Connectionists: PhD position: Anomalous Changes and Extremes Detection on Earth

[Gustau Camps-Valls]

** Open PhD position in Universitat de València, Spain

** Project:  DACE: Detection of Anomalous Changes and Extreme Events in Earth Observation Data
** Advisors: Prof. Dr. Gustau Camps-Valls and Luis Gómez-Chova

** Summary of activities. Earth observation data allows us to detect anomalous changes on the land-cover, as 
well as extreme events, both spatially explicit and time-resolved. This is now possible by exploiting high 
resolution satellite images and long time series of images and products, along with powerful statistical 
techniques to process them. However, in recent years, the big and heterogeneous data streams acquired by 
satellite constellations hamper the adoption of advanced machine learning statistical techniques for anomaly 
change detection and extremes identification. This project proposes to develop, characterize, and apply novel 
anomaly (change) detectors under the framework of kernel methods. Kernel machines are a proper framework to 
develop online detection algorithms, to accommodate multi-source data, model complex distributions, to cope 
with high-dimensional data, and can be engineered to the particular EO signal characteristics.

We will advance in theoretical aspects of the problem by developing a novel kernel framework for extreme 
events and anomaly change detection that can be online, generalizes extreme value theory, deals with 
non-Gaussianity and invariances. A prototype of the best performing method will be implemented at the Google 
Earth Engine (GEE) framework. Algorithms will work at both local and global planetary scales, using very high 
resolution (VHR) imagery and multi-decadal global carbon products. Detection of rare, unexpected changes and 
events under the developed statistical framework will constitute the stepping stone before the more ambitious 
far-end goal of machine attribution of anthropogenic climate change causes.

Where? The successful applicant will be based in València, Spain, and will pursue his/her PhD in the Image 
Processing Laboratory (IPL) of the Universitat de València, http://isp.uv.es. Supervision will be done by 
Profs. Gustau Camps-Valls and Luis Gómez-Chova.

** Who?
- Applicants must have completed a master's degree in Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, 
Earth/Environmental Sciences, or Electrical Engineering.
- Additional expertise in remote sensing, climate science and image processing is highly valuable.
- Excellent coding skills (in Python, Matlab, R, and eventually Java/C++) is an asset.
- A good standard of written and spoken English is required.
- Are you highly motivated, enthusiastic and with passion for quantitative science to join our team?
- The position may start as of June 1, 2016 (or as soon as possible thereafter) and is limited to 3 years.
- Salary is according to the UV regulation for PhD salaries (around 1400€/month gross + 1600€/year for 
travel/accommodation). València's cost of living index is 55.
- Important note: Master's degree obtained after Jan-2013 and earned in a non-Spanish university.

** What? Please send your application as one single PDF file (2-pages CV and 2 recommendation letters) to 
Gustau.Camps at uv.es, indicating in the email's subject «Grisolia-2016».

When? Send the dossier no later than *March 4, 2016*.


Prof. Gustau Camps-Valls
Image Processing Laboratory (IPL)
Universitat de València
C/ Catedrático José Beltrán, 2
46980 Paterna, València. Spain.
http://isp.uv.es
http://www.uv.es/gcamps
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