As a researcher on “Computer Vision Technology for animal science” you will strengthen our team at the department Animal Health and Welfare of Wageningen Livestock Research. Within our interdisciplinary team you are going to contribute on various animal welfare related projects. Image processing and handling large volumes of data are also one of you main responsibilities.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• Executing projects related to novel developments in animal husbandry with a focus on computer vision and machine learning applications;
• contributing to the development of sustainable animal production systems;
• developing new image analysis and control software for the detection of (behaviours of) various species of animals, using various camera techniques such as RGB, 3D, spectral or thermal imaging;
• applying modern machine learning methods such as deep learning and reinforcement learning, develops new AI algorithms for animal behaviour and animal health; deals with time series; uses various sensors; deals with data fusion;
• conducting applied scientific research within the projects;
• leading and working in (multiple) projects together with other academic and industrial partners;
• communicating relevant research results to science and practise.

You will work here
The Department Animal health and Welfare is an enthusiastic team of about 45 employees working on innovation, research and knowledge exchange. Many research challenges have an interdisciplinary character and concern major themes like animal welfare, transport, sustainability, responsible livestock farming and animal health. The department works on welfare and health of cattle, swine, poultry and fish, and on smart livestock farming with sensor technology and big data analyses. In our work, image processing (both from photo and video footage) and using multiple sensors as a means to collect data is becoming more and more important. Therefore, we look for a new research colleague to support us with image processing.

Programme Agro Food Robotics
In the field of Agro Food Robotics research and development, Wageningen University & Research is worldwide the most experienced and innovative organisation. More than 40 engineers and researchers work together with academic and industrial partners on new systems in the area of automation, sensing, AI and robotics for agri and food.
We design agricultural automation and robotic systems for open field, indoor horticulture, livestock, fisheries, fresh chains and food, together with many experts on these application fields within Wageningen. The research topics are:

• Tools and sensors that enable precision farming
• Robotic harvesting and crop manipulation
• Machine vision based tools for phenotyping and quality assessment (2D, 3D, motion tracking including the spectral range from X-ray, colour and TerraHz)

You are an enthusiastic and ambitious researcher computer vision and machine learning. You are customer- and quality-oriented and stress tolerant. You possess good communication skills and team spirit.

You also possess:

• Academic working and thinking on the field of computer vision and machine learning, study in e.g. artificial intelligence, natural or biomedical science (at MSc or PhD level);
• Knowledge of various image analysis techniques, data analysis methods, classification and statistics;
• Knowledge of various modern machine learning techniques, such as deep learning and reinforcement learning methods;
• Experience with the structured development of complex software, programming in Python;
• Experience in running computer vision models: object detection, augment segmentation, OpenCV;
• Knowledge of lighting, optics and camera systems (2D, 3D) including calibration and control; knowledge of various sensor types, data output and practical usage of such sensors;
• Experience with the application of image processing and machine learning in the green environment and willingness to learn the challenges of animal science;
• Affinity with livestock production systems and animal health and welfare;
• Affinity with big data analytics, including IT aspects to collect, store and analyse data;
• Willingness to combine theoretical knowledge with practical setups and implementation;
• Experience with project-based work and project leadership;

In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about language level C1 If you do not yet have this level, we will of course help you and you can go to our language center Wageningen in'to Language

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation hours by working more, per week;
• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8,3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. We offer, depending on your experience, a competitive gross salary of between € 3.088,- and € 5.035,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10). Additionally, a contract for 0,89 FTE can be discussed. You will initially receive a one-year contract, which will be extended upon mutual enthusiasm.

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a multi-faceted position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 18th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.
Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling. For instance under the "30% rule", certain categories of international staff can receive tax exemption on approximately 30% of their gross salary.

Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University & Research
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.