Postdoctoral Researcher in Autonomous Controlled Environmental Agriculture

This postdoctoral researcher position focuses on developing autonomous crop monitoring and decision-support systems for Controlled Environment Agriculture. Key responsibilities include integrating plant sensing, AI-based computer vision, and crop modeling to enable data-driven crop management. Candidates require a PhD in a relevant field with research experience in crop modeling, plant sensing, or data-driven crop management, and experience with CEA systems.

• What we offer At Maastricht University, you’ll work in an international, open, and engaged environment. We offer:
• We are looking for a creative and proactive researcher with a strong interest in the future of digital and autonomous agriculture.
• You have a clear vision of next-generation Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) systems and feel comfortable working in a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment.
• You enjoy working with people from different disciplines and are able to contribute effectively to collaborations with, for example, crop physiologists and plant scientists.
• A PhD in a relevant field, such as plant science, crop science, agricultural engineering, biosystems engineering, horticulture, applied physics, data science or a related discipline.
• Demonstrable research experience in at least one of the following areas: crop modelling, plant sensing or data-driven crop management.
• Demonstrable experience in translating research insights into practical applications and collaborating with academic and industry partners in the context of CEA systems.
• Experience with Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), greenhouse cultivation or another relevant controlled growing environment.
• Experience in teaching, outreach, or international research networks is considered an advantage.
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken (minimum C1 level, CEFR). Proficiency in Dutch is considered an advantage.
• Please note that regular travel to locations across the Randstad region in the Netherlands and Belgium is part of this position (at least once a week).

• 29 vacation days (based on full-time), four additional days off (Carnival Monday and Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day), and the possibility to accrue up to 12 extra days through compensation hours.
• Freedom and space to shape your work independently and develop your ideas.
• A close-knit community of colleagues to collaborate and grow with.
• A solid pension plan via ABP, company fitness schemes, and access to various university sports facilities.
• An inspiring work environment in the heart of Europe.
• A 12-month contract (0.8-1.0 FTE) with the prospect of a 1 year extension (for the duration of the project).
• A gross monthly salary between € 4.925 and € 6.682 (based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week). 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
• About the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) At the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), we focus on themes such as circularity and sustainability, future farming, digitisation and (scientific) instrument development.
• FSE's leading projects, like the Einstein Telescope Pathfinder, are sure to grab anyone's attention.
• At FSE, over 450 staff members and 3700 students gather to explore exciting interdisciplinary research and educational programmes.