The department of Coastal Systems (COS) at the Royal Netherlands Institute of Sea Research (NIOZ-Texel) is looking for a highly motivated postdoc candidate with a background in stable isotope analyses in coastal intertidal ecosystems. This position is part of the European project “REWRITE” which aims to better understand the effects of restoration measures on coastal intertidal sediment ecosystems by comparing food web dynamics at various locations within Europe.
THE INSTITUTE
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 seagoing equipment, and supports excellence in multidisciplinary marine research, education, and policy development.
THE DEPARTMENT
The department of COS is one of the research departments of NIOZ. The COS department integrates state-of-the art laboratory, field, and modelling studies in the dynamics of marine species and food webs. COS examines how physical, chemical, and biological processes interact to determine the distribution, composition, and productivity of marine species across the food web, in marine habitats from the coast to pelagic environments.
THE PROJECT
Within European coastal zones, intertidal areas consisting of soft sediment and emerging during each low tide, form seascapes that are covering more than 10.000 km2 along the 35.000 km of the tidal coastline. These habitats provide multiple ecosystem services with a great potential to cope with the biodiversity-climate crisis and thus to contribute to a number of UN and EU priorities regarding carbon neutrality, climate resilience and biodiversity support. Within a network of ten study sites and 25 partners from the academic and private sector, the European project REWRITE has brought together an interdisciplinary consortium constituted by internationally recognized experts in natural and coastal environment and in social sciences and humanities. Together, they explore how to rewild the European shores and ensuring their climate resilience, biodiversity support and societal benefits.
THE POSITION
The main aim within this postdoc project is to understand impacts of rewilding on food web dynamics in coastal zones. This research is performed by collecting samples for stable isotope analysis of selected sources and consumers in various sampling stations, ranging from pristine via impacted to rewilded, within three study areas (Cadiz, Aviero and the Scheldt). The sampling will be done in the summer of 2025 and 2026, and the SI samples will be analysed via de Marine Microbiology Department of NIOZ-Texel. Sampling campaigns are logistically supported by the local partners of REWRITE, and take place together with other members of the consortium. The subsequent information will be used to examine if and, if so, how trophic transfer is related to the various states of the intertidal ecosystems.
THE CANDIDATE
Applicants must have a PhD in coastal ecology, and have also scientific knowledge on conservation ecology. We further request a background in coastal food web dynamics and experience with stable isotope technology in coastal ecosystems. Because the successful candidate will execute fieldwork at different locations, a driving licence is a boundary condition as is proven experience in successfully and independently preparing and leading field campaigns in coastal areas. The candidate will be a member of the consortium, so good collaborative skills are required as well. Because the fieldwork will be executed from early June to September 2025, the candidate should be available from May 1st onwards for preparing the campaigns.
NIOZ wants 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 position for 20 hours a week at Royal NIOZ NWO-I for a duration of 2 years (with a fulltime availability during the sampling campaigns).
Salary compliant with CAO-WVOI (Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Research Institutes) scale 10 or 11, depending on relevant experience.
The freedom to fulfil 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.
For additional information about the project, please contact Prof. Dr. Ir. C.J.M. (Katja) Philippart, and for specific information on sampling and analyses of stable isotope, please contact Dr. M.T.J. (Marcel) van der Meer. For additional information about the procedure, please send an e-mail to [email protected].
Closing date for this vacancy is the 27th of April 2025. We aim to invite suitable candidates for an interview on the 30th of April, 2025.
