POSTED: 14th January 2026
STARTING DATE: As soon as possible
FULL TIME/ROTTERDAM

MISSION TO METRICS

The mission of The Ocean Cleanup is to develop and scale technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic. As part of the Science & Technology team we design and research systems that stop plastic from reaching our oceans by intercepting it in rivers. As an Applied Data Scientist, you will analyze data from upcoming and existing deployments in rivers all around the world.

ASSIGNMENT

“We are seeking a proactive colleague with a hands-on mentality who is eager to make an impact by facilitating data-driven decisions. You will develop and implement analysis methodologies for performance assessments and plastic transport. You enjoy combining data from different (sensor, IoT, field campaigns) sources and working on the junction between data science, data analysis and data engineering. The R&D is applied to everyday and future operations of our deployments.”

RESPONSIBILITIES

As an Applied Data Scientist within the River Team, you will be:

• Analyzing and reporting data collected in our river deployments through a variety of sensors, fieldwork, campaigns and remote sensing methods.
• Supporting the acquisition, quality control, and analysis of different hydrological and remote sensing datasets.
• Doing R&D on plastic transport measurements and modelling methods to improve efficiency and protocols.
• Building proof-of-concepts for ETL and MlOps pipelines for remote monitoring or monitoring protocols.
• Responsible for detailing the requirements for data collection needed for analyzing the effectiveness and efficiency of our deployments.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

“Even if you don’t meet every professional qualification listed, we strongly encourage you to apply if you believe you have the right skills, experience, and motivation to contribute to our mission. We recognize that talent and potential come in many forms, and we value diverse perspectives and unconventional career paths. If you’re passionate about the work we do and confident in your ability to make an impact, don’t hesitate to submit your application—we’d love to hear from you”

• Master's degree in computer science, data science, physics, hydrology, or another geoscience related field.
• 2-5 years of relevant work experience.
• Experience with python (intermediate skill level) and software version control
• Experienced with processing geospatial data.
• Experience with ETL data pipelines in Databricks is a plus.
• Affinity with IoT and hydrological sensors is a plus.
• Fluent in English.

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Affinity with conveying technical data to non-technical colleagues.
• Eye for detail, especially related to graphics and visualizations.
• Able to deal with uncertainty, changes in scope and ambiguity.
• Able to perform well in a fast-paced and challenging environment.
• Curious, creative, and hands-on mentality. You can, and you like to execute things yourself.
• Willingness to travel abroad.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• Starting date As soon as possible.
• Location : The role is based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The ability to work in the Netherlands is a must.
• Conducting a pre-employment check is part of our recruitment process.
• At The Ocean Cleanup, we believe we are stronger together, while harnessing the uniqueness each individual brings. That is why we take a fair, equal opportunity, and transparent approach to hiring and welcome special needs requests.