Doctoral scholarship holder coastal wetland adaptability to sea level rise

Department: Department of Biology
Regime Full-time

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The Department of Biology in the Faculty of Sciences is looking for a full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship holder in the field of Coastal wetland adaptability to sea level rise

Position

• Project background and objective : Tidal marshes are vital wetland ecosystems but face serious threat from rising sea levels. To survive, they need a consistent supply of suspended sediment to build land and prevent submersion. However, understanding sediment dynamics is complex and remains under-explored, leading to uncertain models of marsh evolution. The project aims to deepen our knowledge of sediment dynamics over space and time, thereby enhancing our ability to better constrain and model sediment supply to tidal marshes. We will conduct field studies in the Scheldt estuary to collect new data on suspended sediment concentration, composition, and sinking speed, considering variations across a tidal marsh landscape and over time, from tidal cycles to multiple years. This data will be then integrated into an advanced numerical model that simulates the dynamic interactions between tidal hydrodynamics, sediment transport and elevation change, and marsh vegetation. By applying the model to different sediment supply scenarios, we aim to improve our assessments of marsh adaptability to sea level rise.
• Project organization:  You will work in a team, interacting with prof. Jean-Philippe Belliard and other professors, field and lab technicians, PhD students and post-docs working on coastal wetland bio-geomorphology and other ecological processes in coastal, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. As this project is in collaboration with the ECODAM research group of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (Brussels, Belgium), you will also closely interact with researchers there working on monitoring sediment dynamics and ecosystem modelling.

Profile

• You hold a Master degree in Civil engineering, Bio-engineering, Geology, Physical Geography, Oceanography, Marine Sciences, or related disciplines; or you will have obtained it by the time you start work.
• You can demonstrate excellent study results.
• Preferably, you have a background knowledge on sediment transport/dynamics in aquatic ecosystems; basic understanding of the ecological, hydrological, and geomorphological functioning of tidal systems (estuaries, coastal lagoons, marshes, mangroves...) is a plus.
• You have good programming skills (Python, Fortran, R or equivalent) and show a keen interest in computer modelling.
• You are not afraid of field work in often challenging conditions (in terms of mud, water…) in tidal marshes.
• You possess a driving license.
• You have good English oral and writing skills, as you are expected to publish the findings in scientific journals and effectively communicate results to national and international conferences, and may contribute to supporting teaching for courses on Estuarine & Coastal Systems, and Geographical Information Systems.
• You are open, communicative, and keen on interacting with the project partners, as this attitude is essential for the success of the project.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision .
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies .
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.

What we offer

• We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of two years. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed once for another two-year period.
• The planned start date is 1 October 2024 or as soon as possible after that date.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts  for doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
• You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• You will do most of your work at campus Drie Eiken in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here .
• You will be appointed as “visiting researcher” at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, which is located at commuting distance from UAntwerp, and hosts one of the most important natural history collections in Europe.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including the 19th of August 2024 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments:
  • a motivation letter,
  • your CV,
  • contact information of max. 2 reference persons.
• The selection committee will review all applications by 23 August. As soon as a decision is made, we will inform you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be invited for an interview session that will be scheduled during the week of 02-06 September 2024.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions  or send an email to [email protected] . If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Jean-Philippe Belliard, e-mail: [email protected]  or Olivier Gourgue, email: [email protected]

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award  for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity  and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.