Postdoc Predicting deforestation using satellite data develop AI approaches to predict near-future illegal deforestation
Are you for a highly qualified researcher with good capabilities to develop Deep Learning and other Machine Learning methods using satellite data? And you want to use your capabilities to make an impact and help to fight illegal deforestation, by developing near-future predictions of where and when new forest loss will occur? Then we are looking for you!
As post-doctoral researcher you develop AI approaches to predict near-future illegal deforestation based on forest change satellite data along with additional spatial datasets. Tropical forests are crucial in climate change mitigation, yet nearly half of tropical deforestation is illegal. This research aims to make reliable short-term predictions on the location, time, quantity and state of legality of deforestations.
We have recently developed the Sentinel-1-based weekly RADD deforestation alerts that now complement other operational optical-based deforestation alerts. Still, mapping the location of recent deforestation is not sufficient for timely and targeted interventions against illegal forest activities. This research aims to move from observation to prevention, by developing near-future predictions of where and when new forest activities will occur. Several Machine Learning approaches (e.g. artificial neural networks, Bayesian methods) will be used to combine deforestation alerts with dynamic spatial datasets (precipitation seasonality, topography, accessibility, land-use, socio-economic variables, forest concession data) to model and map the spatiotemporal dynamics of near-future deforestation at multiple scales.
We are looking for a highly qualified researcher with good capabilities to develop Deep Learning and other Machine Learning methods and using remote sensing data. Experience with forest change monitoring is a strong plus.
The postdoc will participate in the WWF Forest Foresight programme, in which WWF-Netherlands and partners collaborate with forest-managing stakeholders in implementing countries across the tropics (e.g. Gabon, Suriname, Borneo) to prevent illegal forest activities by providing tailored predictions for on-the-ground field investigations and preventive activities. Methods developed in this postdoc project will be implemented, field-tested and validated in key implementing countries.
The research will be conducted at the Laboratory of Geo-information Science and Remote Sensing (GRS) at Wageningen University in the team of Dr. Johannes Reiche (Radar remote sensing) and Dr. Diego Marcos (Data Science, AI).
You will work in an ideal working environment. Our campus is an inspiring green place to work, and has been selected as the most sustainable campus in the world multiple times. Besides that, we have a top ranking in several fields, with a #1 ranking for environmental science, ecology and agriculture, as well as very strong rankings in other fields. Finally, as for education, Wageningen University has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 17th consecutive time.
Do you want to know more about our work? Check out our page with news, recent publications and video’s.
We ask
- PhD in Remote Sensing, Data Science or a related field;
- Expertise in developing Deep Learning-based methods;
- Experience in processing and analysis of satellite remote sensing data;
- Experience in Python and Pytorch/Tensorflow;
- Expertise in forest change dynamics;
- Good scientific writing skills and publishing capacity;
- Interest to collaborate in a multi-disciplinary research team;
- Excellent communication and writing skills in English.
We offer
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
- sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
- working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
- the option to accrue additional compensation / 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 € 2.846 and € 5.230,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10-11).
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 17th consecutive time.
Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research’s International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.
More information
To learn more about this function you can get in touch with Dr. Johannes Reiche, e-mail: johannes.reiche@wur.nl
For additional information about the procedure you can contact Edgar Tijhuis, corporate recruiter, e-mail: edgar.tijhuis@wur.nl
Do you want to apply?
This can be done directly via the application button at the vacancy on our website so that we can process your personal data with your permission.
This vacancy is open until 20 April 2022. A week after this date the first interviews will be planned and we aim at a starting date in July/August 2022.
Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. For more information please go to our inclusivity page. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.
We are
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.
These are the points our employees list as good reasons to come work at WUR: read the 5 reasons to come work at WUR
We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.