PhD position on contributing to biodiversity recovery using university campuses as living labs

15 Apr 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Utrecht University

Research Field

Geosciences

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

30 Apr 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Brussels)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

HE / MSCA

Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number

101119845

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

No

Offer Description

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 mobilize students, researchers and other stakeholders to participate in such assessments.

A successful PhD research realized within this program 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.

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

Requirements

Research Field

Geosciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• 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.

Specific Requirements

• A Master of Science in Environmental Science, Ecology or Sustainability Science, or related disciplines. A completed Master of Science degree by Summer 2024.
• 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.
• Excellent command of the English language (in both written and oral form).
• Ability to work both independently and in a team, collaborative and 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.
• Good time management skills and ability to balance between the PhD and the research project demands.
• 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.

Languages

ENGLISH

Additional Information
Eligibility criteria

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. 

Website for additional job details

http://www.sunsetproject.eu

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Utrecht University

Country

Netherlands

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

http://www.sunsetproject.eu

Contact

City

Utrecht

Website

https://www.uu.nl/en

STATUS: EXPIRED