PhD Candidate: AI-driven Ground-Penetrating Radar Analysis for Smart Water Infrastructure Assessment
Develop explainable AI tools to automate leak detection in urban water networks using GPR imaging within a Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network.
Best for:Best for early-career researchers with a strong background in computer science, AI, or civil engineering who are eager to work on interdisciplinary water infrastructure challenges using machine learning.
Overview
This Horizon Europe MSCA-funded PhD position focuses on creating intelligent data analysis methods to assess critical urban water infrastructure using Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR). The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary network of 15 doctoral researchers across Europe, working under the supervision of experts in civil engineering, AI, and water systems. The role involves developing novel AI algorithms to interpret GPR images, enabling early detection of leaks and failures in drinking water pipelines. Through international mobility and industrial secondments, the candidate will contribute to advancing resilient and sustainable water management systems while gaining cross-disciplinary training in AI, digital twins, and smart infrastructure technologies.
What you'll do
- Develop and implement AI models to automate the interpretation of GPR images for detecting leaks in buried water infrastructure.
- Build a repository of GPR images from failed water distribution system components to train and validate AI models.
- Collaborate with international partners and industry mentors to test and refine algorithms in real-world water facilities.
- Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results at international conferences.
- Participate in a structured training program covering AI, explainable AI, digital twins, and entrepreneurship.
- Engage in international mobility and secondments at partner institutions and water utilities across Europe.
- Contribute to the development of an intelligent decision support system for water infrastructure management.
- Ensure research outputs align with the project’s goals of sustainability and resilience in water systems.
Requirements
Degree required: MSc in Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related field
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English; excellent proficiency required
Instruction: English
- Strong programming skills in Python or MATLAB
- Experience with machine learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch)
- Familiarity with signal processing or image analysis techniques
- Background in AI, data science, or computational methods
- Proficiency in English (written and spoken)
- Applicants must not have more than 4 years of research experience since obtaining their MSc degree (MSCA mobility rule)
- Must comply with Horizon Europe MSCA eligibility criteria (e.g., not having resided in Ireland for more than 12 months in the last 3 years)
- Open to applicants of any nationality
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-09-30 (Europe/Dublin)
Submit a CV, cover letter, academic transcripts, a research statement (max 2 pages), and contact details for two referees via email. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview. Ensure all documents are in English.
- CV
- Cover letter
- Research statement (max 2 pages)
- BSc and MSc academic transcripts
- Two academic reference letters
Contact
Dr. David Ayala-Cabrera· Principal Investigator (i3WaterS DC1)
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