Wageningen University & Research and Utrecht University are currently setting up The Netherlands Plant Eco-phenotyping Centre (NPEC) for large-scale phenotyping of plants for research purposes. This new facility will use state-of-the-art sensor technology and will generate and process terabytes of data on a weekly basis. We are looking for an enthusiastic and versatile IT systems architect to help us connect various elements of the facility we are building to a central database and make this accessible to users throughout the country. Data sources include high-res cameras, drones and other mobile (semi-) autonomous vehicles. The measurements will be stored in and made available to researchers through a platform called the Plant Phenomics Information System (PHIS). Sensors and PHIS need to be connected through (custom) APIs and the IT infrastructure supporting these efforts needs to be developed further. Giving data management advice and supporting researchers in using PHIS are important parts of the job.

We offer a research-minded workplace where you have the opportunity to explore new technologies and work at the forefront of plant research. WUR has a strong international profile and a large number of young researchers; a state-of-the art computational infrastructure. We encourage employees to further develop themselves through courses, training and conferences.

We are looking for an open and communicative IT systems architect with extensive knowledge of APIs. The successful candidate has a background in sensor technology, IT infrastructure or computer science at Bachelor or Master level. Key requirements are:

• Skilled Python developer.
• Knowledge of and experience with setting up Apache Tomcat, PHP and MongoDB, the platforms underlying PHIS.
• Proven user of version control systems and code sharing platforms such as Git.
• Working knowledge of container platforms (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Knowledge of and experience with network design and configuration, distributed file systems and user administration systems.

Additional, preferred, requirements:

• Experience in working with sensor technology.
• Programming experience in R and/or Java.
• Experience with AWS, Azure, Google Cloud or OpenShift.
• Demonstrable ability to communicate IT-related topics to non-IT people.
• Ability to work independently as part of a large team.
• Familiarity with working in a research setting.

We encourage candidates to provide links in their letter to public repositories to which they significantly contributed.
This position requires a good English language proficiency (a mininum of CEFR B2 level). For more information about this proficiency level, please visit our special language page.

A challenging position with, depending on your experience, a competitive salary from a minimum of € 2709 to a maximum of € 4274 for a full working week of 38 hours in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement Dutch Universities (scale 10). The position is initially for 1 year after which a go/no-go decision will be taken on extension with another year.

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, the option to purchase extra and good supplementary leave schemes;
• a flexible working time: the possibility to work a maximum of 2 hours per week extra and thereby to build up extra leave;
• 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.

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.