Assistant or Associate Professor in Artificial Intelligence for (Geo) Spatial Data Science and eXtended Realities

The chair group of geo- (spatial) information science, in collaboration with Wageningen Data Competence Center (WDCC ), invites applications from talented and enthusiastic scientists and educators for the position of Assistant (UD) or Associate Professor (UHD) in Artificial Intelligence (AI). As part of a rapidly growing team, the candidate is expected to develop innovative scientific research and education at the interface of AI, spatial sciences, and eXtended realities.

Our group's vision is to develop a strong combination of expertise in artificial intelligence and geo or spatial information science including advanced visualization (XR) to develop new research pathways addressing challenges and opportunities from both domains. This position is intended to further extend the expertise in artificial intelligence in the group. Candidates are expected to connect their expertise in AI to geo or spatial information science (including XR).

The focus of this position will be on researching opportunities and potentials in addressing grand AI research challenges (for more details see the Artificial Intelligence Research Agenda for the Netherlands ) and their interface with spatial information science, eXtended realities, and associated disciplines, research and education.

The candidate’s expertise and vision will be in line with the thematic domains of the GRS group: from immersive technologies (see also WANDER initiative ), simulations, serious games, smart environments, smart cities, urban computing, spatial-temporal modeling, spatial cognition, human spatial behavior, and digital humanities to agriculture, nature conservation, and land use characterization. Contributions to our existing teaching portfolio, including deep learning and machine learning courses, are expected.

We are looking for a highly motivated Artificial Intelligence researcher with a track record in artificial intelligence and spatialdata science. The selected candidate will be involved in the submission of proposals to the AINed Fellowship Grant programme . It provides the opportunity to receive funding for 3 Ph.D. plus 2 internally funded Ph.D. positions directly connected to this position.

Tenure Track is a career path for inspirational scientists who pursue excelling in education and research. We seek to attract scientific talent and stimulate and support their development.

• a Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Geo (-Spatial) Information Science, Mathematics, or a related field;
• excellent academic track record (research, passion for teaching, attracting research funding) in line with the expected profile for a Tenure Track at Wageningen University;
• ability to lead in developing a vision on future research and education in Artificial Intelligence for Geo (-Spatial) Information Science (including XR) and be an inspiring ambassador our theme towards partners both within and outside academia, nationally and internationally
• excellent communication skills in English

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, we offer a full-time position as Assistant or Associate Professor. Evaluation on job performance is every three years, and a positive outcome will continue in a permanent position after 6 years. Salary depends on knowledge and experience and will range from a minimum of € 3.974,- to a maximum of € 5.439 (assistant professor position), and € 5.506,- to a maximum of € 6181,- (associate professor position) based on full time employment.

We offer you a career trajectory called Tenure Track. From the position of Assistant or Associate Professor we can provide a great environment for you to grow, excel and work within the department to make a difference in our field and develop towards a Professor holding a Personal Chair; including the chance to build up your own research line and research group. Training and coaching are provided, as well as opportunities to work part-time.

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 16th 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. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief , known as the 30% ruling. 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 helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

To learn more about this position, please contact Prof.dr. Alexander Klippel, chair holder Geo-information Science, [email protected] .

For questions about the procedure, please contact Edgar Tijhuis, corporate recruiter, [email protected]

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 Nov. 5th, 2022.

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. For more information please go to our inclusivity page . A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment .

Wageningen University & Research
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, 7,200 employees (6,400 fte) and 13,200 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 this video to get an idea of our green campus!

The laboratory of Geo-Information Science and Remote Sensing is part of the Department of Environmental Sciences. The Department’s fundamental research and education concerns our living environment: nature, landscape, land use, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, water management, and various competing claims on space.

The mission of our laboratory is to advance spatial competences for a sustainable world through research and education. The education that conveys this mission is offered in a variety of BSc programmes of Wageningen University and concentrated in the MSc Geo-information Science of Wageningen University and the joint MSc in Geographical Information Management and Applications (GIMA). The research of the laboratory has a fundamental character with a clear link to the mission of Wageningen University to provide Science for Impact. Our research agenda is represented in five themes:

In recent years the laboratory received excellent review in both research and education and is very international in terms of staff and student composition.

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