AUV-Technician (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle)

NIOZ, the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research is the national oceanographic institute and the Netherlands’ center of expertise for ocean, sea and coastal research. NIOZ aims at advancing fundamental understanding of marine systems, the way they change, the role they play in climate and biodiversity, and how they may provide sustainable solutions to society in the future. NIOZ also provides the Netherlands’ marine scientific community with state-of-the-art research vessels and equipment. Knowledge and seagoing facilities are available to the wider marine science community, both nationally and internationally. Seagoing infrastructure at NIOZ is provided through our department of National Marine Facilities (NMF). Here we develop innovative solutions and continuously update and upgrade our capabilities. To serve the marine science community, we have embarked on an ambitious renewal of the national research fleet and seagoing equipment between 2020 and 2025. This renewal includes setting up a Marine Robotics group, which will operate and further develop a suite of autonomous and remotely controlled underwater and surface vehicles. For this group we are now hiring five new staff. The new group will consist of four technicians and a tenure track scientist.

The new robotics group at NIOZ, with its unique collaboration of engineers with scientists and the already existing in-house work facilities, give NIOZ a unique edge in developing novel equipment and instruments for the future. Together with our university partners, we will develop accompanying research programmes and opportunities to use the new equipment and research fleet

As AUV Technician, your focus is on the deployment, configuration and technical development of our autonomous underwater vehicle (2000 meter AUV). You will be involved in preparing missions, operating the AUV at sea, analyzing data, adjusting sensors and maintaining the systems. Besides AUV’s, you will also work on other systems within the robotics department such as AUVs, ROVs and the instrument pool.

Tasks:

• Prepare and program autonomous missions

• Maintain, test and modify AUV hardware and sensors

• Calibrate and document data instrumentation

• Analyze and process incoming data

• Collaborate with colleagues and researchers for optimal deployment

THE CANDIDATE

• You have completed an HBO-level education in Maritime Engineering, Maritime Officer, Electrical Engineering, Ocean Technology (Hydrography), or a similar field or have relevant work experience.

• Preferably have experience as a marine equipment technician e.g. survey equipment or ROV, AUV, USV

• Good problem-solving skills and the ability to act quickly in challenging situations.

• Able to work independently and communicate effectively with the team.

• Organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Willingness to travel and work in locations around the world.

• You can read technical drawings both mechanical and electrical.

• You have command of English, both oral and written or willing to learn Dutch.

• You have a flexible, enthusiastic and service-oriented attitude.

• You are representative and can cope well with stressful situations.

• You are confident and have the courage to take responsibility.

NIOZ wants to be a transparent institute with a healthy working climate and an inclusive culture, where people from diverse backgrounds and gender bring their talents and further develop these talents. We aim for inclusive decision-making processes and expect our leadership to show visible commitment, awareness of bias, and cultural intelligence.

Please note that non-EU citizen can only apply for this position when they have a valid work permit for working in the Netherlands as it is not regarded as a scientific position.          

THE CONDITIONS

• Employment of this full-time position at Royal NIOZ is by NWO-I for a duration of 1 year with prospects of a permanent position.

• Salary compliant with CAO-WVOI (Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Research Institutes) scale 8 or 9, depending on relevant experience.

• The freedom to fulfil your role and space and opportunities for your personal (talent) development with the help of the NIOZ Academy.

• 338 annualized holiday hours for a full-time 40-hour work week.

• Pension scheme via ABP, 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.33%.

• 2nd class public transportation travel is reimbursed 100%.

• Employment benefits plan to exchange a portion of your salary for days off or vice versa or can be used to purchase a bicycle with tax benefits.

• NIOZ offers relocation expenses for employees and support with finding accommodation.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about this vacancy, please contact Yvo Witte (Team coordinator NMF support). For additional information about the procedure, please send an e-mail to working@nioz.nl.

The closing date for this vacancy will be the 31st of August 2025.