Fully Funded PhD and Postdoc Positions at WIT

Fully Funded Ph.D. Positions at the Center for Water Informatics & Technology, LUMS (Deadline: April 01, 2023)

WIT center invites applications for Ph.D. studies at the School of Science & Engineering, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) for the 2023 admission cycle. The selected student will pursue a degree at an internationally recognized center for excellence, where a team of graduate students, faculty, and full-time researchers is pursuing top-quality research in the areas of agricultural robotics, systems analysis, hydrometeorology, earth systems science and coupled human-water systems.

Program Options: Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Chemical & Environmental Engineering, or any other Ph.D. program offered at LUMS https://admission.lums.edu.pk/taxonomy/term/202

Research Area: Integrated Assessment Models for Sustainable Pathways in the Water-Energy-Food-Climate Nexus

Eligibility: BS and MS in the disciplines of engineering or science with experience in programming (Python, MATLAB, or R), numerical algorithms, modeling of engineering or natural systems, data collection, and a passion for sustainability issues in water, agriculture, energy, and technology adoption. Women and international applicants are especially encouraged to apply.

Funding: This is a fully funded position for 4 years including a 100% tuition waiver and a monthly stipend. The monthly stipend would start at Rs 80,000/month and would be raised to Rs 100,000/month post-qualifier. Additionally, the student is eligible to receive a personal computer (desktop or laptop) and dedicated desk space. External support for this position comes from a 42-month EU-funded project on Climate Change in collaboration with International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), ASEAN Center for Energy (ACE), and Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL). Opportunities for prolonged visits and exchanges with international partners during the project duration also exist. This is a full-time position requiring physical presence. The accepted student will not be allowed to pursue secondary employment during the time funding is being received.

Research Supervision: The selected students will work and collaborate with a diverse team of experts from national and international institutions working on impactful environmental and climate-related applications. Primary supervision will be provided by faculty at the WIT Center. The outcomes of the research will include computational models and analytical methods published in top-ranked journals and conferences.

Coursework, Qualifiers, and Other Expectations: The selected student will complete the required coursework and pass qualifiers as per the policies of the LUMS program in which the student secures admission. There are strong expectations to acquire a solid foundation, whether via coursework or independent study, in the broad areas of systems theory, optimization algorithms, machine learning, statistical methods, modeling, and decision science. LUMS requires students to TA at least two courses before the completion of their Ph.D. degree. Additionally, there is the expectation to participate in the WIT center’s training programs, field activities, and the supervision of undergraduates and interns.

How to Apply: Interested candidates must email their expression of interest to hrwit@lums.edu.pk with a copy of their CV, academic transcripts, MS thesis, and research papers by April 1st, 2023. Use the subject line ‘Application for PhD – COMMITTED’. Additionally, the student must secure successful admission in a Ph.D. program at the School of Science & Engineering, LUMS (preferably in one of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Chemical & Environmental Engineering). This must be applied for separately (Hard deadline: April 11th, 2023). Sending an EOI will not be a substitute for LUMS central admissions. Please see https://admission.lums.edu.pk/taxonomy/term/202

Selection Process: Following EOI submission, applicants must inform WIT about their successful application and tracking ID. WIT will shortlist and invite applicants for interviews and make a final decision. The applicant will be at liberty to discuss supervision options with other LUMS faculty during the selection process. However, once the applicant accepts the WIT position, switching the supervisor will not be possible without extraordinary circumstances.

Any informal queries or clarifications can be asked at: abubakr@lums.edu.pk

PostDoc: Externally funded fellowship on Integrated Assessment Models for Sustainable Pathways in the Water-Energy-Food-Climate Nexus (Deadline: April 30, 2023)

Research Area: Integrated Assessment Models for Sustainable Pathways in the Water-Energy-Food-Climate Nexus

Eligibility: Ph.D. in the disciplines of engineering or science, with a solid training and publication record in the broad areas of systems theory, optimization algorithms, machine learning, statistical methods, modeling, decision science, or control engineering. Experience in programming (Python, MATLAB, or R), implementation of numerical optimization algorithms, and handling of geospatial data sets is a must. Familiarity with sustainability-related issues such as climate change, agricultural sustainability, water management, or energy systems will be highly advantageous. Ph.D. candidates in their terminal status and expected to complete their dissertation requirements by June 1st, 2023 are also eligible to apply. Women and international applicants are especially encouraged to apply.

Funding: This is a full-time position for 12 months, and is extendable to 24 months based on performance. The monthly salary would start at Rs 200,000 per month. External support for this position comes from a 42-month EU-funded project on Climate Change (COMMITTED) in collaboration with International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), ASEAN Center for Energy (ACE), and Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL). Opportunities for travel and exchanges with international partners during the project duration also exist. Selected applicant will receive all needed privileges, such as access to the library, sports facilities, laboratories, IT resources, dedicated office space, and subscriptions to the faculty mailing lists.

