Careers

Post-Doc in Atmospheric Science and Machine Learning, Netherlands Institute for Space Research (SRON), Leiden, Netherlands (deadline 1st September)

Your position
You will contribute to the newly funded COGNITO project (carbon monoxide (CO) Global aNalysis, source Identification and emission quantification using TROPOMI Observations). COGNITO aims to develop the first global, satellite-based system for detecting and quantifying carbon monoxide emissions from major urban areas and industrial facilities, with a particular focus on the iron and steel sector. By using TROPOMI observations with advanced machine learning techniques, the project will provide independent information on emission patterns and support efforts to improve emission inventories and evaluate decarbonization strategies worldwide.

Your team
You will become part of the Earth Science Group (ESG) at SRON. The ESG consists of approximately 40 scientists, postdoctoral researchers, and PhD students working on the interpretation of satellite observations, atmospheric modelling, data science, and the development of future Earth observation missions. You will join a research team specializing in the detection and quantification of atmospheric emissions using satellite observations, atmospheric transport modeling, and machine learning. The team has pioneered the use of satellite observations for identifying methane super-emitters and quantifying emissions from industrial and urban sources worldwide.

Your project
Within the COGNITO project, you will apply novel machine learning approaches to detect CO plumes in global satellite observations from TROPOMI and possibly complemented by Sentinel-5. Building on successful methodologies previously developed for methane super-emitter detection, you will create a global database of CO emission events and investigate the emission source rates from hundreds of industrial facilities and urban regions worldwide.

Your work will include:

• Apply existing machine learning algorithms for automated detection of CO plumes in satellite observations
• Building a global catalogue of CO emission events from 2018 onwards
• Quantifying emissions from cities and iron and steel production facilities using inhouse quantification tools
• Evaluating temporal variability in emissions, including seasonal cycles, operational changes, and potential signatures of industrial decarbonization efforts
• Assessment of emission quantification tools using atmospheric transport modeling
• Comparing satellite derived emissions with bottom up inventories and reporting systems
• Publishing results in leading international scientific journals and presenting your work at conferences and stakeholder meetings

The project offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of atmospheric science, machine learning, satellite remote sensing, and climate policy.

Position requirements
We are looking for an ambitious, highly motivated, and result driven scientist with a PhD in atmospheric sciences or a similar degree, with experience in the interpretation of atmospheric (e.g. satellite, aircraft etc.) observations and machine learning applications. Strong programming and data analytics skills are also expected. Experience with research on atmospheric CO, transport modelling and/or flux inversions is considered an asset. A highly developed proficiency in written and oral English is essential, and the candidate should be capable of working both independently and in a team.

What we offer
The position we offer at SRON is full-time for a period of two years with the possibility of a two-year extension in which you will be employed by NWO-I, The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research Institutes. The salary will be in accordance with NWO salary scale 10, commensurate with your education and experience, be for a maximum of €5.758,- gross per month on a full-time basis.

NWO-I has good secondary employment conditions such as:

• An end-of-year bonus of 8,33% of the gross yearly salary;
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross yearly salary;
• 42 days of vacation leave per year on a full-time basis;
• Compensation for commuting expenses;
• An excellent pension scheme;
• Options for (additional) personal development;
• Excellent facilities for parental leave;
• Ample training opportunities;
• Possibility of flexible working hours;

Due date for first selection of applications is September 1st 2026, after which the position remains open until filled.

Read more and apply here.
 

Atmospheric scientist, Netherlands Institute for Space Research (SRON), Leiden, Netherlands (position open until filled, applications submitted before 25th July will be treated with priority)

Your position

Reducing methane emissions has become an absolute priority of global climate policy. Satellites have been both a catalyst and prime supporter of these reductions by revealing large emission hot spots around the world, which are urgent mitigation targets. SRON has been at the forefront of this revolution by providing key data and analysis. SRON is the co-Principal Investigator Institute for TROPOMI, a Dutch instrument realised together with ESA and launched in October 2017. SRON’s responsibilities include the development and maintenance of the operational algorithms for methane and carbon monoxide. We have various research projects with high-impact stakeholders focusing on methane emissions using the TROPOMI satellite data, also in conjunction with high spatial resolution satellites like GHGSat, Sentinel-2, EnMAP, and VIIRS that allow us to pinpoint emissions to individual facilities, enabling mitigation efforts. You will analyse TROPOMI and other satellite data to study methane emissions around the world to contribute to actionable insights on large super-emitters.

