Doctoral Candidate “Spatial integration for high-tech (remote) sensing of natural and built ecosystems”

• • Vacancies • Doctoral Candidate “Spatial integration for high-tech (remote) sensing of natural and built ecosystems”To vacancy overviewApply now • • • • • ITCPhDDoctoral Candidate “Spatial integration for high-tech (remote) sensing of natural and built ecosystems”The University of Twente, Faculty ITC, wishes to increase the number of women in the faculty to have a more balanced staff profile. During all phases of the selection process, we will therefore prioritize selecting women who fit the profile.Apply now • Hi! Are you my new colleague?Nona Gaies • Hi! Are you my new colleague?Kemunto Kioko • Hi! Are you my new colleague?Mariana Belgiu • Hi! Are you my new colleague?Jaap Zevenbergen • Hi! Are you my new colleague?Freek van der Meer • Hi! Are you my new colleague?Chris Hecker • Hi! Are you my new colleague?Roshanak Darvish • Hi! Are you my new colleague?Juan Carlos Afonso • • • • • • • • Key takeaways • Hours 40 hr. • Salary indicationSalary gross/monthly based on full-time € 3,059 - € 3,881 • Deadline 31 Aug 2026 Are you excited to work on physics processes that have so far proven difficult to understand, while at the same time contributing to societal challenges? Then join our research team in advancing our understanding of radiative exchanges within and above open-water, agricultural, natural, and urban environments through state-of-the-art in-situ measurements and remote sensing technologies. This position is part of the ITEM (Infrastructure Twente for Ecosystem Monitoring) initiative, responding to the Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES) Sectorplan-Beta II, which is aiming at strengthening the scientific foundation by continuous and incidental measurements of (sub)processes on earth while addressing societal missions in the fields of “Security living environment/habitat”, “Agriculture, water and food”, “Energie(transition), circularity and sustainability” and “Health”. This initiative is a faculty-wide effort that connects all four scientific departments of the Faculty ITC of the University of Twente through their four key focus areas: Resource Security, GeoAI, Disaster Resilience, and Urban Futures. You will be working on remote sensing-based observational modelling by combining spatially distributed optical-thermal ground observations with airborne and satellite-based imagery to unravel radiative exchanges. You will also be working on coupling and upscaling of radiative in-situ observations from our spatially distributed sensor network (ITEM) to airborne and satellite image observations through near-surface and atmospheric radiative transport process modelling. You will examine bidirectional reflectance characteristics and hotspot effects across the typical land-cover types and ecosystems mentioned above: open water, agricultural, natural, and urban environments. You will present (both preliminary and mature) research results at appropriate meetings and conferences, publish results in scientific workshops, conference proceedings, and journals, contribute to teaching on topics related to your work, supervise and mentor involved MSc students as needed. Your profile • An MSc in physics, meteorology, hydrology, physical geography, or a related field. • A creative mindset, strong problem-solving and analytical skills. • Able to do independent research and field data collection. • Interested in cross-disciplinary research. • Experience with at least one of the fields of quantitative (satellite) earth observation analysis tools (e.g., optics and radiative transfer, time-series analysis, data assimilation, big data handling), and willingness to delve deeper into these topics. • Good programming skills; experience with C, C++, Fortran or a matching. programming language. • Good communication skills and proficiency in written and spoken English. • A good team spirit. • Some limited teaching in ITC courses may be required. Our offer • An inspiring multidisciplinary, international and academic environment. The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues in which internationalization is an important part of the strategic agenda. • Full-time position for four years with a qualifier after 6 – 9 months. • A professional and personal development programme within Twente Graduate School. • Gross monthly salary of € 3,059.00 in the first year, which increases to € 3,881.00 in the fourth year. • 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 per year in the case of full-time employment. • Excellent working conditions, an exciting scientific environment, and a green and lively campus. Information and application For more information, you can contact Dr Wim Timmermans (e-mail: w.j.timmermans@utwente.nl). You are also invited to visit our homepage. Please submit your application before 1 September 2026, including: • A motivation letter (maximum 2 A4 pages) clearly emphasizing your specific interest, qualifications and motivation to apply for this position. • A detailed CV with the contact details of at least one reference person. • An academic transcript of BSc and MSc education, including grades and a short description of your MSc thesis. • An online link to an example copy of technical writing produced