We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated postdoc to work on a multidisciplinary research project on machine learning methods to enable data-driven decisions at a farm level, from yield prediction to fertilizer optimization. You will be part of the Digital Future Farm project, a flagship project of Wageningen University and Research, working together with field experts from several science groups, and contribute to a new understanding on emerging data-driven innovations for agricultural production and food security.

The main goal of the Digital Future Farm project is to create a "digital twin" of arable and dairy farms able to mimic farm process interactions and allow for the exploration of interventions. To achieve this aim, the project puts together multifaceted, multiscale data (from remote sensing, IoT sensors, farm-management systems) and process-based models in a common infrastructure. Part of the project is to investigate new applications artificial intelligence, as machine learning, deep learning, and reinforcement learning techniques to improve decision-making at a farm-level. Using real and simulated data you will be challenged to design and implement artificial intelligence models for estimating farm yields and nutrients application, and evaluate their performance using the Digital Future Farm project case studies. Your overarching ambition will be a methodological contribution in the area of machine learning applications for farm-level decision making.

The candidate will be hosted with the Geo-Information Science and Remote Sensing Laboratory at Wageningen University. Check out our page with news, recent publications and projects.

• You have a PhD in machine learning, artificial intelligence or data science, and interest to apply your knowledge to the agricultural domains, or a PhD in natural sciences with strong background in data-driven modelling using machine learning;
• You are able to work both independently and as part of a team;
• You have a good record of accomplishment in your field, evidenced by high-quality publications;
• Ability to present research to colleagues;
• Ability to write effective scientific papers;
• You like to collaborate with, and work in, interdisciplinary research teams;
• You are a team player with good organisational and communication skills.

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

• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional 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 competitive gross salary of between € 2.836,-and € 5.211,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10-11). We offer a contract for 16 months, with the opportunity to be extended.

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 16th consecutive time.

Wageningen University & Research

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.

Read the 5 reasons why your future collaegues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!

We are the Laboratory of Geo-Information Science and Remote Sensing of Wageningen University. Our fundamental research and education concerns our living environment: nature, landscape, land use, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, water management, and various claims on space. The laboratory is very international in terms of staff and student composition, and has a strong team on the interface between environmental sciences and artificial intelligence.