PhD position: Modelling natural flood-resistant landscapes in the Zeeuwse Delta”

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 to join the Delta Climate Center's Icon Project "Flexible Deltas”. This multidisciplinary project will work towards historical and future perspectives on the societal value of flood resilient landscapes in the Southwestern Delta.

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 society 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, Utrecht University, Wageningen University & Research and NIOZ. 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.

ORGANIZATION OF PROJECT FLEXIBLE DELTAS

The advertised PhD student position at NIOZ in Yerseke and the DCC in Vlissingen is part of the transdisciplinary consortium of Flexible Deltas. The main objective of Flexible Deltas is to utilize an inter- and transdisciplinary approach to develop (practice-oriented) knowledge for the design and implementation of natural-based solutions with the goal to create food-resilient landscapes in the Southwest Delta of the Netherlands. For this, it aims to combine a historical and future perspective on flood resilient landscapes - how did they function in the past, and how can they do so in the future. An important aim for the project is to model the development of flood resistant landscapes that are both functional and supported by society.

THE POSITION

The PhD position at NIOZ aims to develop spatially-explicit, reduced-complexity models of the geomorphological and ecological development of key habitats within target flood-resilient landscapes. The modelling will be based on databases of both the historical and current-day development of flood-resistant landscapes using historical and geological databases complemented by a remote sensing analysis. The models will be applied to predict changes in the appearance and functionality of flood-resilient landscapes under various scenarios provided by stakeholders and policymakers. To facilitate this, we will generate 3D computer-graphic visualizations of vegetation dynamics and landscape topography. The PhD candidate will collaborate with members of the Flexible Deltas consortium, as well as stakeholders from companies, governmental agencies, and NGOs. The appointed candidate will obtain a PhD degree from the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Groningen.

THE CANDIDATE

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with an MSc degree in the field of ecology, physical geography or ecosystem-oriented civil engineering, with a keen interested in studying the functioning of natural ecosystems. A good understanding of numerical modelling (differential equations to describe plant growth, water flow, etc) is essential, and experience or interest in 3D visualization is beneficial. In this project, you will apply state-of-the-art modelling techniques and develop 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.

Candidates should be capable of planning and organising their own work independently, to build models, organize and carry out field experiments, and involve in interactions with the stakeholders of the project. Good English oral and writing skills are demanded, as the candidate must publish the findings in scientific journals and effectively communicate results to user.

The PhD student is required to spend part of his time at the Delta Climate Center in Vlissingen, and part of his time at the NIOZ in Yerseke.

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.

More information

For additional information about the vacancy, please contact Prof. Dr. Johan van de Koppel or Dr. Jim van Belzen. Dor additional information about the procedure, please send an e-mail to working@nioz.nl

Closing date for this vacancy is 31 April. Interviews are scheduled on 13 May.