PostDoc in Remote Sensing and geospatial Artificial Intelligence Integration

The Laboratory of Geo-information Science and Remote Sensing at Wageningen University seeks talented and enthusiastic candidates for a postdoctoral appointment in Remote Sensing of the land surface, with a strong interest in the integration of geospatial Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning. 

Are you enthusiastic about the chance to combine research in Remote Sensing and AI with teaching and student supervision? Have you recently earned a PhD in Remote Sensing, or are you about to finish your PhD, and feel inspired to share your expertise with the next generation while advancing your own research and lecturing/supervision skills? If so, we invite you to read on!

We seek a scholar with interests and expertise in advancing the science and applications of Remote Sensing, who is also enthusiastic about incorporating AI-based and data-driven methods to extract new insights from Earth Observation data. We are particularly interested in candidates working on land-oriented applications such as agriculture, biodiversity, forestry, urban-rural interface, human-environment systems and/or climate change impacts. Further, we search for a candidate who can educate and inspire the next generation of Remote Sensing experts. We offer an exciting opportunity to combine your passion for education with cutting-edge research: you will divide your time equally between teaching Remote Sensing and GIS at bachelor and master levels and advancing research about the integration of cutting-edge AI and machine learning as tools to enhance the analysis, interpretation, and scalability of Remote Sensing data. The successful candidate will contribute actively to research, education, and collaboration within a transdisciplinary environment. 

The research is embedded within the chair Laboratory of Geo-information Science and Remote Sensing (GRS), which is led by Prof. de Beurs and Prof. de Bruin. You will be supervised by Dr. Kirsten de Beurs and Dr. Harm Bartholomeus. GRS is a multidisciplinary group with excellent expertise in the study of vegetation and land use dynamics from local to global scales. Within the Remote Sensing group, we use a combination of advanced methods and modelling approaches applied to the full range of Remote Sensing imagery for land monitoring, from UAV and airborne platforms to imaging spectroscopy, optical to SAR satellite data at a global scale. Increasingly, our work integrates AI and machine learning approaches to process and interpret large and complex Remote Sensing datasets. When joining our group, you will also join the wider and growing ecosystem of WUR, where artificial intelligence is further developed and applied across many exciting fields relevant to sustainability and the environment. 

In this challenging career trajectory:

• You conduct research on the integration of Remote Sensing and cutting-edge AI methods.
• You publish your findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals and present your results at conferences.
• Lecture in BSc and MSc courses offered by the GRS chair group.
• Collaborate with colleagues and supervise BSc and MSc theses.
• You contribute to the further development of the Laboratory of Geo-information Science and Remote Sensing.

You are/have

• A PhD degree in Remote Sensing, geo-information science, data science, geography, or related field.
• Experience with and a passion for delivering high-quality education at BSc and MSc levels and eager to further develop educational skills according to the UTQ.
• In-depth knowledge of the fundamentals of Remote Sensing of the land surface with experience in data processing from relevant instruments and sensors.
• A strong team player willing to contribute to the wider interests of the group and the university.
• Demonstrated ability in applying AI and machine learning methods in Earth Observation and geospatial analysis.
• Experience with big data processing and cloud computing environments and proficiency in scientific programming.
• An emerging track record of peer-reviewed papers.
• Excellent English oral communication and writing skills (C1 level).

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;
• 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. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between € 3.546,- and € 5.538,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10). As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended - if possible within (company) organizational circumstances - on good performance, for one more year. 

We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. 

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. 

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, dual career programs 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.

For more information about the position, please contact Prof.dr. Kirsten de Beurs, via kirsten.debeurs@wur.nl.
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jessa Rozema, Corporate Recruiter, via jessa.rozema-stol@wur.nl .

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 August 20th, 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before 27 July 2026

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.

​The 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.

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