PhD position artificial reefs and the functioning of benthic communities in the North Sea

Updated: almost 2 years ago
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

We are looking for

Are you a marine ecologist with a strong interest in benthic ecological functioning and the North Sea? Do you want to investigate the food webs around offshore artificial reefs such as oil platforms and wind farms? Are you excited about sea going field work in challenging environments as well as experimental ecology? Then we might have an interesting position for you in Den Helder, The Netherlands.

  • In the ‘Artificial Structures and the functioning of the North Sea Ecosystem’ project (ASSESS) you will study the functioning of benthic communities around artificial reefs such as dikes and dams for coastal protection, oil & gas platforms and offshore renewable energy installations in the North Sea. These reefs form a new type of habitat, as the naturally occurring soft sediments are replaced by hard substrates such as steel, concrete and stones.
  • The project is carried out by a consortium of Wageningen Marine Research, Wageningen University, the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) and Heerema Marine contractors. The aim of the project is to quantify changes caused by the introduction of artificial hard substrates, by assessing the food web and ecological functioning of existing artificial structures and their effect on surrounding soft sediment. This will be done by generating new data from field research and experiments (this PhD position) and developing novel ecosystem models (a second PhD on modelling).
  • Together with the project team you will conduct lab-based and inshore as well as offshore experiments, perform in situ measurements on the functioning of fouling communities and study the food web around 30-40 year old offshore oil and gas platforms.
  • Offshore surveys will be carried using novel techniques such as diver placed in situ respiration chambers, commercial scientific dive teams (https://youtu.be/gtBPbo2Teq0 ) and industry type remotely operated vehicles. Experiments are carried out at our offices and laboratory location in Den Helder and a Wadden Sea test site on the island of Texel. Part of the lab analysis are carried out at the NIOZ location on Texel.
  • The candidate is expected to finish the 4 year project by writing a PhD thesis that contains a series of scientific papers.

We ask
  • As the ideal candidate you:
  • Have a successfully completed MSc degree in (marine) ecology, or a related field.
  • Show strong skills in integrating empirical work (e.g. surveys at sea) with elaborated statistical analyses and conceptual thinking (e.g. concept development, stable isotope mixing models).
  • Are experienced in sea-going research and lab- or field-based experiments. You will spend several weeks per year at sea working with scientists as well as non-scientific offshore industry teams. To successfully do this, are an open communicator keen on working with people from different disciplines.
  • Have experience working with dive teams (as a non-diver) or are a (North Sea) diver yourself. Diving certifications, e.g. dive master level or commercial scuba, e.g. Dutch cat. A3 or British HSE scuba are not mandatory but preferred.
  • Have excellent English language knowledge (a minimum of CEFR C2 level). For more information about this proficiency level, please visit our special language page
  • Meet all the entry requirements of the WUR PhD programme .

We offer

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment . A few highlights from our  Collective Labour Agreement include: 

  • sabbatical leave, study leave, and paid parental leave;
  • working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
  • the option to accrue additional holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
  • there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
  • a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
  • excellent ABP pension regulations.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.

The gross salary for the first year is € 2.443,- per month rising to € 3.122,- in the fourth year in according to the

Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU)

(scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “ Best University ” in the Netherlands for the 17th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief , known as the 30% ruling. Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. For more information please go to our inclusivity page . A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment .


More information

For more information about this position, please contact Joop Coolen, senior scientist benthic ecology, telephone +31(0)613005630 or by e-mail [email protected] .
For more information about the procedure, please contact Ine van 't Land, e-mail: ine.van'[email protected]

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including 20 June 2022. We hope to schedule the first job interviews in the last week of June.


We are

The mission of Wageningen University and Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.

With its roughly 30 branches, 7.200 employees and 13.200 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen’s unique approach. WUR has been named the best university of the Netherlands by students for the 17th time in a row.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.



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