PhD position: Integrating trait diversity into ecosystem models

19 Aug 2026
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW)

Research Field

Environmental science » Ecology
Environmental science » Global change

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Application Deadline

20 Sep 2026 - 21:59 (UTC)

Country

Netherlands

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

38.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

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

No

Offer Description

What you will be doing
We are recruiting a talented, enthusiastic, and collaborative PhD candidate to investigate how phytoplankton trait diversity affects ecosystem processes. Specifically, the PhD candidate will integrate diversity of phytoplankton resource acquisition traits into the mechanistic ecosystem model PCLake and assess consequences for ecosystem structure and functioning.
General project description
This PhD position is part of the SNF-Lead Agency funded BILMo (Biodiversity Inspired Lake Modelling) project, which aims to upgrade different mechanistic lake models to 1) predict diversity and community composition responses to combined gradients of warming and changes in resource availability (light, nitrogen and phosphorus), and 2) improve predictions of ecosystem processes by including the impacts of phytoplankton diversity and composition.
The project focuses on five interlinked objectives related to the above-mentioned aims. The research spans field observations, laboratory experiments and mechanistic models. The project team consists of two PhD candidates and three Postdoc positions hired on the BILMo project and involved researchers including Dr. Anita Narwani (EAWAG; coordinator), Dr. Keisuke Inomura (University of Rhode Island), Prof. Damien Bouffard (EAWAG), Prof. Dedmer van de Waal (NIOO-KNAW) and Dr. Mandy Velthuis (Wageningen University).

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/jobs/363355/phd-position-integrating-trait-…

Requirements
Specific Requirements

What you will be contributing
As a PhD candidate you will contribute to improving our understanding of the interplay between phytoplankton traits and lake ecosystem functioning. Specifically, you will determine to what extent (phyto)plankton inter- and intraspecific trait diversity affects the biomass, productivity and functional diversity of plankton communities in lake ecosystems, and what the implications of environmental change are on those processes. You will run sensitivity analysis in PCLake+, using both traditional and emergent community modelling approaches, carry out meta-analyses to determine resource acquisition trait parameter space, and perform scenario analyses tailored to a set of Swiss lakes.
There will be close collaboration with the other PhD candidate and Postdocs of the projects on parameterization and validation of the model. You are expected to actively exchange ideas and results within the larger BILMo team, join the project’s annual meetings, supervise MSc students who wish to do an internship on modelling phytoplankton trait diversity, and contribute to some of the project’s outreach activities.
Your work will be performed both at the NIOO-KNAW and at Wageningen University under the guidance of your daily supervisors Dedmer van de Waal and Mandy Velthuis. You will develop a PhD thesis plan, prepare and perform the research, analyze the data, present your results at meetings and scientific conferences, and publish your results in international scientific journals. You aim to complete your PhD thesis within the official appointment duration of four years.
Further training and courses during the PhD trajectory will be offered by NIOO-KNAW, WUR, and via the Graduate School for Production Ecology & Resource Conservation (PE&RC).
Job requirements
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated candidate, with a keen interest in plankton trait-based ecology and ecosystem modelling. You enjoy process-based ecosystem modelling, are well-organized, have a collaborative personality but are also able to work independently. You are furthermore in possession of:

• An MSc degree in environmental sciences, computational ecology, quantitative biology, or closely related discipline
• Affinity and preferably experience with ecosystem modelling, ecological forecasting, phytoplankton ecophysiology and/or trait-based ecology. Please note that we do not expect that candidates master all techniques from the start but consider previous experience with one or more of the listed techniques as an advantage.
• You are comfortable working with large datasets, modelling pipelines and are eager to develop advanced skills with programming software such as R, Python or Matlab.

Professional working proficiency in English, including scientific writing.

Additional Information
Benefits

Terms of employment
Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is € 3.204,- and the maximum salary is € 4.051,- gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale P cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP.
The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment).

Selection process

For more information
If you wish further information about the project, please contact Dedmer van de Waal ([email protected] ) or Mandy Velthuis ([email protected] ).
Application procedure
Applications must be submitted in English electronically through Academic Transfer. In your application, please include a cover letter indicating your motivation and relevant experience, a CV, and 1-3 professional referees (name, address, telephone number and email address).

Additional comments

Diversity & Inclusion
The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.
We will not respond to any supplier enquiries based on this job advertisement.

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/363355/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

NIOO-KNAW

Country

Netherlands

City

Wageningen

Postal Code

6708PB

Street

Droevendaalsesteeg 10

Contact

City

Amsterdam

Website

http://www.knaw.nl/

Street

Kloveniersburgwal 29

Postal Code

1011 JV

STATUS: EXPIRED

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