Leiden University is inviting applications for an Associate Professor in Computational Environmental Science at the level of Associate Professor (UHD). The position is offered through the Faculty of Science and brings together two research institutes: the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS) and the Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML).

The appointment is designed for an established researcher who can bridge advanced computational methods with major environmental and sustainability challenges. The successful candidate will develop research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, data science, computational modelling and environmental science, while also contributing to education, student supervision, research funding and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The position responds to major scientific and societal challenges associated with climate change, biodiversity loss and the transition toward sustainable socio-ecological systems. At the same time, rapid developments in AI, data science and computational modelling are changing how environmental systems can be studied, monitored and governed.

This creates an opportunity for researchers working at the intersection of computational science and environmental sustainability. The initiative is closely aligned with European and Dutch research priorities involving climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, digital twins of the Earth, trustworthy AI and data-driven sustainability.

Research Focus

Leiden University is particularly interested in candidates whose research connects questions from frontier AI with important challenges in environmental science. Relevant computational research areas include explainability, causal inference, uncertainty quantification and optimization, while environmental applications may include climate impacts, sustainability transitions, ecosystem modelling and environmental monitoring.

The university is also interested in research involving AI-supported data analysis, monitoring and prediction for areas such as supply-chain tracing, land-use change and sustainable resource management. Decision-support systems for sustainability policy and planning are another important area of interest.

The ideal candidate will be able to move between computational methodology and environmental application rather than working within only one disciplinary area. Experience building collaborations between computer science, environmental science and sustainability practitioners will therefore be particularly valuable. Engagement with policymakers, industry partners or environmental organizations is considered a strong advantage.

The successful Associate Professor will also contribute to the development of a research group that combines methodological innovation with real-world environmental impact. A major part of the role will involve securing external research funding and building a collaborative research environment that supports interdisciplinary work.

Responsibilities of the Associate Professor

The successful candidate will conduct independent research in computational environmental science, with particular emphasis on AI and data science applications that advance both computational methodology and environmental understanding.

Teaching is an important part of the position. The Associate Professor will teach one course annually at LIACS at Bachelor’s or Master’s level and one course annually at CML, with the courses connected to the candidate’s research expertise. The role also includes contributing to other relevant educational activities across the two institutes.

Student supervision will form another substantial part of the position. The successful candidate will supervise Bachelor’s and Master’s thesis students from computer science, AI and environmental sciences programmes and will co-supervise PhD students working on computational environmental science topics.

Research funding is also central to the position. The candidate will be expected to secure external funding for research projects, including opportunities through European framework programmes such as Horizon Europe as well as the Dutch national research council NWO.

In addition to research, teaching and supervision, the Associate Professor will participate in institutional committees and contribute to academic activities within LIACS, CML, Leiden University and the wider international research community.

The role also involves helping to develop and promote computational environmental science research and education, creating stronger connections between LIACS and CML.

About the Research Environment

The position is based within the Faculty of Science at Leiden University, an international research and teaching environment located in the heart of the Bio Science Park. The Bio Science Park is one of Europe’s major science parks and provides an environment where academic research and industry can interact closely.

The Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS) is the Faculty of Science’s institute for Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science. Research at LIACS covers core areas of computer science, artificial intelligence and data science, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary applications.

The institute’s research includes fundamental work in areas such as machine learning, optimization, computer vision, natural computing and data science. At the same time, LIACS researchers collaborate with industry, government and civil society to address practical challenges.

The Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) is one of Europe’s established environmental research institutes. Founded in 1978, CML has contributed to research in areas including life cycle assessment, industrial ecology and conservation biology.

Its research addresses environmental problems across different scales, from molecular processes to global systems, and across sectors including agriculture, energy, manufacturing and urban planning. Current areas of focus include sustainability assessment, circular economy, biodiversity conservation, environmental governance and climate adaptation.

CML also maintains strong connections with industry, government and civil society, allowing its research to contribute to sustainability transitions through evidence-based approaches and policy support.

