PhD: Contributing to biodiversity recovery using university campuses as labs

5 Apr 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Utrecht University

Research Field

Cultural studies

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

30 Apr 2024 - 21:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

40.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The Department of Sustainable Development is looking for a PhD researcher for a project in 'Contributing to biodiversity recovery using university campuses as living labs'.

Your job
We are seeking a PhD researcher to (1) evaluate the contribution of innovative biodiversity recovery measures at university campuses to biodiversity conservation targets at the city, regional and national scale, as well as international biodiversity conservation and recovery targets (EU targets, Aichi targets); (2) identify most effective measures for biodiversity recovery; and (3) evaluate how university communities can contribute to effective, long-term monitoring of biodiversity developments. Concretely, the PhD researcher will combine novel tools and approaches for biodiversity monitoring and mobilise students, researchers and other stakeholders to participate in such assessments. A successful PhD research realised within this programme will lead to guidelines on how measures for biodiversity recovery can best be planned and implemented in peri-urban areas such as university campuses; key performance indicators that are effective evaluation tools of biodiversity recovery; and hands-on and practical monitoring strategies for campus and city management.

The selected candidate will be part of the SUNSET Doctoral Network built around a community of leading scholars and 10 doctoral candidates (DCs) delivering insights into how universities and their host cities can collaborate and interact to achieve the digitalisation and sustainability goals set out by current European and global policy agendas. The network is purposefully international, intersectoral, and interdisciplinary. It consists of 6 academic and 16 non-academic partners in 5 European countries (Belgium – The Netherlands – Finland – Norway – Estonia). SUNSET emphasizes cooperative research and includes international mobility and intersectoral secondments to maximise the career potential of all DCs.

The PhD researcher will be supervised by a team of supervisors as part of the Marie-Curie Training Network.

• Host institution: Utrecht University, the Netherlands
• Supervisory team: Prof. Merel Soons (PhD main supervisor, Utrecht University), Prof. Aveliina Helm (PhD co-supervisor, University of Tartu), Dr. Sietze Norder (PhD co-supervisor, Utrecht University), Robin Aanstoot (National Park Utrechtse Heuvelrug)
• Enrolment in Doctoral School: Graduate School of Geosciences.

Planned secondments:

• University of Tartu (Fall 2026): Visiting Fellowship at the Mobility Lab
• National Park Utrechtse Heuvelrug (NPUH)(Fall 2025): the Doctoral Candidate will evaluate the contribution of UU Campus to regional biodiversity recovery and the biodiversity targets of NPUH

The expected starting date for the PhD is by 1st September 2024 at the latest.

Requirements
Specific Requirements

Knowledge, Skills & Experience (essential):

• You have a Master of Science in Environmental Science, Ecology or Sustainability Science, or related disciplines (a completed Master of Science degree by summer 2024);
• You have excellent research skills and ethical practices, including the ability to gather, analyse and interpret data as evidenced by successful completion of at least one research internship/project;
• You have an excellent command of the English language (in both written and oral form);
• You have ability to work both independently and in a team, you are collaborative and have team-player skills;
• You are a pro-active and motivated person, eager to participate in network-wide training events, international mobility, and public dissemination activities;
• You have good time management skills and ability to balance between the PhD and the research project demands;
• You have excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• You did not reside or carry out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status are not taken into account.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience (desirable):

• fluency in R for statistical analysis;
• experience with ecological fieldwork;
• experience with stakeholder engagement, knowledge exchange in workshops, focus groups, and participatory research activities;
• willingness to acquire new skills as required for the required research of the PhD project.

Additional Information
Benefits

• a temporary position (32-36 hours), initially for one year with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
• a full-time gross salary between €2,770 in the first year and €3,539 in the fourth year of employment in scale P of the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU);
• 8% holiday bonus and 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment conditions based on the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development , leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities , as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit working at Utrecht University .

Selection process

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

To apply, please send the following documentation via the 'apply' button below:

• your curriculum vitae with detailed academic records and qualifications, including information on your research internship(s)/project(s) and the grade(s) awarded;
• a motivation letter of a maximum 1 page, including your first ideas on the topic and your interest in research on living labs for biodiversity recovery and universities as change agents;
• a sample of your writing, e.g., your master thesis or other written output of which you are the sole author.

Additional comments

For more information about this position, please contact: Dr. Sietze Norder, via [email protected] .

Please note that:

• Applications submitted via email will not be evaluated;
• Emails introducing or advocating about oneself to any of the supervisors will not be replied;
• Only applications submitted via the provided link with be assessed.

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/339849/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Universiteit Utrecht

Country

Netherlands

City

Utrecht

Postal Code

3584CB

Street

Princetonlaan 8a

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/339849/phd-contributing-to-biodiversity-rec…

Contact

City

Utrecht

Website

http://www.uu.nl/

Street

Domplein 29

Postal Code

3512 JE

STATUS: EXPIRED