Printable versionDetails about funded positions - 39th Cycle - Curriculum 3
(3A) Machine learning methodologies for the analysis of remote sensing data acquired in planetary and/or Earth observation space missions - E66E23000180001
Funding institution: University of Trento
Doctoral site: Department of Trento – Department of Information Engineering and Computer Science
Contact: Prof. Lorenzo Bruzzone [lorenzo.bruzzone [at] unitn.it]
Funds: NRRP, M4C1 inv. 3.4, Digital and environmental transitions scholarships
Mobility abroad: compulsory, minimum 6 months
Periods in companies/research centres/public administrations: compulsory, minimum 6 months
The objective of the project is to develop research activities in the field of methodologies and technologies based on artificial intelligence and machine learning for the automatic analysis of remote sensing data acquired by satellites and/or drones for planetary exploration and/or Earth observation. The activity will focus on the development of deep learning techniques, possibly integrated with traditional methods based on physical models, for the automatic extraction of information from data. The methodological development is aimed at defining and implementing techniques adapted to the specific characteristics of remotely sensed images. The training activity, in addition to the didactic aspects of the specific PhD course, includes:
1) the study of the literature on the use of artificial intelligence techniques in the field of remote sensing;
2) the identification of relevant methodological gaps;
3) the definition of innovative data processing techniques and their algorithmic implementation;
4) testing on data and real applications.
A 6-month training internship at e-Geos is envisaged as part of this pathway, which will enable the PhD student to deepen the application/industrial aspects of the methodological activity developed at the university.
(3B) Automatic analysis for planetary sub-surface radar sounder data (project ASI JUICE-RIME-E – CUP F83C23000070005)
Funding institution: Fondazione Bruno Kessler - FBK
Doctoral site: Fondazione Bruno Kessler – FBK - Trento
Contact: Dott. Francesca Bovolo [bovolo [at] fbk.eu]
Funds: Own Funds
Mobility abroad: compulsory, minimum 6 months
Periods in companies/research centres/public administrations: optional
The European Space Agency (ESA) mission JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) to the Jovian system has been launched in April 2023, and the development of the ESA EnVision mission to Venus will continue. Both missions carry on board a radar sounder instrument for subsurface sensing of planetary bodies. In the context of these two projects we are looking for candidates willing to design methodologies for sub-surface radar image processing and analysis. The outcome of this activity will contribute in improving the understanding of subsurface structures, and their correlation to planetary body history and climate. The candidate will be requested to design and develop novel methodologies based on machine learning, deep learning, pattern recognition and artificial intelligence for information extraction, classification, target detection, noise reduction and change detection in radar and radar sounder images.
Besides the requirements established by the rules of the ICT school, preferential characteristics for candidates for this scholarship are:
• master degree in Electrical Engineering, Communication Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics or equivalents;
• knowledge in pattern recognition, deep learning, image/signal processing, statistic/remote sensing/radar.
This grant is funded by project ASI JUICE-RIME-E - “Missione JUICE - Attività dei team scientifici dei payload per lancio, commissioning, operazioni e analisi dati” — CUP F83C23000070005.
(3C) Theoretical and computational methods in Celestial Mechanics, Astrodynamics and Space Sciences
Funding institution: Istituto Nazionale di Alta Matematica – “Francesco Severi”
Doctoral site: A venue with INdAM-affiliated lecturers to be agreed with the scientific referee
Contact: Prof. Giovanni Federico Gronchi [giovanni.federico.gronchi [at] unipi.it]
Funds: Own Funds
Mobility abroad: compulsory, minimum 6 months
Periods in companies/research centres/public administrations: optional.
This grant is devoted to the study of mathematical problems arising in the field of dynamics of celestial bodies, considering applications of mathematics to astronomy, space navigation and more generally to space science. The techniques employed to deal with these problems can belong to different branches of mathematics, e.g. general theory of dynamical systems, perturbation theory, calculus of variations, continuum mechanics, computational algebra, numerical analysis.
(3D) The impact of dust in extraterrestrial habitats: development of space instrumentation and physical characterisation in space, in the laboratory and at similar terrestrial sites (e.g. the Sahara Desert)
Funding institution: National Institute for Astrophysics - INAF
Doctoral site: National Institute for Astrophysics – INAF, Astronomical Observatory of Capodimonte (NA)
Contact: Francesca Esposito [francesca.esposito [at] inaf.it]
Funds: Own Funds
Mobility abroad: compulsory, minimum 6 months
Periods in companies/research centres/public administrations: optional.
