COMBINED MONITORING AND FORECAST FOR A SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES AND TIMELY ADAPTATION TO DROUGHT – MORE4WATER

Summary A research position for one Research Grant (“Bolsa de Investigação“) is open at Instituto de Telecomunicações, in the scope of the Project MORE4WATER – Combined monitoring and forecast for a sustainable management of water resources and timely adaptation to drought.
This project is funded by FCT/MCTES through national funds and when applicable co-funded EU funds under the Water4All/ project reference.
MORE4WATER aims to develop a novel technology that uses measurement systems for improving the forecast of water availability and, consequently, the management and governance strategies of Water distribution and transmission Networks (WNs) and Irrigation Systems (ISs).
This technology allows for drastically reducing the impact of water drought and will prepare for the next generation of WNs and ISs which must be more monitored, more controlled, more efficient, sustainable, and “smart”, in line with the UN Agenda and the EU Green Deal.
A Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) will be designed and deployed capable of collecting, preprocessing and transmitting all the relevant measurement data.
Connectivity with the Internet will be guaranteed, to enable both remote management of the sensor nodes and developments oriented towards citizen science, so that an app running on a smartphone may be used by end-users and other stakeholders to signal exceptional events and eventually provide feedback.
The app will also make non-sensitive data available for validation and re-use purposes.
This capability may be exploited to provide additional information, enhancing the assessment of phenomena using sensor fusion and artificial intelligence algorithms.
The WSN will be configured and optimized to monitor WNs and ISs, depending on the identified case studies and scenarios.
The network nodes will be battery-operated, self-powered, and cost-effective devices.
An additional objective is the capability of monitoring exceptional events, that translates into continuously collecting data at a sampling rate of 1 ksample/s for at least 2 days.
Node synchronization will be accomplished using GPS modules and timestamping the acquired values.
Data security will be achieved by using proper encryption and authentication methods, preventing unauthorized access to the WSN, and malicious activities such as data tampering.
System level requirements related to reliability, usability, security, and maintainability will be included in the design and realization process.
The selected candidate will be involved in the definition of the WSN system requirements, system architecture design, design the embedded measurement system to interface the required sensors, implement the prototype system, test the system, and produce the final systems to be deployed.
In addition, the candidate will overview system operation and required modifications/upgrades.
Work Objectives - Definition of the WSN system requirements; - System architecture design; - Design the embedded measurement system to interface the required sensors; - Implement the prototype system; - Field test the system; - Produce the final systems to be deployed; - Overview system operation and deliver the required system modifications/upgrades; - Produce supporting documentation throughout the project/system development.
Place of Work The work will be developed at the premises of Instituto de Telecomunicações – Lisbon, under the supervision of Professor Pedro Ramos.
Duration 12 months, with the possibility of renewal (according to the regulations defined by FCT).
Start date.
May 1st, or soon thereafter.
Monthly Salary € according to the table of grant amounts awarded directly by FCT for positions held in Portugal (https://www.
ct.
t/wp-content/uploads//Tabela-de-Valores-SMM_atualizacao-.
df).
The payment will be made by bank transfer.
Admission Requirements Research grants are intended.
- for students enrolled in a degree-conferring course to carry out R&D activities with the aim to consolidate their scientific training through the development of research work leading to the attainment of the respective academic degree or completion of the course (integrated or not in R&D projects).
- for students enrolled in courses that do not confer an academic degree but which are integrated in an educational project of a higher education institution and are developed in association or cooperation with one or several R&D units.
In what concerns the admission requirements for this research grant in particular.
- The accepted candidate must have completed a BSc.
degree in Electronics Engineering or Electrical and Computer Engineering and be enrolled in an MSc.
program in Electronics Engineering or Electrical and Computer Engineering; - Experience in the design/optimization and prototyping of embedded measurement systems with multiple sensors; - High level English language is appreciated, and Portuguese language is required.
Required Documents Cover letter explaining the interest in the position and relevant background, detailed Curriculum Vitae with transcripts, Copy of the relevant certificates (Copy of the Degree Certificate(s), if applicable); and proof of enrollment (or proof of acceptance) in a higher education course or declaration of honour confirming that complies with the conditions to enroll in the required/preferable higher education course.
NOTE.
The proof of enrollment in a higher education course must be made until the contract is signed.
Apply online clicking on the “Apply Now” button in this form https://www.
t.
t/Positions/OtherResearchPosition/ E-mail submissions will not be considered.
(The cover letter and the CV are mandatory documents in the online application platform)