PhD position Modelling the relative role of benthic and pelagic grazers in the North Sea ecosystem

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

We are looking for

Are you a theoretical ecologist, environmental engineer or applied mathematician with a strong interest in the functioning of marine ecosystems? Do you want to investigate how food webs are affected by the establishment of offshore artificial reefs such as oil platforms and wind farms? Are you interested in mathematical modelling of ecological communities?  Then we might have an interesting position for you in Yerseke, The Netherlands.

  • In the ‘Artificial Structures and the functioning of the North Sea Ecosystem’ project (ASSESS) you will theoretically study the role 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 old artificial structures and their effect on surrounding soft sediment. This will be done by generating new data from field research and experiments (a second PhD position) and developing novel ecosystem models based on Dynamic Energy Budget theory (this PhD on modelling).
  • In addition to the field studies and experiments performed by the other PhD, an innovative modelling approach will integrate the empirical findings. Both dynamic modelling and static mass-balance models of the entire food web will be developed. The modelling exercise should provide first answers on how hard-substrate structures might affect the mass balance of the entire food web and its carrying capacity, including the hard substrate, soft sediment and pelagic environments.
  • The modelling activities address the development of a conceptual community model for a shallow coastal sea, based on the Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) theory with the aim to explore the competition between pelagic and benthic grazers.
  • 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 (theoretical) ecology, environmental engineering, applied mathematics or a related field.
  • Show strong skills in integrating the results of empirical work (e.g. surveys at sea) with elaborated mathematical modelling and theoretical thinking.
  • Are experienced in mathematical modelling of complex dynamic systems, for example size-structured populations, ecological communities or ecosystems.
  • Preferably have knowledge of Dynamic Energy Budget theory.
  • Have excellent English language proficiency (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 pension scheme.

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.

Location: Yerseke, The Netherlands

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 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 Jaap van der Meer, senior scientist and special professor Sustainable Marine Food Production, telephone +31(0)317488105 or by e-mail [email protected] .
For more information about the procedure, please contact Ine van 't Land, e-mail [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

Wageningen University & Research
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 Best Employer in the Education category for 2019-2020.

These are the points our employees list as good reasons to come work at WUR: read the 5 reasons to come work at WUR

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



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