The research activity is dedicated to the study of the dust environment near the surface of planets, natural satellites and small bodies, with special focus on Mars and Moon. The study is aimed at the characterisation of the physics of dust lifting and grain electrification and involves a contribution to all the stages of the research: space payload development (dust sensors), modelling, laboratory and field experiments, data analysis and interpretation. In particular, the activities foresee:
• the design and development of sensors to be deployed on planetary surfaces to characterise concentration, speed, size and charge distribution of lifted grains;
• the development of laboratory facilities with the twofold aim of studying the dust behaviour in representative conditions and of calibrating the sensors under development;
• the contribution to field campaigns performed in planetary analogue sites (e.g. Sahara desert, Etna volcano, ..), aimed at a better understanding of the expected environment near the surface of Mars and Moon.
(3E) Subsurface Radar Sounder on the EnVision mission for the analysis of the Venus subsurface - F63C22000650005
Funding institution: University of Trento
Doctoral site: University of Trento – Department of Information Engineering and Computer Science
Contact: Prof. Lorenzo Bruzzone [lorenzo.bruzzone [at] unitn.it]
Funds: Italian Space Agency and Own Funds
Mobility abroad: compulsory, minimum 6 months
Periods in companies/research centres/public administrations: optional
The research activities will be developed in the framework of the EnVision mission of the European Space Agency (ESA), which is presently in B1 phase after being selected as M5 mission of the "Cosmic Vision" of ESA). In particular, the focus of the research will be on one of the instruments on-board Envision which is the Sub-surface Radar Sounder (SRS). This instrument has the objective to study the shallow subsurface of Venus acquiring measurements for hundreds of meters (up to a maximum of 1 km). The objective of the research can be focused on different directions depending on the know-how of the selected candidate and should be related to at least two of the following topics: • 1) Detailed study of the and characterization of the scenarios associated with the science objectives of SRS. Identification of terrestrial analogous, collaboration to the development of campaigns of data acquisition by radar sounder/ground penetrating radar from ground and drone and related data analysis. • 2) Development of methodologies for the simulation of the performances of SRS and application of them to the analysis of the EnVision mission scenario. In particular, the activity should study in a detailed way the radar performances versus both the main parameters considered for the instrument and the different conditions expected on the surface and sub-surface of Venus. • 3) Development of techniques for the processing of the signals acquired by the radar both in terms of low-level processing and of information extraction form the radargrams. The research will be developed at the Remote Sensing Laboratory of the Department of Information Engineering and Computer Science of the University of Trento
(3F) Cataloguing space debris: from initial orbit determination to conjunction detection - E66E23000110001
Funding institution: University of Pisa
Doctoral site: University of Pisa – Department of Mathematics
Contact: Prof. Giovanni Federico Gronchi [giovanni.federico.gronchi@unipi.it]
Funds: NRRP, M4C1 inv. 4.1, NRRP research
Mobility abroad: compulsory, minimum 6 months
Periods in companies/research centres/public administrations: optional
Monitoring the several fragments of artificial satellites orbiting without control around the Earth, commonly called 'space debris', has become a particularly relevant problem, also in view of the mega-constellations of satellites, to be put in orbit in the next future. In this project we study how to create in an efficient way a space debris catalogue, at least for debris with significant size (>10cm), starting from optical or radar observations which are ground-based or space-based. Once we have an orbit catalogue for debris, we consider the problem of studying possible collisions of pairs of debris, and possible collisions between a debris and an active satellite.
(3G) Internal processes and structure of Ganymede in support of the JUICE mission
Funding institution: Università degli Studi "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti - Pescara
Doctoral site: Department of Engineering and Geology, Università degli Studi "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti - Pescara
Contact: Prof. Giuseppe Mitri [giuseppe.mitri [at] unich.it]
Funds: Own funds
Mobility abroad: compulsory, minimum 6 months
Periods in companies/research centres/public administrations: optional
Theoretical studies and/or geological analysis focusing on the internal processes and structure of Ganymede, Jupiter’s largest moon. The research aims to support the upcoming ESA JUICE mission, exploring Ganymede and the Jupiter satellite system. Successful applicants for this scholarship are expected to possess a robust background in planetary science, geophysics, physics, geology, or a closely related field, while demonstrating a high level of proficiency in essential areas such as theoretical modelling, advanced planetary data analysis techniques, and/or geological analysis
(3H) Planetary geology, exploration and space operations on Mars and the Moon - E66E23000110001
Funding institution: Università degli Studi "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti - Pescara
Doctoral site: Department of Engineering and Geology, Università degli Studi "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti - Pescara
Contact: Prof. Gian Gabriele Ori [giangabriele.ori [at] unich.it]
Funds: NRRP, M4C1 inv. 4.1, NRRP research
Mobility abroad: compulsory, minimum 6 months
Periods in companies/research centres/public administrations: optional
Analysis of the surfaces of Mars and the Moon to support their explorations by analysing the processes that formed the planetary surfaces and their position in the geological history. The successful candidate is also expected to be involved in the analysis of the exploratory operations by supporting the Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) of the spacecrafts and the mobility at the surface. An important part of the exploration involves the Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) of the landing and, also, of the mobile elements such as teleoperated rovers and guided vehicles during surface proximity operations. To perform this latter phase, it will be necessary apply virtual and augmented reality on surface data and geotechnical analysis.
