The rapid increase in geospatial data volumes arising from terrestrial, air- and space-borne sensors brings exciting opportunities for novel types of spatiotemporal monitoring, analysis, and modelling, yet also confronts us with complex choices of computational infrastructure on which to run the algorithms. Our group is interested in developing smart, time- and energy-efficient solutions to support the analytical workflows required to address challenging geospatial and Earth Observation applications, including machine learning and other GeoAI tasks.

You will design methods and develop tools that contribute to a better understanding of the computational and energy complexity of spatiotemporal algorithms, such that decisions for better performance or better energy efficiency can be made in an informed manner before computing takes place. This work involves the development of an experimental platform that implements a geospatial library in which space, time, and energy metrics are embedded such that complexity can be measured and calibrated, and optimization of hardware choices becomes possible.

Your work will shape in a collaboration between the GIP department and the Centre of Expertise in Big Geodata Science (CRIB). You will work in an environment that uses state-of-the-art parallel and distributed computing capabilities provided by modern hardware and software infrastructure (e.g., SIMD, multithreading, GPU, etc.). You will contribute to the development of open-source research software that implements such methods to improve the quality and efficiency of cloud-based geospatial computing platforms. You will publish your outputs and lessons learned as open-access scientific publications in line with Open Science and FAIR principles, and present them at scientific meetings and conferences.

• A MSc in Computer Science, GIS, Remote Sensing, or a similar field with relevance to geospatial computing
• Experience with high-level programming languages (e.g. Python and R)
• Experience with system programming languages (e.g. C and C++) is an asset
• Curiosity about algorithmics and possibly know-how in tools for time- and energy-efficient computing
• Proven curiosity about cloud computing and big data technology
• Some experience with low- and high-level geospatial computing tools and applications
• Some experience in high-performance computing using multi-core, multi-CPU, GPU, multi-GPU, or computing clusters is an asset
• Excellent collaboration skills in a multicultural academic setting and ability to work independently
• A proficient command of English

• 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
• Fulltime employment for 4 years with a starting salary of €2.541,- gross per month in the first year and growing to €3.247,- gross per month in the fourth year
• Tailor-made educational/development program of at least 6 months (30EC), including visits to conferences.
• An annual holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, and an annual year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• Total of 41 holidays per year in case of full-time employment.
• Professional and personal development programs;
• Costs for moving to Enschede may be reimbursed.

The Department of Geo-information processing is a multidisciplinary scientific team that develops computational methods for processing (acquiring, organizing, analysing) spatiotemporal data and information, which in turn are used to build models, visualizations, and information systems to improve our understanding of dynamic spatial systems and to help in decision-making at multiple spatial and temporal scales.

The University of Twente wants to be an organisation that optimally deploys diversity, talents, and capabilities in the labour market for now and in the future. In the framework of our diversity and inclusiveness policy, we strongly stimulate people with a (work) disability to apply for this position.

The University of Twente is committed to providing a working environment where everyone is valued, respected, and supported to progress. Our priority is to ensure that no one is disadvantaged based on their ethnicity, gender, culture, disability, LGBTQ+ identities, family and caring responsibilities, age, or religion. We encourage everyone who meets the selection criteria and shares these values to apply.