Research Scientist in InSAR-Geodesy Utrecht

Want to make your mark on our time? Become a Research Scientist in InSAR-Geodesy at TNO Geological Survey of the Netherlands (TNO-GDN) in Utrecht.

About this position

Do you want to use satellite data to help address societal challenges related to subsidence, seismicity, groundwater management, and sustainable energy? To strengthen our Geomechanics team, we are looking for a research scientist in InSAR-Geodesy. In this role, you will work with experts to advance InSAR-based observation techniques for monitoring natural and human-induced geohazards. You will turn raw SAR satellite data into reliable deformation time series and help translate these data into insights that are directly valuable for research, projects, and clients.

What will be your role?

You will work across the full InSAR processing chain, from data processing and quality control to interpretation. You will develop software tools that make our processing robust, scalable, and reproducible. At the same time, you will have the opportunity to integrate these InSAR observations with physical modelling of geohazards, such as subsidence, earthquakes, mining and post-mining effects, and infrastructure monitoring. In doing so, you will help build knowledge that supports topics such as groundwater management, mining activities, geothermal energy, and energy storage.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and maintain software for advanced InSAR data processing, such as interferogram formation, phase unwrapping, atmospheric correction, and time-series inversion.
• Process and quality-control multi-temporal InSAR stacks to derive ground deformation products.
• Improve and automate existing InSAR processing workflows for operational and research use.
• Integrate InSAR-derived deformation measurements with geomechanical models.
• Contribute to research proposals, technical reports, and scientific publications.
• Support project acquisition and client communication.

What we expect from you

You enjoy working in multidisciplinary project teams and are motivated by connecting science, technology, and practical applications. Your work will include InSAR processing, algorithm development, and research, as well as contributing to proposals, reports, and scientific publications. You will also help identify new project opportunities and maintain contact with clients. You will join a team with strong expertise in geomechanics, particularly in human-induced subsidence and seismicity. As you will collaborate with international colleagues and partners, you are able to communicate effectively in English.

What else do you bring?

• A PhD in geodesy, geophysics, or remote sensing. Other relevant degrees will also be considered.
• Hands-on experience with InSAR data processing, for example with GAMMA, ISCE, StaMPS, GMTSAR, or similar software packages.
• Demonstrated experience processing and analyzing SAR data from Sentinel-1, RadarSAT-2, TerraSAR-X, or other commercial satellites.
• Solid understanding of InSAR error sources and correction methods, such as atmospheric delay, orbital errors, phase unwrapping, and DEM errors.
• Strong coding and software development skills, preferably in Python. Experience with geospatial or SAR libraries is a plus.
• Solid understanding of geodetic concepts and experience with GPS/GNSS data processing is desirable.
• Research background in geomechanics or ground deformation modelling.
• Strong analytical skills and a solid research track record.
• Ability to write high-quality academic texts as well as clear, concise reports, proposals, and grants.
• Able to work independently, responsibly, and in a results-driven manner.
• Customer-oriented with good communication skills.
• Interest in both research and business-to-business consultancy projects.
• Interest in participating in the acquisition of new projects.

What you'll get in return

Challenging and varied work with a real impact. And plenty of opportunities as, at TNO, you are in charge of shaping your career. We offer a gross monthly salary between € 4.100 and € 5.900 (based on your knowledge and experience), 8% holiday pay, a 13th month bonus of 8.33% and a flex budget (5.58% + € 180). In addition, you will be given every opportunity to develop yourself.

TNO offers optional employee benefits, enabling you to tailor your benefits package to match your personal situation. You may also expect:

• An extremely professional, innovative working environment where colleagues are leading experts in their field.
• The opportunity to attend courses, workshops and conferences, and to receive training and coaching based on your needs.
• 33 days annual leave plus a flexible holiday that can be used on a cultural, religious, or otherwise important day of your choosing (on a full-time basis).
• Flexible working hours, the possibility to work parttime (32 or 36 hours) and the possibility of working from home.
• A good pension scheme.

TNO as an employer

Our people are at the heart of TNO. Their curiosity, expertise and entrepreneurial mindset make it possible to deliver high-impact research and innovations that contribute to society’s sustainable wellbeing and prosperity.

Your talent and ambition have every opportunity to flourish at TNO. You work with experts (both within and beyond TNO), have access to advanced technology and the freedom to explore, experiment and innovate. Our strength lies in independence, reliability and collaboration.