Postdoc position: “Applied Marine Benthic Ecology”

The Department of Estuarine and Delta Science (EDS) of NIOZ is looking for a curiosity driven postdoctoral researcher with strong interest in marine benthic ecology, and to be involved in sea-going sampling with the NIOZ triple D dredge to deliver applied scientific work.

ROYAL NIOZ

NWO-NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research is the Dutch national oceanographic institute and principally performs academically excellent multidisciplinary, fundamental, and frontier applied marine research, addressing important scientific and societal questions pertinent to the functioning of the ocean and seas. NIOZ includes the National Marine research Facilities (NMF) department, that operates a fleet of research vessels and the national pool of large sea-going equipment, and supports excellence in multidisciplinary marine research, education, and policy development.

THE POSITION

Over the last decades, NIOZ has developed a fully quantitative dredge to sample larger macrofauna and bottom fish, which typically occur in densities too low to sample with more traditional grabs. The dredge is frequently being used as part of the assessments of marine benthic habitats in the Dutch Economic Zone, and to provide the data to address important ecological questions, including those related to fishing and human disturbance. These research programs are performed in close cooperation with Rijkswaterstaat.

Within this project, the researcher will work in close cooperation with technical support staff from National Marine Facilities (NMF) at NIOZ, as part of an on-going program of sampling at sea. The successful candidate will be responsible for cruise preparation and participate on regular planned cruises, and you will acquire full working technical insights into the triple D dredge, as needed for its effective operation. On board you will work in close cooperation with the ship's crew and other scientific parties, and together with a NIOZ-NMF technician, be responsible for dredge operations and the quality assurance of the samples. Where possible, the candidate should propose future development of the equipment, and when needed advise Rijkswaterstaat on sampling schemes. Post-cruise you will be responsible for reporting on the gear performance and sampling details. In conjunction with other NIOZ scientists, you will use  the Triple D dredge in research programs and perform rigorous analyses on newly collected and historic data sets, and in publishing scientific outputs (reports to funders and journal articles).

THE PROJECT

Over the last 30 years NIOZ has developed a quantitative dredge (Triple-D) which is a valuable addition to the more traditional grab samplers, because low density large seafloor animals can be sampled quantitatively. Recently, NIOZ signed a co-operative multi year contract with RWS to make the Triple D dredge available for sampling sparsely distributed bottom fauna in and around the assigned marine protected areas, as well as sampling in relation to the developments in relation to windfarms, sandmining and other future applications. The purpose is to generate data on the effects of human impacts, including biological processes and their change, and hence to aid in policy measures taken to protect seafloor fauna and habitats.

In addition to these applied projects, the candidate is encouraged to develop their own lines of research based in part on sampling and data from the Triple D.

THE CANDIDATE

• A University degree in marine ecology or biology or similar.

• A PhD in a marine ecology or marine biology related topic.

• Experience of, and willing to join, regular sea-going cruises and experience of, or willingness to be trained in, the deployment of technical equipment.

• Preferably you will have knowledge on North Sea macrofauna and bottom fish and these habitats.

• You will have a strong interest in technological and equipment development.

• Have well developed statistical skills, and be an experienced user of R programming language, or similar.

• Have strong writing, presentation and communication skills.

• Be an excellent team player on-board and in the laboratory, and through scientific collaboration.

The successful candidate will be located at the NIOZ Texel, and have a close working relationship with scientists and technical staff within the Department of Coastal Systems (COS) and the National Marine Facilities (NMF). However, the candidate will be employed as part of the Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems (EDS) which is based in Yerseke, and hence good communication, collaboration with, and regular visits to EDS Yerseke is also expected.

We want to be 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 duration of 1 years, with the option to extend the contract to a maximum of 4 years.

• Salary compliant with CAO-WVOI  (Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Research Institutes) scale 10 or 11 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 and support with finding accommodation.

MORE INFORMATION
For additional information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. R. Witbaard. For additional information about the procedure, please send an e-mail to working@nioz.nl 

Closing date for this vacancy is 17 October 2025