Food security through crop yield estimation and satellite data assimilation

KU Leuven is looking for enthusiastic PhD and postdoctoral researchers who will combine crop modeling and 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 modeling, whereas the postdoctoral researcher is expected to have in depth experience with agricultural modeling and satellite data. The researchers will aim for (i) crop modeling 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) operationalizing 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, Modeling 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).
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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 modeling system
• Supervise master thesis students
• For PhD students: follow training in line with the doctoral school requirements 

Profile

• 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 modeling
• 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

Offer

• EITHER: fully funded PhD scholarship for 4 years; support and training through the Arenberg Doctoral School (https://set.kuleuven.be/phd); students graduating with a Msc degree in the summer 2026 are encouraged to apply
• OR: postdoc 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 postdoctoral 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.

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