Job description
The department of Estuarine & Delta Systems (EDS – location Yerseke) of the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (Royal NIOZ) is looking for a highly motivated PhD student to investigate the drivers of sediment stability on tidal flats, and its consequences for ecosystem development and functioning.
THE DEPARTMENT
The department of Estuarine and Delta Systems (EDS, NIOZ-Yerseke) aims at understanding how the interplay between organisms, hydrodynamics, sediment dynamics and chemistry shapes the sub- and intertidal landscape and how it affects the functioning and resilience of the diverse communities living in these landscapes. We take a multidisciplinary approach that combines state-of-art biophysical and biochemical measurements, remote sensing, and manipulative experiments with mathematical and numerical modelling to obtain in-depth process-based understanding. We do Frontier Applied science, meaning that we link fundamental understanding to societal usage. In doing so, we aim to actively support managers with insight needed for ecosystem conservation, ecosystem restoration, and enhancing ecosystem services (e.g., creating nature-based flood defence, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, etc.) all in the face of global change and accelerating sea level rise.
THE PROJECT
Background:
Human interventions have greatly affected the geomorphology and ecological functioning of estuaries on a global scale. In the Netherlands and in Belgium, this is most clearly seen in the Western Scheldt estuary, which has been significantly narrowed by dike construction up till the 1950’s, while deepening of the channels for navigation continued, together resulting in strong amplification of tidal water levels and currents. The resulting decline in extent and quality of tidal ecosystems has imposed active measures to restore these valuable areas. This project aims to gain fundamental understanding of the processes driving ecosystem development of newly restored tidal wetlands, in order to improve future restoration measures. Research will consist of a combination of field observations and manipulative field and lab experiments, to improve model predictions of ecosystem development.
Project organization:
The project will be a collaboration between the NIOZ-Yerseke and the University of Antwerp. Two PhD candidates – one at Royal NIOZ (EDS) and one at UAntwerp – will work together on this project and will share the supervisory team consisting of prof. Tjeerd Bouma (NIOZ, Utrecht Univ.), prof. Stijn Temmerman (UAntwerp) and prof. Johan van de Koppel (NIOZ). The present vacancy is for the PhD position at Royal NIOZ (EDS), the vacancy for PhD position at UAntwerp is available through this link. The NIOZ-Yerseke and University of Antwerp are at commuting distance from each other, with the field sites located in between. Field work must be done together, in order to work safely in the regularly flooded tidal areas. The experimental work will be done in the mesocosm facilities at the NIOZ-Yerseke. The NIOZ-appointed PhD will obtain a PhD degree at Utrecht University (UU), while the Antwerp appointed PhD will obtain a PhD degree at University of Antwerp (UA).
THE POSITION
In this PhD-position you will study how sediment properties on tidal flats develop over time, and how this affects the ecological value of the tidal system. This question is very relevant, as the sediment bed of tidal flats is typically very dynamic, due to processes of sedimentation, sediment compaction and development of sediment stability, which steers the colonization of biota, such as benthos, algae and plants. The biota in their turn affect the sediment stability, leading to intriguing biological-geomorphological feedbacks driving the ecosystem development.
By using field measurements, drone imagery and laboratory studies, you will resolve the following 4 sub-questions:
- Which abiotic factors (inundation time, drainage characteristics, sediment grain size, etc.) drive the rate of sediment compaction on tidal systems?
- How do biota (benthos, algae, etc.) accelerate or reduce the compaction process both by direct and indirect effects?
- What is the importance of sediment compaction for ecosystem functioning and climate resilience?
- How can this information be used to integrate sediment development in models predicting the ecosystem development of tidal flats?
The project explicitly aims to provide the fundamental understanding needed, to move from science to practice, supporting the design of future tidal wetland restoration programs. The research builds on earlier projects, from which a wealth of data are available for further analyses.
As part of a larger integrated multidisciplinary research project, you will collaborate within a team of ecologists, hydrodynamic modelers and geomorphologists / physical geographers. You will have the closest collaboration with the twinning PhD, as you will do the fieldwork together.
Job requirements
THE CANDIDATE
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with an MSc degree in ecology/biology OR physical geography OR engineering OR related disciplines. The candidate should have a keen interest in designing smart experiments, setting up and carrying out challenging experimental field work and be able to analyze complicated data. Good statistical knowledge is a prerequisite, and a good feeling for mathematics is a benefit. Candidates should be capable of planning and organizing their own work independently, to organize and carry out field experiments, and meet deadlines imposed by the project.
Most importantly, the candidate should be open and communicative, and keen on interacting with both end-users and interdisciplinary project partners. The candidate should be inspired by frontier-applied research, where fundamental knowledge is developed, in order to provide a knowledge base for land and water managers. Excellent communication skills and an open collaborative attitude are essential for the success of the project. Good English oral and writing skills are demanded, as the candidate is expected to publish the findings in scientific journals and effectively communicate results to end-users.
We seek to attract candidates from the widest possible pool and strive to build an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. Therefore, we welcome applications of candidates representing the broadest possible range of age, gender, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
THE CONDITIONS
Employment of this position at Royal NIOZ is by NWO-I (The Netherlands Organization of Scientific Research). The PhD position we are offering, will be based at the NIOZ-Yerseke. After a 12-month probationary period and successful evaluation, the position is extended for 36 months for a maximum employment of 4 years. The salary is compliant to the CAO-OI. Furthermore, NIOZ offers a pension scheme, a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, a year-end bonus of 8,3% of the gross annual salary, flexible work arrangements and 42 days of holiday leave (fulltime position). Advanced training opportunities are available. You may expect attractive secondary employment conditions. We offer generous relocation expenses for employees coming from abroad and support with finding accommodation.
Royal NIOZ EDS is located in the village of Yerseke in the province of Zeeland and lies in the middle of the ‘Delta area’ on the southern border of the Eastern Scheldt. Yerseke offers a diverse but moderate level of facilities, including a thriving tourist industry, shops, sports facilities and primary schools. Within commuting distance, you will find cities like Antwerp, Breda, Goes, Middelburg and Vlissingen. Given the large amount of fieldwork included in this position, the candidate is expected to spend around 80% of his/her the time at location.
MORE INFORMATION
Please apply online at www.workingat.nioz.nl
For additional information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. dr. Johan van de Koppel (Research Leader)
For additional information about the procedure, please contact Mariëlle Ott (NIOZ HRM).
Please visit NIOZ and the Department of EDS here.  Closing date for applications: 5th July 2023. Interviews are foreseen for July 2023 and will be conducted at NIOZ Yerseke, otherwise online. We aim to start the position by 1st September 2023.
For further information about this opportunity, click here.