PhD position: “Oyster reef restoration to mitigate nitrogen pollution

The department of Estuarine and Delta Systems at the Royal Netherlands Institute of Sea Research (NIOZ) in Yerseke is looking for a highly motivated PhD student with a background in experimental (marine) biology/ecology/biogeochemistry and strong skills in molecular / microbial ecology and bioinformatics to investigate nitrogen cycling, in particular nitrogen removal, on oyster reefs. The position advertised is part of the Delta Climate Center‘s Icon Project “Propelling a Circular Economy in Zeeland” (ProceZ) and is in cooperation with the company Oyster Heaven.

THE DEPARTMENT
The department of Estuarine and Delta Systems (EDS, NIOZ-Yerseke) aims to understand how the interplay between organisms, hydrodynamics, sediment dynamics and chemistry 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 example the “Building with Nature” paradigm or investigating sustainable sources of marine biomass for food. We do frontier applied science, meaning that we link fundamental understanding to societal usage. In doing so, we aim to actively support managers with the insights needed for ecosystem conservation, ecosystem restoration, and enhancing ecosystem services (e.g., creating nature-based flood defence, alternative sources of food, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, etc.) all in the face of global change and accelerating sea level rise.

THE DELTA CLIMATE CENTER

The Delta Climate Center (DCC) in Vlissingen is a new and innovative knowledge center in the field of climate adaptation. It unites science and practice through a unique partnership between the knowledge institutions Scalda, HZ University of Applied Sciences, University College Roosevelt, NIOZ, Utrecht University, and Wageningen University & Research. The core question of the DCC is: how to advance the transition towards sustainable, climate-resilient, and prosperous deltas? With the Zeeland delta as its living lab, the DCC fosters innovative and impactful solutions for future-proof deltas worldwide. The ProceZ project is a transdisciplinary Icon Project of the DCC and involves all its partners and several regional stakeholders.

ORGANIZATION OF PROJECT ProceZ

The advertised PhD student position at NIOZ in Yerseke and the DCC in Vlissingen is part of the transdisciplinary consortium of ProceZ. ProceZ aims to circularly valorize side streams from primary production in Zeeland towards bio-based products in the context of climate-proof soil, water and nutrient management and transitions in energy and landscape. This will be done by analyzing the nutrient, water and material flows to determine how resource losses can be prevented and how resources can be made better use of for the benefit of society. Besides, the legal framework for waste management and repurposing required for a smooth path regarding circularity and products will be further evaluated. Covering legal, social, technical, ecological and implementation aspects, Procez will identify the conditions needed to create a circular production system, as well as the challenges that need to be overcome and the opportunities that will arise. The PhD candidate will collaborate with members of the ProceZ consortium, as well as stakeholders from companies, governmental agencies, and NGOs.

THE POSITION

Within the ProceZ project, novel insights are needed to improve the valorization of side streams from primary production. However, not all nutrients may be recovered from those side streams and are discharged. Together with the run-off of fertilizers applied in agriculture, this may lead to nutrient pollution in the marine environment. A Nature-based Solution to reduce nutrient pollution and valorize these waste streams may be found in the biogeochemical cycling processes occurring on oyster reefs. In close collaboration with the native oyster reef restoration company Oyster Heaven, the PhD candidate will use field and mesocosm-based experiments in combination with stable isotope tracer techniques, and molecular and microbial ecological approaches (incl. bioinformatics) to investigate nitrogen cycling on (recently restored) native flat oyster reefs. The aim of the PhD project is to understand how effective restored oyster reefs are at nitrogen removal at the various stages of their development. The appointed candidate will obtain a PhD degree from the Faculty of Geosciences at Utrecht University.

THE CANDIDATE

Applicants should have a MSc degree in marine ecology, molecular / microbial ecology or related disciplines. Experience with bioinformatics will be essential. The candidate enjoys conducting experiments both in mesocosms as in the field, performing biochemical and molecular labwork, and using bioinformatics and data science approaches to analyse large multivariate datasets (metabarcoding, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics).

In this project, you will learn and apply state-of-the-art analytical techniques and research concepts to cross scientific boundaries. Excellent communication skills and an open collaborative attitude are essential for the success of the project. You will work in a transdisciplinary research environment; a very good command of spoken and written English is essential. Because of interactions with regional stakeholders, a good command of Dutch will be a plus; Dutch language courses will be offered to the appointed candidate through the NIOZ Academy - for personal and professional development.

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.

CONDITIONS

• Employment of this full-time position at Royal NIOZ is by NWO-I, for a total duration of 4 years.  You start with an appointment for the duration of 1 year, that, after a positive evaluation in the 9th month, will be extended to the full period of 4 years.

• Salary compliant with scales for PhD candidate (OIOs) CAO-WVOI (Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Research Institutes). 

• An appointment at NIOZ as a PhD candidate means working and learning simultaneously conform the NIOZ PhD policy.  

• 338 hours of paid leave annually, 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 and support with finding accommodation.

For additional information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Jeroen van de Water or Dr. Dick van Oevelen. For additional information about the procedure, please send an e-mail to working@nioz.nl  

This vacancy will be listed up to and including 31 January 2025. Interviews will take place at NIOZ in Yerseke in the second half of February 2025