Do you want to use artificial intelligence, geospatial data science, and urban analytics to create healthier and more equitable cities? Are you excited about developing innovative AI systems that translate scientific evidence into practical urban design solutions?

Your job

At Utrecht University, you will be part of the transdisciplinary ELEVATE project: Healthy living environments create healthy physical activity-related habits. As a postdoctoral researcher, you will lead the development of an innovative AI-enabled recommender system for urban (re)design. The system will combine street-view imagery (SVIs), geospatial data, mobility data, and qualitative insights to generate evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, planners, and researchers to create healthier urban environments. You will work closely with a transdisciplinary team, including social and industrial partners.

Your main responsibilities include:

• developing an AI-powered recommender system for healthy urban (re)design;
• integrating multi-source datasets, including street-view imagery, GIS data, smartphone mobility data, and qualitative insights;
• applying and adapting state-of-the-art foundational AI and machine learning models (e.g., multimodal AI, large language/world models) with specific finetuning for ELEVATE;
• designing geographically context-sensitive urban design recommendations that promote active mobility (e.g., walking, cycling) related physical activity;
• finetuning, evaluating, and improving model performance using local data and ensuring explainability, fairness, and robustness of the model outputs;
• collaborating with municipalities, urban planners, designers, and residents in model co-creation and validation workshops;
• contributing to the development of an interactive, publicly accessible web interface (e.g., with a chat facility) for the recommender system;
• publishing high-quality scientific articles in international journals;
• presenting findings at conferences and stakeholder events;
• contributing to the supervision of MSc students and collaborating within the broader ELEVATE consortium.

Your qualities

We are looking for an enthusiastic and collaborative researcher with a strong technical background and an interest in societal impact. You have:

Must have criteria:

• a PhD in computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, computational social science, urban analytics, geoinformatics, or a related field;
• experience with foundational AI model development/fine-tuning and machine learning and/or deep learning;
• strong programming skills (e.g., Python, JavaScript, PostgreSQL) with clear expertise in front-end and back-end development
• strong communication and academic writing skills; 

Good to have criteria:

• experience working with geospatial or image-based data;
• an interest in urban health, mobility, public space, or sustainable cities;
• the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams.

Our offer

We offer:

• a position 1.0 FTE for 12 months. After a positive evaluation, the position can be extended to 29.5 months;
• a working week of 36 - 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between € 3.706 and €5.760 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

About us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

More information

For more information, please contact Marco Helbich (PI) at m.helbich@uu.nl or SM Labib at s.m.labib@uu.nl

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Apply now

At Utrecht University, we strive to be a place where everyone feels at home. We value colleagues with different backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including differences in culture, religion or ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, neurodiversity, disability and age. We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and contribute. Read more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. If you have any questions about accessibility, for example regarding your workplace Vening Meineszgebouw A, the application process or your work, please contact us via our HR contact page.

Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology.

To apply, please send, via the ‘apply now’ button:

• a motivation letter (max. 2 pages);
• your curriculum vitae (with links to published code and papers);
• contact details of two referees;
• one representative publication or project example. 

The application deadline is 15 October 2026.