MSCA PF 2026 hosting in Climatic monitoring in Europe

The EMMA group is a multidisciplinary research team dedicated to advancing and disseminating mathematical research applied to key environmental challenges, such as natural disaster prevention and atmospheric monitoring. These areas are directly connected to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are increasingly shaping global policies and everyday practices.

The group addresses two complementary research lines: one develops a multicriteria decision‑making model supported by econometric analysis to assess progress on environmental and climate‑related SDGs; the other investigates regional vulnerability to natural hazards using modern Geodesy and satellite observation systems to analyse dynamic Earth processes across the atmosphere, hydrosphere, solid Earth, ecosystems, oceans and tectonic environments.

As a result, EMMA positions itself at the intersection of mathematics, economics, and geodesy, with a strong focus on environmental and atmospheric SDGs.
Its main research lines include:

• GNSS-based ionospheric and tropospheric monitoring

• GNSS applications for deformation control

• Econometrics

• Decision theory

The supervisor, Prof. María Clara de Lacy Pérez de los Cobos is a Full Professor in Geodetic Engineering with extensive experience in satellite navigation (GNSS) and its high‑precision applications,

Her scientific career is strongly aligned with EU strategic research areas, particularly those linked to Galileo, Earth observation, and resilient geospatial infrastructures. She has led research projects on GPS modernisation and Galileo, developing advanced algorithms for the forthcoming multi‑GNSS environment. In addition, she has a solid trajectory in the analysis of permanent GNSS networks for deformation monitoring in geodynamically active regions, covering the Iberian Peninsula, southern Spain, and North Africa.

Research Project Description

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) were originally developed mainly for positioning purposes, but in recent years they have emerged as a strategic tool for climate monitoring. Specifically, the use of continuously operating GNSS reference stations (CORS GNSS) for atmospheric monitoring makes it possible to estimate time series of precipitable water vapour (PWV), a key parameter for understanding atmospheric processes associated with extreme rainfall, droughts, or hurricanes. Examples of CORS GNSS networks are EUREF Permanent GNSS Network in Europe, RAP or ERVA in Spain, SPIN3 GNSS in Italy, AGNESS  GNSS Network in Switzerland, RGP in France, APOS in Austria and so on. These CORS GNSS networks play a fundamental role in achieving several Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to climate change (SDG 13) and biodiversity conservation (SDG 15). However, the spatial density of existing CORS GNSS networks is generally insufficient for this type of study. For this reason, the EMMA research group is carrying out a project that has begun to densify these networks with low-cost GNSS receivers in the provinces of Madrid and Jaén through the CEUNet and JaeNet networks, respectively. These new networks complement the existing CORS GNSS infrastructure by providing the data needed to monitor parameters related to natural disasters. This project aims to take a qualitative leap forward by installing at least four new low-cost GNSS stations in areas of high climate vulnerability, particularly in the eastern Iberian Peninsula, a region where extreme events are becoming increasingly intense. 

Candidate requirements: Dynamic postdoctoral candidates of any nationality (max. 8 years after defense), PhD in Physics, Mathematics, Meteorology, or a closely related discipline and a strong background in atmospheric sciences and advanced data analysis.

Applicants are encouraged to submit an expression of interest to clara.lacy@ceu.es with:

• A short CV (Max. 2 pages)

• A one-page research proposal

USP‑CEU is a competitive and supportive host institution for MSCA‑PF candidates. We offer personalised guidance throughout the proposal preparation process, as well as our International Talent Retention Programme, which provides successful MSCA Fellows with an additional 6–12 month contract to support long‑term career development.

https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/hosting/msca-postdoctoral-hosting-climatic-monitoring-europe