Junior postdoc position (24 months): ‘Circular and nature based (integrated) seaweed and mussel culture’

The department of Estuarine and Delta Systems (EDS; principal investigator Prof. Dr. Klaas Timmermans) at the Royal Netherlands Institute of Sea Research (NIOZ) is looking for a highly motivated post-doc with a background in experimental (marine) biology / ecology  to investigate innovations for circular and nature based (integrated) seaweed and mussel culture.

THE DEPARTMENT
The department of Estuarine and Delta Systems (EDS, NIOZ-Yerseke) studies how the interplay between organisms, hydrodynamics, sediment dynamics and biochemistry shapes the estuarine and delta environment in the context of natural and human-induced environmental changes. An important focus of our research is how these abiotic-biotic interactions create value for society, following for examples of the “Building with Nature” paradigm or investigating sustainable sources of marine biomass for food. 

THE PROJECT

As part of the NWO-funded project CircAqua, the research will focus on experimental set-ups and on-site measurements to determine culture performance, interactions, and nutrient (re)cycling in (integrated) seaweed and mussel cultivation farms in the North Sea. The interactions between seaweed and shellfish cultures will be studied using innovative techniques (e.g. biomarkers, hydrodynamic flumes, Fast Rate Repetition Fluorometry, stable isotope tracers).  Moreover, experimental work can be done with laboratory and mesocosm  studies. As such it will contribute to fundamental knowledge on circular and nature based marine low trophic aquaculture (LTA) production at organism level and validate this knowledge at the farm level. In doing so, the research will enable design innovation and perform pilot tests on circular blue food farms for the future and inform the project partners that are focused on model development. Hence, the post-doc will work in the interdisciplinary research project CircAqua together with ecologists, sociologists, ecosystem and food system modellers, experts on governance, companies and other stakeholders. The full text of the granted research project CircAqua is available on request.

THE CANDIDATE

Are you a highly motivated researcher with a PhD in experimental (marine) biology / ecology? Do you have a keen interest in frontier-based research in an interdisciplinary scientific environment? Do you have experience with experimental work both in the laboratory and at field sites? In this project you will learn and apply state-of-the-art analytical techniques and research concepts to cross scientific boundaries. You will work in an interdisciplinary research environment; a very good command of spoken and written English is essential, because of interaction with regional stakeholders, good command of Dutch is a pre. We highly encourage applicants from all members of our community and of diverse background to join us. 

NIOZ is a transparent institute with a healthy working climate and an inclusive culture, where people from diverse backgrounds and gender bring their talents and further develop these talents. We aim for inclusive decision-making processes and expect our leadership to show visible commitment, awareness of bias, and cultural intelligence.

THE CONDITIONS

• Employment of this full-time position at Royal NIOZ is by NWO-I, for a total duration of 24 months.

• Salary compliant with CAO-WVOI (Collective Labour Agreement  for Dutch Research Institutes) scale 10 depending on relevant experience.

• The freedom to fulfill your role and space and opportunities for your personal (talent) development with the help of the NIOZ Academy. 

• 338 annualized holiday hours for a full-time 40-hour work week.

• Pension scheme via ABP, 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.33%.  

• 2nd class public transportation travel is reimbursed 100%. 

• Employment benefits plan to exchange a portion of your salary for days off or vice versa, or can be used to purchase a bicycle with tax benefits. 

• We offer relocation expenses for employees coming from abroad.
  

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Dr. Klaas Timmermans. For additional information about the procedure, please send an email to working@nioz.nl. Click here for more information about the EDS department.

Closing date for this vacancy is 6 April.

Job interviews will take place 17Th April 2025 in NIOZ-Yerseke.