Food security remains a global challenge. ITC contributes to local and global food security initiatives by combining the latest EO technology with field, lab, numerical and artificial intelligence methods to better understand "where" certain crops are and "when", and "how" their production is affected by various biotic and abiotic stressors.

You have good experience in processing remote sensing data (preferably hyperspectral data) of vegetation covers. You will analyse various remote sensing data and deep learning to map crop boundaries by performing image analysis methods such as segmentation. You will also evaluate the stress in cereal crops by utilising physically based models (RTMs), empirical models, hyperspectral EO and field measurements to understand the crop stress effects on crop traits and remote sensing signatures.

You will also develop and maintain a strong presence in EO community involved in crop mapping and monitoring, perform field/lab spectral and physiological measurements and identify relevant research and capacity-building opportunities related to the use of EO in crop mapping and monitoring. Based on identified opportunities, you will pursue and attract funding that builds on ITC's geospatial expertise, develop scientific articles and publish them in ISI journals and develop material for case studies related to project works which could be brought into challenge-based components of ITC's M.Sc. programmes.

• A PhD in the field of geospatial sciences, agronomy, environmental sciences, and/or data science;
• Strong programming skills and competence in open-source high-level programming languages (e.g., Python and R);
• Working experience in crop mapping and monitoring, preferably related to stress assessment in agriculture;
• Demonstrated experience with low- and high-level geospatial computing tools and applications (e.g., GDAL, PDAL, PROJ, QGIS, Pangeo Stack, etc.). Experience with ML/AI frameworks is an asset;
• A good overview of current EO systems and derived products with preferable experience in hyperspectral data processing and application;
• Proven ability and enthusiasm to work in a range of international and interdisciplinary contexts;
• Demonstrated scientific creativity that has resulted in recent and relevant high-quality scientific publications in international journals;
• Experience in managing projects and writing project proposals is an advantage;
• Excellent communication skills;
• A willingness to travel internationally and perfume field/lab work;
• An interest in education and in contributing to the capacity development mission of ITC.

• An inspiring and challenging international environment
• Fulltime position for one year. Prolongation of the contract after this period is a possibility
• Gross monthly salary between € 2,960.- and € 4,123.- (depending on experience and qualifications, job profile Researcher level 4)
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%
• Excellent support for research and facilities for professional and personal development
• A solid pension scheme
• A total of 41 holiday days in case of fulltime employment
• Professional and personal improvement programmes

The current position will be hosted by the Department of Natural Resources (NRS) at the faculty ITC, University of Twente. NRS aims to enable society to effectively develop and use geo-information and Earth Observation (EO) knowledge and technologies for agricultural and environmental sustainability. These information sources and methods are used in novel ways to understand and characterise the processes that affect the availability, stability, quality and sustainability of natural resources. The outputs contribute to better monitoring and managing of natural resources which in turn enables their sustainable use, development and restoration under global change.