Senior researcher Geospatial Artificial Intelligence for the environment Wageningen • Wageningen University & Research

Seeking a dynamic Senior GeoAI Expert passionate about environmental applications and research leadership. A fantastic opportunity to work on a vibrant green campus, tailor research propositions, lead interdisciplinary teams, and collaborate internationally. Benefit from a flexible work-life balance, sabbatical and study leave options, and sports facilities access. Join a diverse team committed to sustainable spatial solutions and make a global impact through innovative GeoAI applications. Read on to discover how you can shine in this role.

Your job

Are you a highly motivated Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI) researcher with a passion for environmental applications? Are you experienced in developing research lines by seeking funding and building research teams? And do you want to work on a fantastic green campus and make a positive impact with your work? Then this could be the ideal position for you!

We are seeking a Senior GeoAI Expert with a strong track record in geospatial artificial intelligence, data science, and environmental analytics. You have demonstrated expertise in interpreting and applying AI-based results within environmental domains such as land use, climate adaptation, biodiversity monitoring, or ecosystem management.  Mentor and guide researchers in applying advanced GeoAI methods, enhance the domain’s scientific visibility through impactful research and collaborations, and lead project acquisition across national and international programmes.

Your most important activities will be that:

• you tailor the expertise propositions to policy, societal and market need and you actively contribute to the acquisition of new projects;
• you are actively involved in the execution of projects, for example in the role of project leader, in which you lead multidisciplinary research teams;
• you are a networker and you set up collaborations with colleagues in adjacent research areas within the Wageningen Environmental Research, within WUR, with relevant government organizations and with market parties, so that unique impactful applications of AI in the environmental space are created;
• you disseminate the research results in scientific publications, at conferences and stakeholder & client-oriented formats.

Your team
Applied Spatial Research is a very diverse group of researcher: Geodesk, landscape architects, data quality expertise centre, software developers, AI researchers, cartographers and spatial data/ information researchers. But what binds us is spatial data. We often act as a broker between policy, science and technology and always look for smart spatial solutions for a sustainable and economically responsible future at local, national and international level. We work in teams with an integrated and interdisciplinary approach, because we believe that co-creation and participatory research are important for success in the collaboration. View some great examples of our applied spatial research on this page!
Your qualities

• a PhD degree in computer science, artificial intelligence, mathematics or other relevant engineering degrees;
• three to five years of experience with knowledge development, applied research, IT projects and/or innovation processes;
• experience in leading multidisciplinary projects and acquisition of funding for research projects;
• excellent oral and written communication skills in English (C1 level), including experience in presenting and publishing research results;
• team worker, collaborative personality with visionary leadership

We offer you

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed year-end bonus of 8,3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. We offer, depending on your experience, a competitive gross salary of between €4.741,- and €7.068,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 12). Additionally, For this role a contract for 32 hours can be discussed. As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended - if possible within (company) organizational circumstances - on good performance. Of course, we are happy to have a conversation with you if you have any questions about this.

Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. If you come with a partner, we offer a Dual Career group program organized by our Welcome Center. This program helps your partner to get familiar with the Dutch culture, labour market and assists your partner to find a job.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.
Do you want more information?

For more information about the position, please contact Wies Vullings, team manager, via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina.

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jouke van Oostenbrugge, Corporate Recruiter, via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina..

Ready to apply?
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

You can apply until 24 November 2025. The interviews will take place on the  5th of December in the morning and the 9th of December in the afternoon.

Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

We are

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is ‘To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life’.

We pursue this mission through a synergistic approach between Wageningen University and Wageningen Research Foundation (applied research). Our research focuses on questions within the domains of food, living environment, and society. With approximately 30 locations, 7,700 staff members, 2,500 PhD candidates, and over 13,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is among the world’s leading knowledge institutions in its domain. The integral approach to challenges and the collaboration across various disciplines form the core of the unique Wageningen approach.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR.

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.