Application Deadline: 1st of August 2025
Possible start date: 1st of October 2025
Duration: 4 years,
Job location: Waldeck Pyrmonthlaan 14, Doorwerth, the Netherlands
Brutto monthly salary: starts at €3.050 gross per month (with possible bonuses)
Fields: pedometrics, physical geography, environmental sciences, process-based modeling, carbon fluxes, high performance computing
Employer: OpenGeoHub Foundation
Job description
OpenGeoHub foundation is a not-for-profit research foundation with headquarters at Doorwerth (half way between Wageningen and Arnhem), the Netherlands. We aim to become world experts in producing global and regional spatial predictions of soil, vegetation and climatic variables. For this, we use high performance computing / optimisation and state-of-the-art machine learning.
OpenGeoHub foundation is looking for a junior researcher / PhD candidate in the field of pedometrics and geo-computation (programming in R, Python, Bash, Julia and similar), specifically focused on using state-of-the-art process-based modeling combined with machine learning algorithms and GIS software to help implement hybrid modelling frameworks with physically-constrained machine learning to quantify past, current and future carbon storage. You would work for OpenGeoHub on current and future European Commission-funded and other international projects where there is a need to develop new solutions for geocomputing, optimize and automate modeling frameworks and deliver scientific outputs in a timely manner. You would primarily contribute to the Horizon Europe project Open Geospatial Carbon Registry (OGCR), but also actively contribute to the EcoDataCube.eu and the AI4SoilHealth.eu projects.
A formal program of PhD study will be organized jointly with the Computational Geography group at the Utrecht University (Prof. dr. Derek Karssenberg and Dr. Madlene Nussbaum). This implies that you would spend a significant amount of time writing and publishing research results in peer-reviewed journals, meeting with supervisors (bi-weekly), following PhD courses (organized through the UU postgraduate school) and networking with other researchers. You would have to prepare and submit a research proposal after 6 months from the start of the position, which would be evaluated at the postgraduate school level independently. OpenGeoHub would provide HPC infrastructure and would lead and supervise the candidate jointly with colleagues from UU and other partner organizations on the OGCR project.
You would also be encouraged to network with other researchers and groups world leaders in their fields. OpenGeoHub works closely with IIASA (Geo-wiki.org), Utrecht University (Computational Geography), Wageningen University (Laboratory of Geo-information Science and Remote Sensing), EURAC Research, The Woodwell Climate Research Center, Max-Planck-Institute for Biogeochemistry (Biogeochemical Integration Department), Institute for Geoinformatics (ifgi) / University of Münster, GFZ Helmholtz German Research Centre for Geosciences, GiLAB.rs, and many other organizations. Our clients / collaborating organizations also include: World Resources Institute, The Nature Conservancy, UNCCD, Conservation International and others.
“Imagine a world where our knowledge of physics and machine learning are fused into making the most accurate, most cost-effective predictions, including the predictions of our future.”
Your profile
Minimum requirements:
- You have an MSc degree in the field of physics, environmental science and/or geoinformatics and/or remote sensing; combined with a background in GIS, geocomputation, environmetrics and/or pedometrics.
- You have minimum coding & geocomputing skills in programming languages such as Python, Bash, R, and/or Julia.
- You are familiar with OSGeo tools especially GDAL, QGIS and similar.
- You are competent at, and enjoy developing computational notebooks, debugging and problem solving using code.
- You have a high affinity to learn and teach / share knowledge across borders.
- You are fluent in English.
- Note: for non-EU citizens, the Dutch Immigration rules from 2022 indicate minimum conditions requirements for a working work and residence permit visa (provisional residence permit) for the Netherlands.
INFORMATION AND APPLICATION
Questions:
Questions regarding this position can be directed to Tom Hengl, email: tom.hengl@opengeohub.org . Applications, including (1) a CV, (2) a statement of your interest and vision, and (3) a self-assessment based on the minimum requirements, should be uploaded via this link. Please prepare all documents as a PDF before starting the application.
Our offer:
We offer a full-time position for 4 years, with possible extension, within a very stimulating international innovation and research environment aiming at solving global and regional environmental problems at large scales. You will work in a dynamic work environment with enthusiastic colleagues usually from a variety of countries.
- Starting salary will be €3.050 gross per month with possible bonuses;
- A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary;
- Minimum of 29 holidays if in full-time employment;
- Professional and personal development programs.
We strongly encourage a high degree of responsibility and independence, while collaborating with other colleagues. Flexible hours and occasional remote working are also possible upon agreement with the OpenGeoHub Management Board.
