Research assistant: Pedometric methods for dynamic soil data modeling

Application Deadline: 1st of September 2026

Possible start date: 1st of October 2026

Duration: 2+ years,

Job location: Waldeck Pyrmonthlaan 14, 6865HH Doorwerth

Bruto monthly salary: starting at €3,483 gross per month (with possible bonuses)

Job type: research assistant

Fields: pedometrics, open soil data, agronomy, spatial data science, process-based modeling, envirometrics

Employer: OpenGeoHub foundation

Job Description

OpenGeoHub foundation is a not-for-profit research foundation with headquarters at Doorwerth (half way between Wageningen and Arnhem), the Netherlands. We aim to become world experts in producing global and regional spatial predictions of soil, vegetation and climatic variables. For this, we use high performance computing / optimisation and state-of-the-art machine learning.

OpenGeoHub foundation is looking for a junior soil-climate data expert (pedometrician). You would primarily contribute to the high profile Horizon Europe projects HydroDataCube, Salinova, SoilBiomass+, Open Geospatial Carbon Registry (OGCR), but also actively contribute to the soildb.OpenLandMap.org and EcoDataCube.eu. You would contribute to soil data quality control, fitting pedo transfer functions (using R and/or Python), spatial modeling with soil data and interpretation of soil predictions including predictive soil mapping results.

OpenGeoHub would provide HPC infrastructure called EOsoilmapper (that includes own copy of Landsat, MODIS and numerous other global and regional data sets; >3PB of data running on some 40 servers) and would lead and supervise the candidate jointly with other partner organizations on the HydroDataCube4EU, Salinova and OGCR projects. You would assist in making soil laboratory data (observations & measurements) analysis ready, based on the best training points, then work with top Python and R developers to help run High Performance Computing.

You would also support projects that are implemented by networks of researchers outside of OpenGeoHub. OpenGeoHub works closely with Technical University of Vienna, DLR German Space Agency, Technical University of Hamburg, CNR IRPI, IIASA (Geo-wiki.org), Utrecht University, GFZ Helmholtz German Research Centre for Geosciences, GiLAB.rs, and many other organizations. Our clients / collaborating organizations also include: World Resources Institute, The Nature Conservancy, UNCCD, Conservation International and others.

“Do you have long-term interest in soil data science and would like to learn from world leading geospatial modelers?”

Your profile

Minimum Requirements

• You have an MSc degree in the field of agronomy and/or soil science and/or environmental sciences; combined with a background in GIS and spatial modeling.
• You have a minimum 2 years of work experience.
• You are familiar with soil laboratory data and soil laboratory procedures, soil sampling and soil classification.
• You have minimum coding & geocomputing skills in data science programming languages such as Python, Bash, R, and/or Julia.
• You have solid knowledge of biometrics / statistics.
• You have experience with soil laboratory methods.
• You know how to simplify code and processes and run automated software checks.
• You are fluent in English.

INFORMATION AND APPLICATION

Questions

Questions regarding this position can be directed to Tom Hengl, email: [email protected] . Applications, including (1) a CV, (2) a statement of your interest and vision, and (3) a self-assessment based on the minimum requirements, should be uploaded via this link. Please prepare all documents as a PDF before starting the application.

Our Offer

We offer a full-time position for 2 years, with possible extension, within a very stimulating international innovation and research environment aiming at solving global and regional environmental problems at large scales. You will work in a dynamic work environment with enthusiastic colleagues usually from a variety of countries.

• Starting salary will be: starting from €3,483 gross per month with possible bonuses;
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary;
• Minimum of 29 holidays if in full-time employment;
• Professional and personal development programs.

We strongly encourage a high degree of responsibility and independence, while collaborating with other colleagues. Flexi-hours and occasional remote working (1 day a week) are also possible upon agreement with the OpenGeoHub Management Board.

Read Selection Process