The joint nature of this position provides access to the strengths of both institutes. The successful candidate will have access to advanced computational facilities at LIACS, including high-performance computing resources, as well as environmental datasets, laboratory facilities and industry partnerships available through CML.

Who Should Apply?

The position is intended for an established academic with a strong research profile in computational environmental science or a closely related area. Applicants should hold a PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science or Environmental Science with a strong computational component.

Candidates should have an academic, creative and open mindset, together with a demonstrated ability to work across disciplinary boundaries. Research independence is important, but so is the ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary teams and take on supervisory responsibilities.

Your research agenda should address questions that are fundamental to both frontier AI and environmental science. Relevant AI areas include causal inference, explainability, uncertainty quantification and optimization, while environmental applications can include climate impacts, sustainability assessment, ecosystem modelling and environmental monitoring.

Experience supervising PhD students is required, as is experience obtaining external research funding. The position particularly values experience with international funding programmes such as EU Horizon Europe, MSCA Networks and ERC, together with evidence of strategic thinking about future interdisciplinary funding opportunities.

Teaching experience is also expected, including course development and supervision of student projects. Candidates should have an internationally recognized research profile demonstrated through activities such as collaborations, invited talks or other forms of peer recognition.

Excellent proficiency in English is required. Fluency in Dutch is an advantage, although candidates who are willing to learn Dutch are also encouraged to apply.

Salary and Employment Conditions

The position is offered at Associate Professor (UHD) level and is divided equally between LIACS and CML. The initial appointment is for one year. Following a positive evaluation of research progress and personal compatibility, the appointment can be extended further toward a permanent position.

The employment contract falls under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. Career-development arrangements will be discussed upon appointment in accordance with Leiden University’s policy for scientific staff.

The salary ranges from €6,512 to €7,904 gross per month based on a full-time 38-hour working week and Payscale 13. The employment package also includes an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus and an ABP pension scheme.

Leiden University also provides full reimbursement of public transport commuting costs for home-to-work travel. Flexible working arrangements are available, with a minimum of 29 days of leave based on a full-time 38-hour working week.

Employees can also save additional leave by working more hours. For example, working 40 hours per week can provide an additional 96 leave hours, while employees can also exchange 96 leave hours for a 36-hour working week.

Additional employment benefits include options for a sabbatical or paid parental leave, as well as the possibility of exchanging leave days or salary for benefits such as a sports subscription or bicycle scheme.

Where the nature of the work allows it, hybrid working within the Netherlands is possible. The university also provides a home-working allowance covering day and internet expenses and supplies the successful candidate with a laptop.

An Interdisciplinary Academic Career

One of the strongest features of this position is its interdisciplinary structure. The Associate Professor will not be based solely within computer science or environmental science but will work across both areas.

This makes the role particularly relevant to researchers whose work naturally combines computational methods with environmental applications. It provides an opportunity to develop research that addresses fundamental methodological questions while also producing knowledge that can be applied to climate, biodiversity, sustainability and environmental governance.

The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to build and lead a research group. This includes developing a long-term research agenda, attracting external funding, supervising researchers and students, and creating collaborations across academic and non-academic organizations.

For an established researcher looking to expand into computational environmental science, the position therefore combines research leadership, education, funding development and interdisciplinary institution-building.

Diversity and Academic Environment

LIACS and CML aim to maintain inclusive and dynamic research environments that support interdisciplinary collaboration. Leiden University emphasizes diversity, equity and inclusivity as important elements of its academic values.

The university aims to create a community in which students and staff feel valued and respected and can develop their full potential. Different experiences and perspectives are viewed as an important contribution to both teaching and research.

Application Requirements

Applications must be submitted online by August 31, 2026.

Applicants should prepare a cover letter of no more than one page explaining their motivation and describing how their research connects AI or data science with environmental science.

A research statement is also required. This statement should describe the candidate’s vision for computational environmental science research and explain how that research contributes to both computational methodology and environmental understanding.

Applicants must also submit a teaching statement explaining their approach to teaching across disciplinary boundaries and their vision for courses at both LIACS and CML.

