Geohealth is the integration of geographic information, technologies and spatial concepts with epidemiology. During the COVID19 pandemic we have seen the importance geospatial technologies and geographic data play in monitoring the distribution and diffusion of the outbreak. We are particularly interested in leveraging diverse data sources to understand changing risks of health and disease both across space and time. As part of this we need to develop methods and tools that can be effectively integrated into a framework that enhances decision-making processes and provides sustainable solutions.

Your role is to develop methods, processes and openly accessible tools that will allow us to assess dynamically changing risks of health and disease across space and time. Although some of the work will start with covid19, other disease systems will be examined that consider environment-host-pathogen interactions and may include but are not limited to vector-borne diseases and vaccine-preventable diseases. To ensure transfer and use of these methods and tools, you will also be expected to create engaging and interactive educational resources that can be embedded into the Geohealth curriculum and design experiments that will allow us to quantify the impact of these tools and education materials.

You have:

• A doctoral degree related to handling and processing of large datasets for health and educational applications such as geography, public health, biology, biostatistics, spatial epidemiology, spatial engineering
• Experience with handling large and complex datasets through programming and/or scripting solutions
• A background in the development of methods and applications in health with a focus on handling spatial and temporal data, data analytics and visualizations, artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Competency in working with multiple of the following platforms/languages (e.g. R, Python, C++, java)
• Competency in developing educational resources and application, gaming approaches to teaching, open sharing of material and applications (e.g. Github and/or other platforms)
• Experience in the use and application of GIScience
• Experience in online/distance learning modes of education
• Experience in development of web based dashboards and analytics
• Experience in undertaking international project work and enthusiasm to work in all regions where ITC is active
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• An excellent command of English

We offer you an inspiring multidisciplinary and challenging international and academic environment. The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues in which internationalization is an important part of the strategic agenda.

You will be employed for 3 years. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement (CAO-NU) of the Dutch Universities.

• Gross monthly salary between € 2,790.- and € 4,402.- depending on experience and qualifications in case of fulltime employment (job profile Researcher level 4 )
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• A solid pension scheme;
• A minimum of 41 holiday days in case of fulltime employment;
• Excellent support for research and facilities for professional and personal development
• Costs for moving to Enschede may be reimbursed.

The Department of Earth Observation Sciences combines earth observation science knowledge with spatial modelling and advanced remote sensing to understand spatial distribution of disease across space and time. Our education and research contribute to the development of quality educational resources and tools that can be used to understand changing risks and direct policies that can lead to improvement of the health and wellbeing of the population.