Your team

You will be part of our team of scientists working on the interpretation of methane satellite data in the Earth Science Group (ESG) of SRON. The ESG consists of approximately 35 scientists (permanent staff, postdocs, and PhD students) that work on the interpretation of satellite data, data processing, as well as the development of new instrumentation. Our team (~15 persons) develops methods to detect and identify sources and quantify emissions of various trace gases using satellite data in conjunction with atmospheric modelling. Our research addresses topics with large societal relevance.

Your project

You will join the SRON team that contributes to the United Nations’ impactful IMEO Methane Alert and Response System (MARS). The team uses long-term TROPOMI analysis to localise methane hot spots around the world. This information is then used to zoom-in with high spatial resolution satellite instruments (e.g. VIIRS, Sentinel-2, EnMAP) with targeted observations or data analysis to identify the responsible sources. For example, we use the global coverage provided by VIIRS and Sentinel-3 to pinpoint transient sources detected with TROPOMI. IMEO then notifies responsible parties to mitigate the emissions. The work involves emission quantification, monitoring of emissions, improvement of our research methodologies, and increasing our understanding of super-emitters. The project also includes in-depth studies (e.g. using inverse modelling) on key emission sources at open-pit coal mines as prioritised by IMEO MARS. The work is done in close collaboration with the IMEO MARS-team at UNEP. You will present your work to various stakeholders as well as at scientific conferences, and publish your work in scientific peer-reviewed journals.

Position requirements

We are looking for an ambitious, highly motivated, and result driven scientist with a PhD in atmospheric sciences or a similar degree, with experience in the interpretation of atmospheric (e.g. satellite, aircraft) observations (using transport models). Strong programming and data analytics skills are also expected. Experience with research on atmospheric methane and flux inversions is considered an asset. A highly developed proficiency in written and oral English is essential and the candidate should be capable of working both independently and in a team.

What we offer

The position we offer at SRON is full-time for a period of two years with the possibility of a two-year extension. You will be employed by NWO-I (Foundation for Dutch Scientific Research Institutes).T he collective labor agreement for research institutions applies. Salary will depend on education and experience but will not exceed €5758,- gross per month (The position is based in Leiden, The Netherlands).

NWO-I has good secondary employment conditions such as:

• An end-of-year bonus of 8,33% of the gross yearly salary;
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross yearly salary;
• 42 days of vacation leave per year on a full-time basis;
• Compensation for commuting expenses;
• An excellent pension scheme;
• Options for (additional) personal development;
• Excellent facilities for parental leave;
• Ample training opportunities;
• Possibility of flexible working hours;

Applications submitted through our website www.werkenbijSRON.nl before 25 July will be treated with priority, position will remain open until filled.

Read more and apply here.

Postdoctoral position, Department of Forest Resource Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden (deadline 11th August 2026)

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher with a particular interest in forest landscape modelling. As part of a two-year postdoctoral project, you will use the Heureka decision support system to analyse how different forest management strategies affect biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services, as well as how these interact with the development of wind power. The work involves quantifying conflicts and synergies between different sustainability goals in the forest landscape using simulation and optimisation. The analysis will be based on spatially explicit future scenarios, developed in collaboration with various stakeholder groups, and will include indicators such as biomass production, carbon sequestration, recreational values and wind energy.

The postdoctoral position is part of the interdisciplinary research project WindyForests, which brings together researchers from several universities and disciplines with the aim of developing knowledge for the sustainable planning of wind power in forest landscapes. For more information, see: www.slu.se/forskning/forskningskatalog/projekt/w/windyforests/ 

Your profile
You must hold a PhD in forestry, ecology, environmental science, systems analysis, mathematics, operations research or a similar discipline, with interest in forests and forestry, and where quantitative modelling and/or optimisation formed a central part of your thesis. Experience of working with optimisation methods, long-term modelling of the forest landscape and its ecosystem services, as well as computer-based decision support systems in general and the Heureka system in particular, is an advantage. Great importance is attached to personal qualities such as analytical and problem-solving skills, the ability to work independently and the ability to collaborate. Good written and oral communication skills in English are a requirement.

The position is intended for a junior researcher, and we are primarily seeking candidates who obtained their PhD no more than three years ago. In exceptional circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier. Exceptional circumstances include leave of absence due to illness, parental leave, positions of trust within trade unions, service in the armed forces, or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

About us
The Department of Forest Resource Management conducts education and research in the areas of forest planning, forest remote sensing, forest inventory and sampling, forest mathematical statistics and landscape studies. The department is also responsible for the implementation of the ongoing environmental monitoring programs the National Forest Inventory, National Inventory of the Landscape in Sweden, Terrestrial Habitat Monitoring and the Butterfly and Bumblebee Inventory. In total, we are about 120 employees. More information can be found at https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/organisation/departments/forest-resource-management/

Deadline for applications is 11th August 2026.

Read more and apply here.