Postdoc Position in Geography

Join the faculty of Geosciences as a postdoctoral researcher! You will work on carbon turnover models and the fusion of data science forecasting methods with process-based models (hybrid modelling) to map soil and biomass carbon fluxes across Europe at high resolution.

Your job

This position is embedded in a multi-institutional EU-funded project Intergenerational Open Geospatial Carbon Registry (OGCR). The project is aimed at quantifying and mapping carbon storage potential and future carbon removal and carbon farming policy scenarios, integrating process-based knowledge with machine learning.

You will work closely with the Utrecht University team and OpenGeoHub together with other project partners, to develop and implement surrogate and hybrid modelling frameworks, produce pan-European maps of carbon storage potential, and contribute to interactive visualisation and dissemination of results tailored to stakeholder needs.

Your key responsibilities include:

• simulating carbon reduction potential at parcel level under climate change scenarios across Europe;
• design and implement geospatial hybrid and mechanistic modelling frameworks using process-informed machine learning and data augmentation for soil and biomass carbon forecasts;
• developing a computational framework for data production in cooperation with Research Software Engineers;
• collaborating and coordinating with partners across Europe: data sharing, code exchange, joint publications and reporting.

Your qualities

• You hold a PhD (or near completion) in Soil Science, Environmental Modelling, Biogeochemistry, Geosciences, or a related field with a focus on process-based modelling skills.
• You have extensive experience with process-based soil carbon models (e.g., RothC, Millennial) or similar carbon turnover modules.
• You have a background in machine learning for spatial data (e.g., random forest, neural networks) or are open acquiring these skills.
• You have experience with handling large geospatial datasets and remote sensing/climate data.
• You have programming skills in Python and/or R; you are familiar with reproducible coding and automated geospatial data analysis.
• You have excellent scientific writing and communication skills in English.
• You show willingness to collaborate in multidisciplinary teams and to mentor students.

The following qualities are assets, but not required:

• prior work on hybrid modelling approaches or process-informed machine learning;
• experience with European soil/land-use datasets (e.g., LUCAS) and familiarity with EU agricultural practices;
• a publication record in soil carbon modelling or digital soil mapping.

If you do not meet all the requirements, but you are convinced that you would be a good fit for this position we warmly invite you to apply.

Our offer

• A position of 1.0 FTE for 36 months or 0.8 FTE for 45 months;
• access to computational resources (HPC), GIS/data infrastructure, and datasets via collaborative networks;
• a supportive, interdisciplinary research environment within the Faculty of Geosciences, national research institutes, and EU consortia;
• opportunities to lead subprojects, co-supervise MSc students, and build your academic profile;
• a gross monthly salary between €3,546 and €5,538 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employmentlaid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

About us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

More information

For more information about this position, please contact Dr Madlene Nussbaum at m.nussbaum@uu.nl.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Note that international candidates that need a visa/work permit for the Netherlands require at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance. This will be arranged with help of the International Service Desk (ISD) of our university. Finding appropriate housing in or near Utrecht is your own responsibility, but the ISD may be able to advise you therewith. In case of general questions about working and living in The Netherlands, please consult the Dutch Mobility Portal.

Apply now

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation, via the ‘apply now’ button.

Job interviews will be held on 22 and 23 September 2025.

The application deadline is 12 September 2025.