Science for policy researcher for soil nutrients, LUCAS soil monitoring and laboratory analysis

Environmental science » Natural resources management

Organisation/Company Joint Research Centre Department Sustainable Resources Research Field Environmental science » Natural resources management Agricultural sciences » Soil science Researcher Profile Established Researcher (R3) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 9 Nov 2026 - 10:36 (Europe/Amsterdam) Country Italy Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) provides independent, evidence-based knowledge and science, supporting EU policies to positively impact society.
The current vacancy is in the Directorate for Sustainable Resources. Its science, positioned at the crossroads of the environment, economy and society, coupled with scientific networks across the EU and beyond, informs policies to ensure that present and future generations enjoy a sustainable planet.
The vacancy is in Land and Climate Unit. Its cross-disciplinary science provides independent evidence in support of EU policies and international conventions on land and climate. It assesses land resources and the terrestrial carbon cycle, while analysing options for the sustainable management of soil and forest ecosystems in view of human and increasingly climate-related pressures, to secure our natural resources and carbon sinks. The post is located in lspra.
The successful candidate will join the EU Soil Observatory (EUSO) project

A PhD in soil sciences, Earth sciences, environmental sciences, biology, ecology, agricultural sciences or related issues. Alternatively, a university degree in those fields and at least 5-years proven job-related experience in a field relevant to the position.

• Previous research or professional experience in the field of soil indicators development, soil nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) assessments and soil monitoring. The experience should be proven and cover at least 1 year of activity.
• Modelling experience in soil nutrients dynamics in agroecosystems with particular specialization in machine learning (e.g. Digital Soil Mapping) or Bio-geochemical model (e.g. Century, DayCent or equivalent).
• Extensive knowledge/experience in geospatial data processing (e.g. ArcGIS or similar open source) / database skills and programming/scripting capacity (e.g. R, Python)
• Experience in Machine learning, deep-learning, artificial intelligence and advanced statistical inference for development of pedo-transfer functions
• Excellent knowledge of oral and written English (C1).
• a solid record of research activities, including relevant publications in international peer-reviewed journals.

Desirable assets are:

• Experience and knowledge on technical laboratory specifications, ISO standards and reference methodologies in laboratory analysis of physical and chemical properties
• Experience in distributed or cloud computing;
• Experience in developing Dashboards and composite indicators

4.449,31 - 6.444,59 (applicable as of 1st of July 2025)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute European Commission - Joint Research Centre (JRC) Country Italy City Ispra Geofield