-art campus and infrastructure, has woven a sound academic and research network, and its recruitment process is seeking high quality academics and professionals to boost its quality-oriented research environment in the metropolitan area of Marrakech.

About IWRI:

IWRI is a transversal structure across several UM6P Programs. Research within the center is organized around several major areas that aim to ensure the challenging Food and Water security goal in Africa, with a special focus on developing methods/tools that use multi-source remotely sensed data. The research aims to improve our understanding of the integrated functioning of continental surfaces and their interaction with climate and humans, with emphasis on sustainable management of natural resources (soil, land, water, agriculture) in the context of Climate Change. One of center’s goals is to provide a set of services and operational products to users (local, national, and international) that aid in the decision support of water and food systems.

About ESPACE Dev:

UMR ESPACE-DEV develops research on the spatial dynamics characterizing eco-sociosystems. Its objectives concern the definition of indicators of these dynamics: bio-geophysics, changes in societies, risks linked to emerging diseases depending on environmental parameters, changes, and vulnerability of territories to global changes. To this end, it develops methodologies in spatial remote sensing and knowledge integration.

UM6P.