Junior Machine Learning Engineer Leiden • Stichting Naturalis Biodiversity Center

Vacature in het kort

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Do you want to apply AI where it truly matters — protecting biodiversity? As Junior Machine Learning Engineer at Naturalis, you'll help build and implement large-scale AI models and tools to understand biodiversity. Your work supports citizen science and helps track nature across the Netherlands.
As a Junior ML engineer

• You learn how to translate recent research into the functionality of the (specialized) AI models themselves.
• You learn how to play an important role in the software development of the training pipeline for large scale models.
• You get plenty of room to be involved in experimentation and innovation and connect with colleagues in Naturalis and in our partner organisations, nationally and internationally.

This is what you'll be doing
As a Junior ML Engineer at Naturalis, you work together with colleagues and partners to meet the large AI ambitions of Naturalis. You contribute to the development of tools for building, and deploying large scale multimodal foundational models. You use modern technologies in an organisation that highly encourages the usage of Open Source technologies. Furthermore, you learn how to automate the deployment and integration of these models and support end users to help them develop their own models.
Your work supports high-impact programs such as ARISE and eDentity, which use AI, digital media, sensors, and DNA samples to monitor biodiversity and identify species. Because of your contribution it is possible for researchers and partners to identify and analyse nature data. And of course you’ll keep up to date with recent developments in deep learning.

Gevraagd

What you bring to the table
A collaborative attitude, allowing you to adapt smoothly when working with colleagues, whether they are your team mates, project leaders or collection managers. You are an eager and quick learner. You can communicate technical information clearly, can listen well and ask questions. You understand the need for planning and prioritizing, so that changes and releases are available in a timely manner. You analyze incidents quickly and you dare to make decisions to find solutions.
Furthermore you have:

• Bachelor or Master-level (preferred) in a relevant field, such as ICT, AI, Computer Science or Biology with a data-driven character.
• Hands-on experience with machine learning and advanced data analysis.
• Hands-on experience with ML technologies such as Python, Tensorflow, Pytorch, and Pandas.

Aanbod

Here's what we have to offer

• A gross monthly salary of € 3.463,- to € 4.500,- for a full-time contract (36 hours).
• End-of-year bonus of 3.4% of your gross annual salary and 8% holiday pay.
• Time off thanks to 27 days of leave per year with full-time employment. Plus 1 extra day that you can use for a holiday that is important to you.
• Commuting allowance depending on your means of transport.
• Pension scheme via PFZW, where Naturalis pays 60% of your premium.
• A focus on your work-life balance. You can work partly from home and schedule your workday between 07.00 and 19.00.
• Plenty of development opportunities. We support your growth and give you unlimited access to the online training platform Goodhabitz as well as creating a personalized development plan together.
• Fascinating knowledge events. These help you stay up to date on the latest developments in both your own field and outside it, such as our lectures and gatherings on various (scientific) topics. You can also attend – or take part in – the fascinating internal information session Naturalis Draait Door.
• A laptop and phone allowance.
• Nice extras such as discounts on software and hardware for private use, collective health insurance plans, and a bicycle scheme. You’ll also enjoy discounts in our museum restaurant and unlimited free access to our award-winning museum for you and your family.
• Fun team outings. We also get together for drinks every month, organise an annual BBQ and a fantastic New Year's party. Not your scene? That's fine too, of course. All team activities are voluntary.
• A unique work environment in a state-of-the-art building where you will feel proud to work every single day – we guarantee it!

The world lies at your feet! Literally. Whatever your role may be, you contribute to the preservation of our planet on a daily basis. Naturalis Biodiversity Center …

• is the national research and knowledge institute and a key player in biodiversity data and infrastructures;
• houses one of the largest natural history collections in the world.
• welcomes 500,000 museum visitors per year.
• collaborates with universities, expertise centres and museums around the world.
• has a staff of diverse colleagues in various functions and with many different nationalities, with whom you will work together in an informal atmosphere.

This is your team
Contributions that really matter for biodiversity. You can do that within the Application Development and Management department, where you work together with 22 enthusiastic IT colleagues. What characterizes us? The diversity. We count different job functions - from junior to lead -, multiple nationalities and we work on the most diverse applications. We work in product teams that have stepwise improvement in their DNA. And we are innovative: we work platform-independently and are at the forefront of using new technologies. Whenever possible, we use open source technology and make the software we develop available as open source as well.
The product team you will be a member of, consists of machine learning engineers and software developers. Your team is responsible for managing, maintaining, improving and renewing about 10+ applications. In addition, your team also works on new applications. You make sure that the applications are safe, stable, scalable and user-friendly and work closely with colleagues from other departments and internal and external stakeholders.

Become our new Junior ML engineer

• Upload your CV and motivation letter via the application button before October 9th 2025.
• Want to know more about the position before you apply? Call Wilfred Gerritsen, Head of the Application Development and Management department via 06 – 227 07 176 or send an email to via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina..
• For more information about the application procedure, you can send an email to our colleagues in the P&O department via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina..

We are managing the recruitment for this vacancy ourselves; unsolicited acquisition is therefore not desired.

Uren

32 - 36 uur
32-36