We are looking for prospective PhD students in the following areas for Autumn 2023-24. Interested students are encouraged to email Karthikeyan at karthikl@iitb.ac.in. For more updates, please follow CSRE website and IITB admissions website.
1) Novel methods to improve soil moisture and vegetation characterization using passive microwave sensors [This is an SERB-funded project]
Satellite remote sensing using passive microwave sensors (radiometers) has become an important source to monitor both SM and vegetation at global scales over the past four decades. Radiometers measure electromagnetic radiations emitted from the Earth’s surface as brightness temperature. These radiations in low frequencies (< 11 GHz) are sensitive to soil and vegetation’s dielectric and geometric properties. A retrieval algorithm generally involves inverting a physics-based radiative transfer model (RTM), which simulates brightness temperature as a function of soil and vegetation properties. Vegetation properties are represented in RTM by Vegetation Optical Depth (VOD). Vegetation Optical Depth (VOD) depicts the total water content present in leaf and woody biomass components above the ground surface. Soil moisture and VOD together have key information to assess land-atmosphere interactions and extreme events. Goal of the project is to develop high quality soil moisture and vegetation information using passive microwave sensors SMAP and SMOS. In this process, synergies between microwave and optical/thermal sensors shall be explored. The candidate will also have opportunity to explore applications of soil moisture and VOD in the areas of hydrology, ecology, and land-atmosphere interactions.