About the Position/Job
Utrecht University invites applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Researcher to join the CLARiTy project (Combining Land-use, Modelling and Remote-sensing to Transform carbon budgets). This role focuses on historic land use reconstruction to improve global carbon budget estimates and reconcile terrestrial CO2 sources and sinks with national inventories. The position is part of an international, interdisciplinary consortium involving experts such as Kees Klein Goldewijk (HYDE database) and the HILDA+ team from Wageningen University Research and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. The work will connect high-resolution Earth Observation datasets, develop new historical land use classes, and enhance the HYDE dataset, contributing to a more accurate understanding of land-use change, deforestation, afforestation, and human impacts on carbon fluxes. The role combines Earth system modelling, remote sensing, and climate science, offering a unique opportunity for impactful research on global environmental change.
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Position/Job Details
- Position: Postdoctoral Researcher
- Institution: Utrecht University
- Research Field: Environmental Science, Earth Science, Global Change
- Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
- Number of Posts: 1
- Job Type: Full-time, Temporary (initial 1-year contract with potential extension to 3 years)
- Start Date (Anticipated): February 2026
- Working Hours: 40 hours per week
- Salary Range: €3,546 – €5,538 gross/month plus 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus
- Required Degree/Diploma: PhD
Research Area
- Historic land use reconstruction
- Global Carbon Budget (GCB) assessment
- Land-use and land-cover change (LULCC)
- Earth system modelling
- Carbon cycling and emission processes
- Remote sensing and Earth Observation datasets (HYDE and HILDA+)
- Environmental and climate change analysis
Eligibility and Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- PhD in Earth Sciences, Environmental Science, Climate Science, Remote Sensing, or a related field
- Experience in running or developing Earth System models
- Theoretical background and interest in carbon cycling, land use and land cover dynamics, and climate change
- Strong analytical skills
- Fluency in Python or a similar programming language
- Proficiency in spoken and written English
- Ability to work in a team-oriented, interdisciplinary environment
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with large Earth Observation datasets
- Knowledge of historical land-use datasets and data integration methods
- Strong communication skills for scientific dissemination and collaboration
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and improve historical land use datasets (HYDE and HILDA+)
- Integrate new data from Earth Observation sources to create new land use classes
- Conduct analysis of terrestrial CO2 sources and sinks
- Contribute to reducing uncertainty in global carbon budget estimates
- Collaborate with international CLARiTy project team members
- Participate in interdisciplinary research and dissemination of results
- Support reconciliation of GCB data with national greenhouse gas inventories
Application Process
How to Apply
Submit your curriculum vitae and letter of motivation via the AcademicTransfer portal.
Required Documents
- CV
- Letter of motivation
- PhD certificate and transcripts
- Additional supporting documents if required
Important Dates
- Application Opens: 9 December 2025
- Deadline: 9 January 2026 (22:59 UTC)
- Interview Date: Not specified
Useful Links
- Institution Website: Utrecht University
- Official Notification Link: click here
- Apply Now: click here
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