(3I) Scientific and technological challenge for the italian curation facility - E66E23000110001
Funding institution: University of Florence
Doctoral site: University of Florence – Fondazione ParSeC – Parco delle Scienze e della Cultura - Prato
Contact: Prof. Giovanni Pratesi [g.pratesi [at] unifi.it]
Funds: NRRP, M4C1 inv. 4.1, NRRP research
Mobility abroad: compulsory, minimum 6 months
Periods in companies/research centres/public administrations: optional
Space "sample return" missions are particularly important because they provide unique scientific information. Samples of celestial bodies brought to Earth by space probes allow us to perform sophisticated analyses using a wide range of scientific equipment that can complement and enhance measurements made directly in situ by space probes. Some scientific studies, such as isotopic measurements that allow absolute dating of planetary surfaces, can only be conducted in laboratories on Earth and not remotely or with space probes. For these reasons, space exploration is increasingly moving toward sample return missions. In this context, it is crucial for a country active in the space sector like Italy to have a structure for the centralized management of samples. The research will start with a global survey of existing facilities and solutions. Based on the data acquired, new scientific and technological solutions will then be studied, as well as procedures to improve and make more efficient the existing ones in order to make the Italian Curation of Extraterrestrial Material an international reference facility.
(3J) Unveiling Mars through the investigation of meteorites and terrestrial analogues
Funding institution: Italian Space Agency
Doctoral site: University of Florence – Florence & Italian Space Agency
Contact: Prof. Giovanni Pratesi [g.pratesi [at] unifi.it] - Dr. Eleonora Ammannito [eleonora.ammannito [at] asi.it]
Funds: Own Funds
Mobility abroad: compulsory, minimum 6 months
Periods in companies/research centres/public administrations: optional
The activities of the student will be included in the context of the Sample Return missions and in particular the Mars Sample Return (MSR). MSR is a joint NASA-ESA program that aims to bring samples taken from the surface of Mars to Earth for analysis in laboratories.
Among the scientific objectives of the MSR program, ASI is interested in supporting a student to carry out experimental activities including the conservation, classification, cataloguing, management of samples aimed at guaranteeing the adequate scientific valorization of the MSR samples.
Specifically, the work plan will be focused on the characterization of the geological environments through the analysis of samples (terrestrial analogues and/or meteorites) to interpret the primary geological processes and the evolutionary history that led to the current Martian geological configuration and its structure as a planet, with particular attention to the role of water and volatiles.
(3K) Looking for life: Martian biogenic minerals
Funding institution: Italian Space Agency
Doctoral site: University of Florence – Florence & Italian Space Agency
Contact: Prof. Giovanni Pratesi [g.pratesi [at] unifi.it] - Dr. Micol Bellucci [micol.bellucci [at] asi.it]
Funds: Own Funds
Mobility abroad: compulsory, minimum 6 months
Periods in companies/research centres/public administrations: optional
The activities of the student will be included in the context of the Sample Return missions and in particular the Mars Sample Return (MSR). MSR is a joint NASA-ESA program that aims to bring samples taken from the surface of Mars to Earth for analysis in laboratories.
Among the scientific objectives of the MSR program, ASI is interested in supporting a student to carry out experimental activities including the conservation, classification, cataloguing, management of samples aimed at guaranteeing the adequate scientific valorization of the MSR samples.
Specifically, the work plan will be focused on life sciences and astrobiology. The student will be evaluating and interpreting the biological potential of Mars working on terrestrial analogues and/or meteorites investigating the interaction between organic molecules and inorganic substrate.