PhD vacatures

The OCS department at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research is looking for a tenure track scientist using innovative approaches for processing marine data. As data collection within the marine sciences increases with new mobile and stationary sensors and observation platforms becoming available, the need for processing these large data streams also increases. Such datasets provide exciting new research opportunities and the opportunity to address pressing questions in novel ways. The tenure-track scientist will be based within the Ocean Systems department (OCS) at NIOZ‑Texel. The scientist will work closely with researchers in all NIOZ departments including the newly established Marine Robotics Group within the NMF Department at NIOZ.

NIOZ offers unparalleled access to new research vessels, high-resolution time-series, autonomous and remotely operated vehicle (AUV, Gliders, USV, ROV) observations, and long-term ocean datasets (moorings and landers) enabling breakthrough data-driven science. The successful candidate will have freedom to define their own research lines at the forefront of AI-driven ocean discovery, in close collaboration with the rest of scientists at NIOZ, and specifically also with the also now advertised new tenure-track scientist responsible for developing new ocean observations (sensor technology).

The tenure-track scientist is expected to establish a strong research profile, and an international network around big data in marine sciences. The candidate will have access to NIOZ’s high-performance computing cluster, GPU nodes for deep learning, dedicated data-management support, and large-volume storage systems designed for streaming and processing AUV/ROV, glider, and ship-based observations. Research fields include, but are not limited to, physical, biological and chemical oceanography and the intersection of these disciplines. Potential research lines could focus on spatial and/or temporal aspects of e.g. Ocean carbon cycling, physical oceanography, ocean plankton communities and impacts of climate change on marine environments.

The department of Ocean Systems (OCS) studies the role of the ocean in a changing climate, from the equator to the poles, from the continental shelf to the deep ocean and from the past to the present. As the ocean is Earth’s largest reservoir of CO2 and heat, ocean circulation, mixing, biogeochemistry and other processes strongly impact global climate, but in turn, the ocean is changing rapidly because of (human) stressors, creating complex feedback loops. Furthermore, seafloor sediments have recorded past changes in conditions on land and in the ocean, in the form of biological residues or physical and chemical signals, which allow us to reconstruct feedback between oceanic processes and climate in the (ancient) past. The OCS department investigates ocean functioning by means of sea-going expeditions, during which data and samples are collected from the water column and the seafloor, which are analyzed in on-board and onshore laboratories. We have collected a large amount of information and samples over the past decades, which serves as the basis of our ocean research. Our technical and scientific staff is international and diverse, comprising approximately 50 members, including PhD students, postdocs, and BSc- and MSc students from around the world.

For this position we are looking for a scientist with a strong technical background and a keen interest in the marine environment. We specifically encourage scientists with a PhD from a technical university to apply.

• We explicitly seek candidates whose expertise lies in machine learning, artificial intelligence, data mining, signal processing, or statistical modeling, with an interest in applying these skills to ocean science.
• You have strong organizing skills with flexibility to work in dynamic projects.
• You have an affinity for taking responsibility, managing people and tasks, and collaborating effectively with technicians.
• You are dedicated to contributing to the diverse, safe and healthy working culture at NIOZ.

NIOZ wants to be a transparent institute with a healthy working climate and an inclusive culture, where people from diverse backgrounds and gender bring their talents and further develop these talents. We aim for inclusive decision-making processes and expect our leadership to show visible commitment, awareness of bias, and cultural intelligence.

• Employment of this full-time position at Royal NIOZ is by NWO-I, after a successful tenure track period and positive evaluations by the tenure track committee (TTC) the position will become a tenured PI appointment within the Royal NIOZ. Tenure at NIOZ is granted after 1.5 years up to a maximum of 5 years, based on obtained funding, publications and scientific network established.
• Salary compliant with CAO-WVOI (Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Research Institutes) scale 11 or 12, depending on relevant experience.
• The freedom to fulfil your role and space and opportunities for your personal (talent) development with the help of the NIOZ Academy.
• 338 annualized holiday hours for a full-time 40-hour work week.
• Pension scheme via ABP, 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.33%.
• 2nd class public transportation travel is reimbursed 100%.
• Employment benefits plan to exchange a portion of your salary for days off or vice versa or can be used to purchase a bicycle with tax benefits.
• NIOZ offers relocation expenses for employees and support with finding accommodation.

For additional information about this vacancy, please contact Gert-Jan Reichart (Head of OCS Department). For additional information about the procedure, please contact working@nioz.nl.

The closing date for this vacancy will be the 31st of January 2026.