A full academic CV is required and should include a working link to the applicant’s public Google Scholar profile, a brief overview of completed PhD supervisions and information about funded projects.

Applicants should additionally provide the names and contact details of at least three people who can be contacted as references. These individuals should have agreed to be contacted, but reference letters do not need to be submitted at this stage.

Important Dates and Contact Information

The application deadline is August 31, 2026. Applications should be submitted through Apply now online application system.

Inquiries about this position can be directed to: Prof. Dr. Martina Vijver, Scientific Director of CML (email Vijver@cml.leidenuniv.nl) or Prof. Dr. Marcello Bonsangue, Scientific Director of LIACS, (email m.m.bonsangue@liacs.leidenuniv.nl). If you have any questions about the procedure, please contact jobs@liacs.leidenuniv.nl

Apply now

Position Details at a Glance

Detail	Information
Position	Associate Professor in Computational Environmental Science
Academic level	Associate Professor (UHD)
Vacancy number	16714
University	Leiden University
Faculty	Faculty of Science
Institutes	LIACS and CML
Location	Leiden, Netherlands
Employment	0.8–1.0 FTE
Contract hours	32–38 hours per week
Initial contract	1 year
Potential continuation	Extension toward permanent appointment after positive evaluation
Salary	€6,512–€7,904 gross per month
Full-time basis	38 hours per week
Payscale	13
Holiday allowance	8%
End-of-year bonus	8.3%
Pension	ABP
Required degree	PhD
Application deadline	August 31, 2026
Working language	English
Dutch	Advantage or willingness to learn

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Associate Professor position at Leiden University about?

The position focuses on computational environmental science and aims to connect artificial intelligence, data science and advanced computational methods with environmental research and sustainability challenges.

Which research areas are particularly relevant?

The position welcomes research involving AI topics such as causal inference, explainability, uncertainty quantification and optimization, combined with environmental applications such as climate impacts, sustainability assessment, ecosystem modelling and environmental monitoring.

Which institutes are involved?

The position is jointly hosted by the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS) and the Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) within the Faculty of Science at Leiden University.

What degree is required?

Applicants should have a PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science or Environmental Science with a strong computational component.

Is external funding experience required?

Yes. Applicants are expected to have experience obtaining external research funding, including international funding opportunities such as Horizon Europe, MSCA Networks or ERC, and should demonstrate strategic thinking about future interdisciplinary funding.

Is PhD supervision experience required?

Yes. Experience supervising PhD students is listed among the requirements, and the successful candidate will be expected to supervise Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD researchers.

Does the position involve teaching?

Yes. The successful candidate will teach one course annually at LIACS and one course annually at CML at Bachelor’s or Master’s level, in addition to contributing to other relevant educational activities.

What is the salary?

The salary ranges from €6,512 to €7,904 gross per month based on a full-time 38-hour working week and Payscale 13.

Is the position permanent?

The position initially has a one-year contract. After a positive evaluation of research progress and personal compatibility, the appointment can be extended further toward a permanent position.

Can the position be part-time?

Yes. The vacancy is advertised at 0.8–1.0 FTE, corresponding to a minimum of 32 and a maximum of 38 contract hours per week.

Is Dutch required?

Excellent English proficiency is required. Dutch fluency is an advantage, but the university also states that willingness to learn Dutch is an advantage.

Is hybrid working available?

Yes. Where the work allows it, hybrid working within the Netherlands is possible. The university also provides a home-working allowance and a laptop.

What documents are required for the application?

Applicants need a cover letter of no more than one page, a research statement, a teaching statement, a full academic CV with a working Google Scholar link, an overview of completed PhD supervisions and funded projects, and the contact information of at least three academic references.

Do I need to submit reference letters?

No. At this stage, applicants only need to provide the names and contact details of at least three people who have agreed to act as references. Reference letters are not required with the initial application.

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is August 31, 2026.

Where is the position located?

The position is based in Leiden, the Netherlands, within the Faculty of Science and the two participating institutes, LIACS and CML.