Job for Researchers: Plant Sciences Unit Researcher Soil-plant modeling

About the Role

ILVO’s Plant Sciences Unit is seeking a Researcher in Soil-Plant Modeling to contribute to more sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture. Based in Merelbeke-Melle, this full-time, open-ended position offers the opportunity to work with mechanistic models, translate data into predictions, and collaborate with researchers, companies, and international partners on solutions to current agricultural challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and apply Functional Structural Soil-Plant Models (FSPMs) to investigate crop responses to water deficit, salt stress, and other environmental factors.
• Continue developing a hydraulic FSPM framework in Julia, informed by phenotyping data from field experiments.
• Integrate fundamental process insights into practical knowledge for plant breeding, soil management, and sustainable agricultural systems.
• Contribute to scientific publications and collaborate with researchers from various disciplines, as well as industrial and academic partners on national and European projects.

Requirements

• Education: Master degree in bioengineering, civil engineering, computer science, or an equivalent field. If you hold a foreign diploma, equivalence recognition from NARIC Vlaanderen will be required upon employment.
• Experience: At least 4 years of demonstrable experience processing large datasets (various types, time series, or spatial data).
• Technical skills: Familiarity with programming mathematical models (e.g., in Julia, R, or Python).
• Language: Good command of written and spoken English.
• Interest: Motivated to delve into soil-plant interactions, crop production, and soil physics.

What We Offer

• An open-ended contract with a competitive salary based on your degree (salary scale A165 or A166). A salary simulator allows you to estimate monthly salary, holiday bonus, and end-of-year allowance using relevant seniority.
• Additional benefits: hospitalization and group insurance, reimbursement of commuting costs (bicycle and public transport), meal vouchers (€8 per day), and bicycle leasing.
• The opportunity to work at the forefront of agricultural research, translating data-driven insights into actionable solutions for plant breeding, soil management, and sustainable farming.

How to Apply

The application deadline is Sunday, 2 August 2026. For more information about the position, please contact Tom De Swaef, Researcher (tel: +32 9 272 28 48) or Caroline Buyst, HR Specialist (tel: +32 9 272 25 12) at ILVO.

Original vacancy