Do you want to contribute to international landscape development projects? Are you looking for a diverse team where you can share your knowledge and learn in international foreign aid /development context?

The Farming Systems Ecology (FSE) Group of Wageningen University & Research focuses on the analysis and redesign of farming systems and foodscapes, so that they deliver multiple benefits to humankind, using natural processes as our starting point.
As part of our portfolio, we work on knowledge development for sustainable land-use. We analyze and design agricultural systems where we combine food production with strengthening nature, landscape and quality of life. We are looking for an enthusiastic new colleague who, together with us, develops models and databases for research and education.

We are looking for a full-time Data modeller / Software engineer to become part of the team that works on large, multidisciplinary, multi stakeholder and strategically valuable set of projects. These projects are focused on the joint development of a set of tools we call the portable Interactive Landscape Lab. This Lab will be used for catchment level deployment (in two regions in Ethiopia) and a web-based Dashboard for Monitoring and Impact assessment of catchment efforts for use at the national level (Ethiopia wide).
These projects will be executed as a close, iteratively co-designed collaboration of various international organisations. You as a developer will ensure outputs are co-designed and strategically integrated with the needs of various projects from lead partners as well as alignment with other partners.

What will you be doing?
You will work on a diverse set of responsibilities:

• Develop, adapt and test the scientific models for students and researchers, but also for land-use planners, agricultural entrepreneurs and information officers at home and abroad. These models are used in analyzing and crafting innovative methods in agriculture.
• Use research data and knowledge gathered by junior and senior researchers for the development of the modular approach models and databases.
• Play a central role in translating knowledge into software: contribute to the specification of requirements, draw up functional and technical designs, build and test databases and models, and finally execute simulations and explorations.
• Work closely with your own research group, project partners abroad and the international students of Wageningen University.
• Your talents are in the field of design and realization of software and databases. In your work you take initiative, you work closely with others and you are thorough by your approach and seek to contribute to sustainable development in agriculture.

You will build up experience with our way of working. We combine the following principles that characterise our group:

• diversity of approaches and outcomes, tailored to local conditions;
• redesign of foodscapes based on ecological processes;
• equitability and social responsibility;
• fostering multi-functionality and synergies;
• engagement, collaboration and reflection.

We are looking for you if you match the following qualifications:

• you have a degree at academic or poly-tech level (MSc or BSc) in computer science or a similar direction;
• at least 2 years of experience with object-oriented programming in MS Visual Studio .NET (C#/C++) or Java;
• demonstrable experience with creating and maintaining databases, in particular relational DBs such as MS Access or SQLite, and GIS tools such as ArcGIS or QGIS;
• knowledge of agriculture, landscape management and/or sustainable development in food systems is a pro but certainly not a requirement';
• validated affinity for integrative analysis (qualitative and/or quantitative). Experience with programming and/or development of model user interfaces;
• proven affinity with the application of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality applications;
• excellent communication skills in for both establishing and maintaining client relationships and for communicating complex technical information to colleagues and public audiences;
• ability to perform under stress, meet tight timelines and quickly adapt to evolving project.
• sensitive to the requirements of working across multiple cultural working environments.
• Fluency in English (spoken and written) is essential.

A challenging position with, depending on your experience, a gross salary from a minimum of € 2.709,to a maximum of € 4.274,- for a fulltime working week of 38 hours in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement Dutch Universities (scale 10).

We offer you a temporary contract of 1 year with the intention to extend to 24 months in total (project related). This may be extended, subject to availability of funding and a satisfactory performance.
In addition, we offer:

• 8% holiday allowance;
• a structural year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent training opportunities and secondary employment conditions;
• flexible working hours and holidays can possibly be determined in consultation so that an optimal balance between work and private life is possible;
• excellent pension plan through ABP;
• 232 vacation hours with the option to purchase extra supplementary leave schemes;
• a choice model to put together part of your employment conditions yourself, such as a bicycle plan;
• a lively workplace where you can easily make contacts and where many activities take place on the Wageningen Campus. A place where education, research and business are represented;
• use the sports facilities on our campus.

Wageningen University & Research stimulates internal career opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are ample opportunities for own initiative in a learning environment. We offer a versatile job in an international environment with varied activities in a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is "To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life". Within Wageningen University & Research, nine specialised research institutes from the Wageningen Research Foundation and Wageningen University have joined forces to help answer the most important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.

With approximately 30 locations, 5,000 employees, and 10,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain worldwide. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of the unique approach of Wageningen.

For further information about working at Wageningen University & Research, take a look at thespecial career site.