Postdoc on Geodata Science and GeoAI

Sport Society; Utrecht; On-site; EUR 44,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday pay

Year-end bonus

Pension scheme

Flexible terms

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Utrecht University’s Health Geography group invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher position focused on geospatial data science and GeoAI for health system resilience. The role involves integrating diverse spatial data, developing reproducible pipelines, and collaborating with an interdisciplinary team to reduce health disparities.

The successful candidate will publish in international journals and contribute to MSc supervision, with a start date of January 1, 2027.

Qualifications

• PhD in GIScience or related field.
• Experience with diverse spatial analytical methods.
• Strong programming skills (Python) and version control (GitHub).
• Experience with multi-source geospatial data (e.g., network, satellite).
• Experience with GIS and GeoAI model development and evaluation.
• Interest in GIScience, health inequality and health system resilience.
• Strong communication and academic writing skills.
• Ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Integrate multi-source GIS data and qualitative insights.
• Develop reproducible spatial analyses and GeoAI pipelines.
• Design scenario-based spatial models for health system resilience.
• Evaluate model performance, fairness and robustness.
• Collaborate with health system experts in participatory workshops.
• Develop an interactive web map interface.
• Publish in international journals and present at conferences.
• Supervise MSc students.

Skills

GIScience

Geoinformatics

Spatial data science

Python

GitHub

Data integration

Education

PhD in GIScience

Tools

GitHub

Job description

Faculty: Faculty of Geosciences Department: Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning Hours per week: 36 to 40 Application deadline: 15 November 2026

Interested in how geospatial data science and GeoAI can be applied to investigate health system resilience under the rising pressure of polycrisis? Excited about developing spatial models and GeoAI systems to create resilient health systems and reduce health disparities?

At Utrecht University, you will be part of the Health Geography group as a postdoctoral researcher. You will harmonize diverse spatial data and develop geospatial analytical models and GeoAI approaches, notably on research related to health system resilience. You will work closely with an interdisciplinary team to investigate how geodatabases and spatial models can be combined with other approaches such as participatory engagements to reduce health system vulnerabilities and spatial disparities in health care provision.

Your main responsibilities include:

• integrating multi-source datasets, including GIS data, and qualitative insights;
• developing reproducible spatial analytical and GeoAI pipelines to investigate health system resilience and health disparities;
• designing scenario-based spatial models to investigate future risks and resilience of the health system and health disparities under polycrisis;
• evaluating and improving model performance, explainability, fairness, and robustness;
• collaborating with health system experts and practitioners in participatory workshops;
• developing an interactive, publicly accessible map-based web interface;
• publishing high-quality scientific articles in international journals;
• presenting findings at conferences and stakeholder events;
• contributing to supervision of MSc students.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and collaborative researcher with a strong technical background and an interest in societal impact. You have:

• a PhD in GIScience, geoinformatics, spatial data science, spatial analytics, or a related field;
• experience with diverse spatial analytical methods;
• strong programming skills (e.g., Python) and version control (e.g., GitHub);
• experience working with multi-source geospatial data (e.g., network, satellite);
• experience with GIS and GeoAI-related model development and evaluation;
• an interest in GIScience, health inequality and health system resilience;
• strong communication and academic writing skills;
• the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams.

Experience with one or more of the following is considered an advantage:

• Familiarity with Dutch data portals (e.g., PDOK, CBS);
• Conducting participatory workshops and scenario-based games (e.g., serious games).

Our offer

We offer:

• a position (1.0 FTE) for 12 months. After a positive evaluation, the position can be extended to 22 months;
• a working week of 36 - 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between €3.706 and €5.760 (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU)). The salary is based on a 38-hour working week;
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment set out in our collectivelabouragreement, we offer attractiveadditionalbenefits, including opportunities for personal and professional growth , flexibleleavearrangements,and extravacationdays. Through the UU Terms of Employment Options Model, you can tailor your employment package to your needs. In this way, we encourage you to grow in what you do, both in your work and in your development.

About us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University , the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes . Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow .

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

More information

For more information, please contact SM Labib

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology.

The start date is January 1, 2027.

The application deadline is 15 November 2026.

Interviews will take place late November, 2026.