Senior researcher Artificial Intelligence for the environment

We are looking for

Are you a highly motivated Artificial Intelligence 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!

For our Applied Spatial Research Team we are looking for an experienced colleague with a track record in artificial intelligence and data science and in the interpretation of results of AI within the environmental domain. As a senior researcher and expertise leader, you draw up a knowledge agenda in consultation with the team and coach the team members on the required expertise development. You proactively contribute to the visibility of the expertise and together with your team member researchers you ensure the acquisition of new projects. 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.

Applied Spatial Research is a very diverse group of researcher: Geodesk, landscape architects, data quality expertise centre, software developers, 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 !
We ask

• a PhD or masters 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

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;
• the option to accrue additional compensation hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• 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 December bonus of 4%;
• 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 €4.149,- and €6.229,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the

CLA Wageningen Research

(scale 12). Additionally, a contract for 32 hours can be discussed.

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 multi-faceted position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

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 to find housing, schooling, and other issues. Furthermore, WUR offers a dual career program for groups of partners and besides that a specialized organization  that will assist your one on one to find a job or start a business in the Netherlands.

More information

For more information about this position, please contact Jan Dirk Bulens, [email protected]

For more information 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 September 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 .

We are

Wageningen University & Research
The mission of Wageningen University and 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 and 13.200 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen’s unique approach. WUR has been named Best Employer in the Education category for 2019-2020.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video 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.