Tenure-track or Senior Scientist position at the NIOZ Department of Coastal Systems

The Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) is looking for a highly motivated marine scientist to join the team of Principle Investigators (PIs) in its Department of Coastal Systems. The position will be filled at either the Tenure-track or Senior Scientist level. The PI should contribute world-leading research that advances ecological process knowledge on the dynamics of marine species, communities and/or ecosystems. Although there is no specified research area or field for this position, the successful candidate will clearly demonstrate how their previous and planned research complements existing research lines and infrastructure at COS and NIOZ.

THE INSTITUTE

NIOZ is the national oceanographic research institute of the Netherlands. The mission of NIOZ is to perform academically excellent multidisciplinary fundamental and frontier-applied marine research addressing important scientific and societal questions pertinent to the functioning of oceans and seas. NIOZ also serves as national marine research facilitator (NMF) for The Netherlands scientific community, and stimulates and supports national and international marine research, marine education programs, and marine policy development.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of COS integrates state-of-the art laboratory, field and modelling studies in frontier explorations of the drivers of the dynamics of marine habitats and food webs. COS examines how physical, chemical and biological processes interact to determine the distribution, composition and productivity of marine species - from primary producers to top predators – and food webs in marine habitats from the coast to inter/sub-tidal and pelagic environments. Research is conducted at both the regional and global scale.

 THE VACANCY

The vacancy is open regarding research topics and there is flexibility for the selected candidate to shape their own research line in consideration of the NIOZ strategic plan. Examples of core areas and research techniques include:

• conducting laboratory experiments on marine plants and/or animals to gain a cause-and-effect understanding of how abiotic and biotic factors interact to impact the performance and vital rates (growth, reproduction, survival) of marine species;

• performing in situ experiments and/or research cruises to understand the processes that shape the response of marine species, communities and/or ecosystems to environmental change;

• developing numerical models that incorporate ecological process knowledge to understand and make projections of the dynamics of marine species, communities and/or ecosystems in response to environmental and/or anthropogenic drivers.

The successful candidate can and should take advantage of existing, long-term ecological time series and the cross-departmental research facilities available at NIOZ. This infrastructure includes its research aquarium and laboratories (e.g. from molecular and biochemical analyses to advanced microscopy and benthic taxonomy) and the NIOZ oceanographic research fleet. Using these resources, research can be conducted on species or communities within or across a variety of habitats from estuaries, shallow coastal zones to shelf sea and other offshore regions. The research should contribute to the mission of NIOZ to provide science that helps better understand and addresses the linked biodiversity and climate crises.

THE CANDIDATE

You have a PhD plus relevant post-doctoral or other professional research experience in ecology, marine science or a closely related discipline and a strong track record of process investigation on marine flora and/or fauna. You have an affinity for addressing marine ecological questions using a collaborative, cross-disciplinary, state-of-the-art approach. You are ready to build an effective research team at NIOZ including the mentoring of early career scientists. You have demonstrated success in building national and international research collaborations and you have a strong track record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals. You are dedicated to contributing to the diverse, safe and healthy professional culture at NIOZ.

In their cover letter, applicants should specify whether they wish to be considered for a Tenure-track position or a Senior Scientist position. Over the course of the tenure-track period, the PI is expected to take concrete steps toward building a world-class research group. Previous experience with applying for research funding is desired. For the Senior Scientist level, the candidate must demonstrate strong group leadership, internationalization, and previous success in obtaining research projects of various sizes.

In the cover letter please provide an outline of the main research topics and methods. It is important to explain how the planned research and other activities: 1) fit with ongoing science conducted at COS / NIOZ, 2) utilizes existing infrastructure at NIOZ, and 3) helps to build a productive and collaborative research group.

We are 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 fulltime position at Royal NIOZ is by NWO (The Netherlands Organization of Scientific Research) for 40 hours a week.

• The salary is compliant to the CAO-OI (Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Research Institutes). A tenure track candidate (scale 11/12) will be tenured based on a successful tenure review. The timing of the tenure review is flexible (from 1.5 years but before 4 years). At the Senior Scientist level (Scale 13), the position will be converted to a permanent position based on mutual agreement after a duration of 2 years. [AL1] 

• The NIOZ Academy supports your freedom to fulfil your role and space within the organization, including opportunities for your personal (talent) development.

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

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

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

• You have an 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.

Royal NIOZ COS is located on the beautiful island of Texel. Texel offers sun, wind, and beach, and a diverse but moderate level of facilities, including a thriving tourist industry, shops, sports facilities, primary schools and a high school. It is connected to the mainland by an hourly to half-hourly ferry service, with crossings taking 20 minutes. The Royal NIOZ is situated next to the ferry terminal.

 MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about this vacancy, please contact the Head of the Department of Coastal Systems, Prof. Myron A. Peck. For additional information about the procedure, please contact working@nioz.nl. Please visit the Department of Coastal Systems here.

Closing date for applications: September 14th, 2025. We aim to fill this position within six months after the closing date for applications. In-person interviews will be conducted at Royal NIOZ-COS on Texel. Online interviews are also possible.