Postdoc Evaluating Soil Hydrological Modelling at the Global Scale using Big Data

 

Do you have a thorough understanding of soil hydrological process modelling? Are you well-informed on land surface and global hydrological models and do a few terabytes not scare you? Do you like to critically reflect on the origins and pitfalls of current hydrological modelling practices? Then our postdoc vacancy at the Hydrology and Quantitative Water Management (HWM) Group could be the ideal next step in your career!

As postdoc you will focus on ‘The Spatial Limitations of Knowledge’ project that aims to advance spatial hydrology using ‘Big Data’ approaches. Globally applied models rely on process descriptions that are not equally valid in all climates or environments. This is especially true for soil parameterizations, which are often based on pedo-transfer functions developed in very specific settings. Your challenge will be to take existing simulations from global land surface and hydrological models and confront them with ground and remote sensing observations using advanced data analysis techniques. You will critically reflect on the influence of model choices and practices on the results to propose a way forward for global modelling. You will be able to draw on expertise on soil physics, hydrological and land surface modelling, remote sensing and machine learning within HWM and elsewhere in WUR, as well as our strong network of national and international collaborators.

Aside from research, you will spend up to 20% of your time developing the education aspects of your academic career through course-based teaching and (co-) supervision of MSc and PhD research projects. More info about the Hydrology and Quantitative Water Management Group can be found here.

We ask

• PhD degree in a relevant field of environmental science or data science;
• Experience using advanced techniques to analyze large multi-dimensional data;
• Understanding of soil physics and soil parameterizations in large-scale hydrology or land surface models;
• Ability to critically reflect on the role of uncertainty and bias in modelling practice;
• A record of accomplishment in your field evidenced by high-quality publications;
• Strong verbal, visual and written communication skills;
• Ability to work with and in interdisciplinary research teams as well as independently;
• Team player with good organizational and communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion in scholarship, teaching and service.

We offer

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

• 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 contract for 24 months and a competitive gross salary of between € 2.846,- and € 4.490,- 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 17th 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.

More information

For more information about this position, please contact dr. Lieke Melsen (lieke.melsen@wur.nl), dr. Martine van der Ploeg (martine.vanderploeg@wur.nl) or prof. Albert van Dijk, Chair HWM (albert.vandijk@wur.nl).

For more information about the procedure, please contact Edgar Tijhuis, corporate recruiter, edgar.tijhuis@wur.nl

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly, by uploading your CV and motivation letter, 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 18 March 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, 6.800 employees and 12.900 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.

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

Apply now