Two junior developers for the Digital Industry Centre

Job Description

The candidates will be working in the OpenIoT Research Unit (RU) focusing its research activities on gaining leading knowledge and supporting the design and creation of innovative, standard-based and interoperable IoT-based solutions. The unit’s main competencies cover enabling technologies for the IoT and developing cutting-edge tools, infrastructural solutions and related reference architectural models at the device, edge, and cloud levels. By using cutting-edge AI-based methodologies, the final objective is to make these devices self-configurable, more autonomous and thus enduring. In particular, the research activities focus on the following research topics: (1) Fog/Edge-based IoT services, platforms and infrastructures; (2) Edge analytics through adaptation of AI techniques to embedded devices; (3) IoT Decentralization through Blockchains. Such research and knowledge are complemented by hands-on competencies in relevant application domains and novel use cases, such as precision agriculture and industrial IoT.

More information about the OpenIoT RU is available at

The OpenIoT RU is seeking Two (2) Junior Developers to collaborate closely with our multidisciplinary team of researchers, engineers, and developers. The primary objective of these roles is to drive innovation within the RU’s portfolio of research and industrial projects. The successful candidates will collaborate on the integration and validation of AI components in real-world agricultural scenarios, ensuring research-grade quality, traceability, and scientific rigor while writing clean, well-documented, and testable code in a collaborative environment.

While sharing these core objectives, the positions are specialized into two distinct profiles:

• Profile A: Junior AI Developer: Focused on advancing scientific research and development in LLM-based autonomous agents and intelligent decision-support systems within the Agritech domain, with the following specific tasks:
  • Design, implement, and validate LLM-based agent architectures, including prompt engineering, tool-use orchestration, and multi-agent workflows.
  • Explore and experiment with tool integration standards (e.g., Model Context Protocol) and apply Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) techniques to ground agent responses in domain-specific agricultural knowledge.
  • Maintain robust evaluation frameworks, such as automated benchmarks and regression tests, to ensure agent reliability and reproducibility.
• Profile B: Junior MLOps / Edge AI Developer: Focused on the development of edge-computing-oriented MLOps methodologies and tools to support the lifecycle of ML models, with the following specific tasks:
  • Contribute to the implementation and documentation of modules to enhance an internal MLOps platform and support the research unit’s ML workflows.
  • Design and implement benchmarking tools for the evaluation of modules on resource-constrained devices, such as single-board computers and microcontrollers.
  • Support the technical setup and monitoring of testing activities for edge computing and AI solutions.

Job requirements

• Academic background in computer science, artificial intelligence, or related engineering fields;
• Good knowledge of at least one programming language (Python, Java, or C/C++) and software design patterns (e.g., SOLID principles);
• Familiarity with software version control systems (e.g., Git).
• Language assessment according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): level of knowledge required. Knowledge of English will be verified during the interview on a technical or scientific topic and must be equal to or exceed level B2. Definitions of levels can be found at the following link
• Teamwork approach, good communication and relational skills;
• Strong orientation to results, determination, flexibility and aptitude for problem-solving.

Specific Technical Requirements

• For Profile B: Familiarity with MLOps methodologies and experiment tracking tools (e.g., MLFlow, Tensorboard, Weight & Biases).

Furthermore, the following elements will be positively evaluated:

• Experience with Agile methodologies and Test-Driven Development (TDD).
• Domain knowledge in agriculture or precision farming.

Specific further requirements

• For Profile A: Experience with data engineering practices (ETL) and both structured and unstructured data systems.
• For Profile B: Familiarity with containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes.

Employment

• Type of contract: fixed-term contract
• Working hours: full-time (38 h per week)
• Duration: 12 months
• Benefits: flexi-time, company subsidized cafeteria or meal vouchers, internal car park, welcome office support for visa formalities and for research in accommodation, supplementary pension Resaver, Laborfonds and health fund Sanifonds, family-work balance, free training courses, support on bank account opening, discount on public transport, sport, language course fees, counseling and psychological support service. More info at

Application

Interested candidates are requested to submit their application by completing the online form Please make sure that your application contains the following attachments (in pdf format):

• detailed CV;
• cover letter indicating why the candidate is suitable for this position.