The University of Twente (ITC Faculty) is seeking a motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join their team in support of the European Space Agency’s FLEX (FLuorescence EXplorer) satellite mission. This position focuses on the analysis and validation of mission data related to vegetation structure and photosynthesis.
Postdoctoral Researcher: FLuorescence EXplorer (FLEX) University of Twente, Netherlands
Job Overview
| Attribute | Details |
| Designation | Postdoctoral Researcher |
| Research Area | Remote Sensing, Physics, Environmental Science |
| Location | Enschede, The Netherlands (University of Twente Campus) |
| Contract Type | Full-time (40 hours/week) for one year |
| Salary | € 4,075 – € 5,538 (gross/monthly) |
| Application Deadline | 10 August 2026 |
Position Summary
The FLEX mission, launching in September 2026, aims to provide global maps of vegetation fluorescence to better understand photosynthetic activity and plant health. The successful candidate will work on incoming mission data, focusing on automated quality control, algorithm validation, and supporting field data collection efforts.
Eligibility and Qualifications
- Education: PhD in Physics, Environmental Science, Remote Sensing, or a closely related field.
- Technical Skills: Strong programming proficiency (specifically Python).
- Experience: Familiarity with satellite data or large numeric data files; experience with statistics.
- Domain Knowledge: Understanding of physics or biophysics.
- Communication: Excellent command of English (writing and verbal).
Job Description
- Monitor automated quality control of data products post-launch.
- Perform additional data tests and report on quality issues.
- Adapt existing quality control algorithms and develop new validation methods.
- Participate in recurring online meetings with international mission partners.
- Provide support to teams collecting ground-truth field data.
- Contribute to scientific publications based on research findings.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online by 10 August 2026. Your application should include:
- A motivation letter (max 2 pages) detailing your specific interest and a short description of your PhD thesis (max 250 words).
- A Curriculum Vitae (including a list of courses/grades and contact info for at least two references).
- Copies of MSc and PhD diplomas/transcripts (or a letter from your supervisor if the degree is in the final stage).
For substantive questions, you may contact Christiaan van der Tol at c.vandertol@utwente.nl.
