PhD position – Resilience of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning across landscapes
Responsibilities:
Focusing on landscapes around Wageningen, you will explore how landscape context and previous ecosystem conditions affect the resilience of biodiversity and ecosystem functions to wildfires or other highly relevant disturbances. You will apply experimental approaches and repeated field assessments to understand resilience at the plot level.
Two PhD positions are offered:
-
PhD A: Focus on biodiversity (plants and animals)
-
PhD B: Focus on ecosystem functions and services (soils and vegetation)
Activities include: -
Designing and conducting field studies
-
Collecting biodiversity and/or ecosystem function data
-
Data analysis and modelling (in R)
-
Writing scientific publications
-
Co-supervising MSc thesis students
Requirements:
-
MSc in ecology, environmental sciences, or a related field
-
Experience with ecological fieldwork
-
Affinity and experience with data analysis and visualization in R
-
English fluency (C1 level)
-
Team player with organizational and communication skills
-
Driver’s license
-
Dutch fluency (or willingness to learn) is a plus
-
Taxonomic knowledge (e.g., plants, bees, soil fauna) is a plus
Location:
Wageningen, Netherlands
How to apply:
Submit via the vacancy page:
-
Cover letter (max. 2 pages) specifying motivation and preference for PhD A or B
-
CV (max. 2 pages) including contact info for two references
Deadline: Monday 12th of May 2025
Interviews planned for: Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 May 2025
Contact details:
-
Scientific queries: Dr. Amanda Taylor (amanda.taylor@wur.nl) or Dr. Dominic Martin (dominic.martin@wur.nl)
-
HR/process queries: Noorien Abbas (noorien.abbas@wur.nl)
We offer you:
-
Fully funded PhD for 4 years
-
Gross salary: €2.901/month (1st year) to €3.707/month (4th year)
-
Temporary contract (18 months, extended upon positive evaluation)
-
Paid parental leave, year-end bonus (8.3%), sports facilities on campus
-
Course program tailored to research needs
-
International support for relocation and visa, including partner job search and tax exemptions
