‘Think Sea - think NIOZ’
NIOZ, the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research is the Dutch national marine science institute and
amongst the most renowned internationally. Approximately 330 scientists, lab assistants, technicians,
ship’s crew and auxiliary staff collaborate in world-leading marine research. NIOZ acquires and
disseminates scientific knowledge on the world’s oceans and seas. Our multidisciplinary research is
carried out in 6 scientific departments, which are divided over two facilities: NIOZ Yerseke in the south
and NIOZ Texel in the north of the Netherlands. This position will be located in Yerseke, at commuting
distance of cities like Antwerpen, Breda and Middelburg.
Building with Nature NWO programme
Building with Nature is a NWO research programme that aims to provide and strengthen
multidisciplinary scientific knowledge for innovative infrastructure projects which make use of natural
structures and processes. NIOZ studies ecological-physical interactions in two projects within this
programme, BE SAFE – Bio-Engineering for Safety using vegetated foreshores and EMERGO – Ecomorphological functioning and management of tidal flats. For both projects NIOZ offers a PhD position,
that will be part of larger multidisciplinary teams.
Phd position: Project “BE SAFE”
Over the last decade, there has been a growing awareness that ecosystems can play a major role in
coastal protection. Especially wetland vegetation like e.g. saltmarshes and mangroves can play an
important role by attenuating waves and thereby trapping sediment. Since sediment trapping enhances
plant growth, the attenuation of hydrodynamic energy results in a positive feedback loop, which drives
the large scale bio-geomorphic landscape formation. Understanding this type of feedback-interactions
between physical and biological processes is a main focus of the Spatial Ecology Department in Yerseke.
The Spatial Ecology department is looking for a
PhD-student (ecologist / physical geographer / engineer)
Fundamental ecology for application: how to use wetlands for flood defense
Vacancy number: 2014-014
Job description:
Restoration and conservation of wetlands in front of dikes (=vegetated foreshores) is a promising costeffective method of flood defence. Unfortunately, practical application is hampered by lack of
fundamental understanding of two key aspects: (1) insight in the long-term ecosystem dynamics of these
vegetated foreshores and (2) the compatibility of safety goals with conservation aims like maximizing
biodiversity. This project aims to generate fundamental insights by comparing 4 different wetland types
with contrasting plant growth strategies, and translating this to applicable knowledge for managers of
dike safety, managers of nature conservation, consultants designing dikes and industry.
With respect to long-term dynamics you will carry out process studies that give insight in critical
thresholds on 1a) wetland decay, 1b) wetland establishment, and 1c) positive biogeomorphic feedbacks.
With respect to the compliance of safety and conservation goals, you will 2a) study in the field how
different management strategies affect wave attenuation and biodiversity and 2b) model the
dependence of ecosystem services on age and characteristics of the vegetation under different
management strategies. Overall, you will provide fundamental insight in how plant-growth strategies
affect both thresholds driving wetland dynamics and trade-offs in their ecosystem services. These
fundamental insights will be translated towards application by intensive collaboration in a large research
team. You will provide the knowledge basis for long-term biogeomorphical modelling (task post-doc TU
Twente), safety analyses (task PhD – TU Delft) and management evaluations (task post-doc TU Delft).
During the project, there will be continuous close contact with end-users from management and
industry.
Requirements:
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with an MSc degree in either (marine) ecology OR
physical geography OR engineering. The candidate should have a keen interest in doing cutting-edge
fundamental research, which can be translated in applicable knowledge. Candidates should be capable
to plan and organize their own work, organize and carry out fieldwork across the Netherlands and meet
deadlines imposed by the project. Excellent communication skills and an open collaborative attitude are
essential for the success of this project. Advanced computer skills are an advantage for the modeling part
of the project. Good English oral and writing skills are demanded. The candidate should finalize the
project by completing a PhD thesis and publish results in peer-reviewed journals.
Conditions of employment:
We offer a fulltime position for 4 years, a pension scheme, a yearly 8% vacation allowance, year-end
bonus and flexible employment conditions. Advanced training opportunities are available. Conditions are
based on the Collective Labour Agreement of Research Centers. The position will be located in Yerseke,
located at commuting distance of cities like Antwerpen, Breda and Middelburg. Cost of relocation and
help with housing is provided by NIOZ.
Further information:
Additional information on this vacancy can be obtained from:
dr. T. Bouma, senior scientist (tjeerd.bouma@nioz.nl).
dr. B. Van Wesenbeeck, ecologist (b.vanwesenbeeck@deltares.nl )
Prof. dr. J. Van de Koppel, senior scientist (johan.van.de.koppel@nioz.nl ).
Additional information about the procedure can be obtained from Sigrid Moerbeek, HR advisor,
tel.+ 31-222-369330, email: sigrid.moerbeek@nioz.nl Further information on NIOZ can be found on the
internet: www.nioz.nl
Applications:
Applicants should send a cover letter with motivation, CV, names and email addresses of two referees, to
NIOZ Yerseke, P.O. Box 140, 440 AC Yerseke, the Netherlands, or preferably per e-mail to:
receptie-ceme.yerseke@nioz.nl Please quote the vacancy number 2014-014 in your application.
Closing date: Applications can be submitted until 15th March, 2014