by you (a journal publication or thesis), if applicable. • A link to the codes/programs that you have written, if applicable. Applications that do not include the above-mentioned information will not be considered. The interviews will take place in the week of 14 - 18 September. Screening is part of the selection procedure. For questions about working and living in the Netherlands, please consult the official website of the Dutch government or the Expat Center East Netherlands website. Apply nowShare this vacancy • • • • About the department This research topic concerns temporal/spatial integration of different types of data and is multi-disciplinary and thus cross-departmental. The promotor for the current position is in our LIFE department, reason for which the position is administratively positioned there as well. About the organisation The Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) provides international postgraduate education, research and project services in the field of geo-information science and earth observation. Our mission is capacity development, where we apply, share and facilitate the effective use of geo-information and earth observation knowledge and tools for tackling global wicked problems. Our purpose is to enable our many partners around the world to track and trace the impact – and the shifting causes and frontiers – of today’s global challenges. Our vision is of a world in which researchers, educators, and students collaborate across disciplinary and geographic divides with governmental and non-governmental organisations, institutes, businesses, and local populations to surmount today’s complex global challenges and to contribute to sustainable, fair, and digital societies. Want to know more?Timmermans, W.J. (Wim) ResearcherTimmermans, W.J. (Wim) ResearcherDo you have questions about this vacancy? Then you can contact Wim for all substantive questions about this position and the application procedure. For general questions about working for the UT, please refer to the chatbot.ContactPhone:+31534874488Email:w.j.timmermans@utwente.nl How to applyStep 1Apply. When you see a vacancy that appeals to you, you can apply online. We ask you to upload a CV and motivation letter and/or list of publications. You will receive a confirmation of receipt by e-mail.Apply nowStep 2Selection. The selection committee will review your application and you will receive a response within 2 weeks after the vacancy has been closed.Step 31st interview. The 1st (online or in person) meeting serves as an introduction where we introduce ourselves to you and you to us. You may be asked to give a short presentation. This will be further explained in the invitation.Step 42nd interview. In the second interview, we will further discuss the job content, your skills and your talents.Step 5The offer. If the conversations are positive, you will be made a suitable offer. If applicable, we will sign you up for screening. Your Colleagues • Willemen, L.L.J.M. (Wieteke)Personal page • Salama, S. (Suhyb)Personal page • Timmermans, W.J. (Wim)Personal page About the faculty ITC Curious about were the Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) stands for? Check out the ITC website for more information.Go to the ITC websiteA job that mattersCreate new opportunities for yourself, your colleagues and our society. Scientist or teacher, administrator or facilitator, thinker or doer, energetic leader or silent support – your work at the University of Twente matters. And you too!Stories from UT'ers • • • Our mission Human TouchAt the University of Twente, technology is all about people. We call this High Tech, Human Touch. This same belief is reflected in the way the Human Resources department operates. We believe that a strong organization starts with people who are given the space to grow, take initiative, and make a difference. That is why we are building a working environment in which everyone can thrive. • Our mission We are a university of technologyOur university is a public institution that serves society. We are accountable to society for the ways in which we use our academic freedom. We are responsible for ensuring that the power of science and technology is harnessed to achieve the best possible impact in a changing world. We cherish our rich tradition of combining technical and social sciences in our five profiling themes: Improving healthcare by personalized technologies; Creating intelligent manufacturing systems; Shaping our world with smart materials; Engineering our digital society; and Engineering for a resilient world. • Our mission We help to strengthen societyWe help society meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. But we are also transparent about what science and technology can and cannot do in finding sustainable solutions. And help translate these solutions into everyday life. • Our mission We are sustainableWe want our communities to flourish and show resilience, so we seize opportunities for innovation. We are knowledgeable and have an eye for what society needs. Our students and staff receive all the guidance they need in their quest for ecological, social and economic sustainability. “The University of Twente is all about people. Our sustainable technologies help to strengthen society.” Browse all jobs