Postdoctoral Researcher in Geophysical Subsurface Imaging, AI, and Digital Twins University of Twente in Netherlands

Postdoctoral Researcher in Geophysical Subsurface Imaging, AI, and Digital Twins at the University of Twente (Faculty ITC)

This postdoctoral opening is for a researcher interested in the intersection of geophysics, Earth science, artificial intelligence, and digital twins. The project focuses on improving subsurface imaging and monitoring under changing environmental conditions such as soil moisture, temperature, and subsurface heterogeneity. The work is embedded in the national Sectorplan Earth and Environmental Sciences (AMW) programme and is linked to climate resilience, environmental monitoring, and sustainable infrastructure management.

The successful candidate will design and conduct research using geophysical techniques such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), seismic methods, and electromagnetic methods. The role also includes analysing and integrating geophysical datasets, developing AI and machine learning methods for signal processing, image analysis, data fusion, and prediction, and building physics-informed and hybrid AI models. A major part of the work is contributing to dynamic digital twins for subsurface monitoring, forecasting, and decision support.

The position is hosted at the University of Twente and involves collaboration across the Department of Geosciences (Faculty ITC) and the Department of Civil Engineering and Management (Faculty ET). The research environment is interdisciplinary and international, with access to the University of Twente FieldLab and advanced geophysical monitoring capabilities.

Eligibility highlights: a PhD in Geophysics, Applied Geophysics, Earth Sciences, Engineering Geology, Civil Engineering, Remote Sensing, or a related field; experience with geophysical sensing or imaging techniques; quantitative data analysis and scientific programming (Python, MATLAB, R, or similar); a strong publication record; and excellent English communication and writing skills. Preferred experience includes seismic imaging, inversion, migration, GPR signal processing, machine learning/deep learning for geoscience, uncertainty quantification, data fusion, digital twins, and environmental process modelling.

Funding and conditions: full-time appointment for three years. Salary is €4,251–€5,760 gross per month, depending on experience and qualifications, plus holiday allowance, year-end bonus, pension, support for the Dutch 30% ruling, 41 holiday days per year, and access to campus sports facilities.

Application deadline: 1 November 2026. Applicants should apply online and upload a CV, motivation letter, and a short description of their PhD thesis, plus contact details of at least one reference person.