Associate Professor in Computational Environmental Science; FTE

Associate Professor in Computational Environmental Science (0.8-1.0 FTE)

Job Description Associate Professor in Computational Environmental Science (0.8-1.0 FTE) Vacancy number: 16714 Job type:
Academic staff Contract hours min: 32 Contract hours max: 38

Location:

Leiden Applying is possible up to and including: 31 augustus 2026 Apply now

The Faculty of Science at Leiden University, through the Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) and the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS), invites applications for a position in Computational Environmental Science at Associate Professor (UHD) level.

Both LIACS and CML face converging scientific and societal challenges driven by climate change, biodiversity loss, and the transition to sustainable socio-ecological systems. At the same time, rapid advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, and computational modeling are transforming how complex environmental systems are studied, monitored, and governed. This initiative aligns strongly with European and Dutch research priorities around climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, digital twins of the Earth, trustworthy AI, and data-driven sustainability.

We welcome candidates whose research addresses questions that are central to both frontier AI research (such as explainability, causality, and uncertainty quantification) and cutting-edge environmental science (such as climate impacts, sustainability transitions, and ecosystem modelling). Areas of particular interest include AI-supported data-driven analysis, monitoring and predictions for tracing supply chains, land-use change and sustainable resource management, as well as decision-support systems for sustainability policy and planning.

Ideally, candidates will bridge computational methods with environmental applications and contribute to interdisciplinary collaborations between computer science, environmental science, and sustainability practitioners. A proven track record of engagement with policy makers, industry partners, and/or environmental organizations will be considered a strong advantage.

The successful candidate will contribute to educational programs at bachelor and master level, and supervise bachelor, master, and PhD students at the intersection of computational methods and environmental science.

In addition, the candidate is expected to secure external research funding to build and lead a research group offering a collaborative and supportive environment that values interdisciplinary research and real-world impact on environmental sustainability.

What you will do

Conduct independent research in computational environmental science, with emphasis on AI and data science applications that advance computational methodology and environmental understanding;

Teach at Bachelor/Master level one course annually at LIACS and one course at CML, related to the candidate’s research expertise;

Contribute to other relevant courses and educational activities across both institutes;

Supervise BSc and MSc thesis students from computer science, AI, and environmental sciences programs;

(Co-)supervise PhD students in computational environmental science topics;

Secure external funding for research projects, including EU framework programs (e.g., Horizon Europe) and the Dutch national research council NWO;

Participate in institutional committees and contribute to academic activities within LIACS, CML, Leiden University, and the broader international research community;

Contribute to the development and promotion of computational environmental science research and education, building bridges between the two institutes.

Where you will work
The Leiden Faculty of Science is a world‑class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. We are located in the heart of the Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s largest science parks, where academy and industry come together.

The Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS) is the Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science institute of the Faculty of Science of Leiden University. Research at LIACS spans core areas of Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence,…