Research and Mentorship: The selected applicant will work under the mentorship of WIT faculty and collaborate with a diverse team of experts from national and international institutions working on impactful environmental and climate-related applications. The outcomes of the research will include computational models and analytical methods published in top-ranked journals and conferences. 

Expectations: The selected applicant will supervise the technical team of the project and lead the effort in model development. There is also the expectation to participate in the WIT center’s training programs, and the co-supervision of graduate students with WIT faculty. Although not required for this position, the fellowship may be upgraded to an adjunct faculty position if there is an interest to teach courses at LUMS. Postdocs at LUMS are also eligible to apply for external and internal competitive grants as co-PIs.

How to Apply: Interested candidates must email their applications to hrwit@lums.edu.pk with a copy of their CV, academic transcripts, PhD thesis, research papers and a list of references by April 30th, 2023. Use the subject line ‘Application for Postdoc – COMMITTED’.

Selection Process: Consideration and selection of the candidates will be on a rolling basis until the position if filled. The start date of the fellowship is June 1st, 2023.

Any informal queries or clarifications can be asked at: abubakr@lums.edu.pk

PostDoc: Internally funded Abdul Salam postdoctoral fellowships 2023 on future areas of growth at WIT Center (Deadline: April 01, 2023)

Research Areas: Climate analytics, water governance, earth systems science, physics-inspired machine learning, data-driven modeling of complex dynamical systems  

Funding: The prestigious Abdul Salam postdoctoral program at the SBA School of Science & Engineering at LUMS recruits two (2) post-doctoral fellows in a year, from an international pool of applicants. SBASSE faculty from all departments and centers compete for these 2 positions and the selection is done on a rolling basis. The Dean, with the support of the holder of the Abdus Salam Chair at SBASSE, makes the final decision. Each post-doctoral fellow is hired for a period of one year only and entitled to a salary of up to Rs. 200,000 per month. Additionally, international post-doctoral fellows, who are based out of Pakistan, will be provided with an economy-class round-trip air ticket for relocation. They will receive all needed privileges, such as access to the library, sports facilities, laboratories, IT resources, dedicated office space, and subscriptions to the faculty mailing lists. For other details see https://sbasse.lums.edu.pk/abdus-salam-postdoc

WIT center will compete for these positions in the strategic areas of growth that are in line with the vision of the Abdul Salam postdoctoral fellowship program. 

Eligibility: Ph.D. in the disciplines of engineering or science, with a solid training and publication record in the broad areas of climate modeling, water management, agricultural systems, hydrometeorology, earth observation systems, coupled human-natural systems and others. Additionally, familiarity with optimization algorithms, machine learning, statistical methods, modeling, and experience in programming or the usage or development of electronic measurement systems will be highly advantageous in forging collaborations with WIT faculty, researchers, and students. Women and international applicants are especially encouraged to apply. 

Research and Mentorship: The selected applicant will work under the mentorship of WIT Director and collaborate with a diverse team of experts from national and international institutions working on impactful areas of research. Moreover, the Dean of SBASSE and holder of the Abdul Salam chair will offer frequent contact and mentorship to the fellows. 

Expectations: The selected applicant will be fairly independent to set and pursue research goals. There is the expectation by the center to develop a new (or strengthen an existing) research program in the aforementioned areas of strategic growth via peer-reviewed research publications and the development of research projects. There is a strong expectation from the postdoctoral fellow to participate in the WIT center’s training programs and the co-supervision of graduate students and research staff along with WIT faculty. In addition to expectations set by the school for the Abdul Salam fellowship, the center desires that the fellow will teach at least one independent course per year (at the undergraduate or graduate level) in areas related to earth systems science, water resources management, or climate analytics. Postdocs at LUMS are also eligible to apply for external and internal competitive grants as co-PIs. 

How to Apply: As per the procedure of applying for Abdul Salam postdoctoral fellowships, applications are developed jointly with faculty as proposals. Candidates interested in filing their applications jointly with WIT faculty must email their expression of interest to hrwit@lums.edu.pk with a copy of their CV, academic transcripts, PhD thesis, research papers and a list of references by April 1st, 2023. Use the subject line ‘Application for Postdoc – ABDULSALAM’. Shortlisted candidates will be invited by WIT Director to develop the research proposal by April 8th, 2023. Nominations of finalists will be made by the director to the school by April 30th, 2023. The selection process is expected to complete in Summer 2023 with the position starting on Sept 1st, 2023, or the availability of the candidate. 

Any informal queries or clarifications can be asked at: abubakr@lums.edu.pk