Postdoc position on digital twin modelling for predator monitoring and meadow bird conservation

Your job

The Earth Systems and global Change Group at Wageningen University offers a challenging postdoc position. The position encompasses innovative modelling approaches in a dynamic environment where technology, ecology and nature conservation meet.

High tech biodiversity monitoring

This project is part of a RAAK-PRO project called ‘Boeren, burgers en buitenbeesten’, which aims to translate state-of-the-art monitoring data (drones, camera traps and citizen science) into insights that facilitate more effective management of meadow bird populations, predators and agri-environmental systems in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.

Together with stakeholders you will develop digital twin models, updated with a continuous stream of field data, to support the year-round monitoring of the predation risk for meadow-bird management. This requires translating data and ecological knowledge into facts and actionable information (intelligence) for land managers. The development of such models will consist of the following tasks:

• processing various streams of real-time data (camera trap images, GPS collars, citizen science observations, and GIS maps covering environmental data) and building API-driven pipelines for those data;
• combining various ecological modelling techniques and developing new algorithms for mechanistic digital twins of the predator - meadow birds - land management – nexus;
• running simulations and experiments in an interactive real-time testing environment;
• developing informative visualisations that support land use decision making;
• deploying the digital twins with the help of Docker;
• supervising and guiding MSc students;
• taking the lead in writing scientific publications on the project’s findings.

During the project there will be ample opportunities for field visits to the study areas where various species of meadow birds still thrive. More information on digital twins in ecology can be found here.

Your qualities

You have:

• a PhD degree in ecology, environmental science, animal science, biology, geography or related field;
• alternatively, a PhD degree in the field of data science if the candidate can demonstrate an adept understanding of ecology;
• a strong quantitative background;
• creativity in applying various existing models and developing new algorithms for real-time digital twins;
• basic understanding of ecology such as predator-prey interaction, movement ecology, habitat suitability modelling, and animal behaviour;
• programming, modelling and/or data science skills with e.g., Python or R;
• the ability to attune model outputs to the information needs of stakeholders;
• strong communication skills and the ability to closely collaborate with various partners in an applied working environment;
• fluency in English. For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognized Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here;
• fluency in Dutch is a pre, as most of the field partners are Dutch.

We offer you

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

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• 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 December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between €3.226 ,- and €5.090 ,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10).

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 19^th consecutive time.

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.

Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

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 and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, 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 this position, please contact Dr.Ir. Koen de Koning, Earth Systems and Global Change Group, Wageningen University, by email: koen.dekoning@wur.nl 

For more information about the procedure, please contact Noorien Abbas, corporate recruiter, by email: noorien.abbas@wur.nl

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including May 6^th 2024. The preferred starting date for this position is 1^st June 2024.

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.

We are

Wageningen University & Research
TThe mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!


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