PhD position Restoration of grassland ecosystems (0.8 - 1.0 FTE)

At the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development  at Utrecht University, we are looking for a PhD candidate to study the effectiveness of restoration of grassland ecosystems in agricultural landscapes. For more information about the institute you can visit a short impression of the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development  on the social media channel of the Faculty of GeoSciences.

The EU Biodiversity Strategy calls for binding targets to restore degraded ecosystems to recover biodiversity, ecosystem resilience and nature’s contributions to people. However, many landscapes have been heavily modified and are currently under pressure from anthropogenic stresses such as nitrogen deposition, habitat fragmentation and disruption of hydrological connections. Restoring ecosystems in such landscapes is not straightforward. Land-owning organizations, including NGO’s such as Natuurmonumenten and Staatsbosbeheer, have been restoring ecosystems in the past decades. Herbaceous ecosystems such as grasslands and heathlands are often expected to recover naturally following restoration of local abiotic conditions. Alternatively, flora or (soil) fauna are transferred. The extent to which these practices are successful on the long term in restoring biodiversity in increasingly modified, agricultural landscapes remains unclear.

We gladly receive applications from candidates who:

• have an MSc degree in a relevant field in environmental sciences or ecology;
• have experience in ecological field work and data analysis;
• have good mechanistic understanding of the interaction between major land use-driven environmental changes and biodiversity;
• have good plant identification skills and knowledge of the European flora, or are willing to invest in this;
• are deeply motivated to contribute with scientific knowledge to effective nature conservation and restoration measures;
• have an interest in academic teaching;
• can demonstrate English language proficiency at C1 level (CEFR or comparable to level 3 of the Lecturer Assessment Grid) or are prepared to obtain this level by training;
• are proficient in Dutch or are prepared to acquire Dutch language skills.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University , the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability. For an impression of the university, please visit Utrecht University Campus Tour .
Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth's core to its surface, including its’ ecosystems and man's utilisation of the Earth - always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the Faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development. The faculty is located at Utrecht Science Park near the historical city centre of Utrecht. 
As a PhD you will be based at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development: an interdisciplinary research institute hosting 270 researchers and more than 100 PhD students that collectively investigate and develop processes and opportunities for innovative change towards sustainability. The core mission of the Copernicus Institute is to have a positive impact on the transition to a sustainable society. This includes increasing the quality of the living environment and recovering biodiversity.

The city of Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, with a historic centre and an internationally oriented culture that is strongly influenced by its centuries-old university. Utrecht has been consistently ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the Netherlands, and is well-connected to local and international transport hubs.

For more information about this position please contact Prof. Merel Soons at m.b.soons@uu.nl .

You are also invited to join our online information session via Microsoft Teams on:

• Friday 21 April between 13.00 - 14.00 CEST.
  Please send an email to Sophie Ketting via s.j.ketting@uu.nl  if you want to participate in the meeting. The Teams link will then be sent to you.

You can ask us about our profiles and tasks of the offered position, the possibilities of professional development, and living in Utrecht (housing, visa, schools, partner opportunities). We look forward to meeting you!

Everyone deserves to feel at home  at our university. We welcome employees with a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives. 

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation via the ‘apply’ button.