KU Leuven is looking for enthusiastic PhD and postdoctoral researchers who will combine crop modeling, satellite data and bring the result to operational online applications, in the framework of the AQUACROP‑EU project.
The PhD researcher needs to have a genuine interest in plant‑soil interactions and food security, satellite‑based remote sensing and modelling; the postdoctoral researcher is expected to have in‑depth experience with agricultural modelling and satellite data. The researchers will aim for (i) crop modelling at the field and continental scale with AquaCrop, (ii) satellite data assimilation using AquaCrop embedded within NASA’s Land Information System (LIS), (iii) in‑season ensemble forecasting of yield, and (iv) operationalising the system for yield simulations over Europe for online distribution. The assimilated satellite observations will include optical and microwave information of vegetation and soil moisture. The researchers will participate in cutting‑edge and international research to improve estimates of field‑scale agricultural production.
You will be part of the KU Leuven Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Division Soil and Water Management, Research Group “Land Surface Remote Sensing, Modelling and Data Assimilation” (prof. Gabriëlle De Lannoy), and you will collaborate with researchers at VITO (Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek). The KU Leuven team has a long history of development and maintenance of the AquaCrop crop model. The VITO team is at the frontier of using satellite data for crop mapping and machine learning. The researcher is expected to work in a broad international context, collaborate with other researchers and students, and should be willing to contribute to open source code distribution (e.g. GitHub). AQUACROP‑EU is funded by FWO (Research Foundation – Flanders).
Project
* Perform high quality research related to crop forecasting, and satellite data assimilation
* Convert scientific results to publications on crop forecasting research
* Create open source code and operational crop modelling system
* Supervise master thesis students
* For PhD students: follow training in line with the doctoral school requirements
Profile
PhD student
* MSc degree in Bioscience Engineering, Civil or Environmental Engineering, Hydrology, Meteorology, Remotely Sensed Earth Observation, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Sciences, or equivalent.
* Excellent motivation to work on soil‑plant processes, remote sensing and modelling.
* Experience with data‑processing or programming in Matlab, Python, IDL, GrADS, R, or other.
* Interest in open source code distribution (e.g. GitHub).
* Excellent motivation and grades.
* Creative, critical, analytical and innovative mindset.
* Ability to work independently.
* Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
Postdoctoral researcher
* PhD degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering, Bioscience Engineering, Hydrology, Meteorology, Remotely Sensed Earth Observation, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Sciences, or equivalent.
* Experience with land surface and/or atmosphere and/or crop processes and modelling.
* Experience with remote sensing, Earth observation, large datasets.
* Experience in statistics, including some notions on data assimilation.
* Experience with data‑processing software such as Python, Matlab, IDL, GrADS, R, or other.
* Experience with programming and scientific computing in a language such as Fortran or C.
* Experience with high‑performance computing in a Linux environment.
* Excellent motivation.
* Creative, critical, analytical and innovative mindset.
* Ability to work independently and lead a small research group.
* Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, proven in publications.
* Experience with working with Git/GitHub is an advantage.
Offer
* Fully funded PhD scholarship for 4 years; support and training through the Arenberg Doctoral School (https://set.kuleuven.be/phd); students graduating with an MSc degree in the summer 2026 are encouraged to apply.
* Postdoctoral position for 2 years, with a possibility for 1 year extension.
* The start date can be negotiated, but no later than September 2026.
* Competitive salary, support in career development.
* Multi‑disciplinary and international professional environment.
* Leuven is a charming historical university town, located in the heart of Western Europe.
Interested?
Only scientists matching the above profile should apply. Please submit your resume, along with a motivation letter and two names for references via the online application tool. Msc students graduating in the summer of 2026 are encouraged to apply. Applicants for a PhD position, please make sure to indicate your study grades (obtained until now) in your resume; applicants for a post‑doctoral position, please provide evidence of your scientific achievements so far. For more information please contact prof. dr. ir. Gabrielle De Lannoy, tel. +32 16 37 67 13, e‑mail gabrielle[dot]delannoy[at]kuleuven[dot]be.
You can apply for this job no later than June 15 2026 via the online application tool.
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