Job Wageningen University and Research centre - PhD candidate “Arable field margins for biodiversity and landscape values”

This research aims to develop a management strategy for arable field margins to enhance biodiversity and landscape values in agricultural areas. Less intensively managed arable margins have been established for years but proven benefits for biodiversity and landscape quality are moderate. The PhD candidate will focus on the improvement of management and spatial layout of these margins, especially at the landscape level. Not only ecological aspects will be studied but socio-economic aspects (perceptions, cost-benefits, policy instruments, opportunities for recreation, etc.) will also be taken into account.

We are looking for an enthusiastic science-driven candidate with a Master degree in Nature Conservation, Landscape Ecology, or a related scientific discipline. The successful candidate should have knowledge of different biodiversity aspects, skills in conducting field work and proven interest in conservation on farmland. Furthermore, the candidate should have knowledge of the socio-economic aspects of nature conservation, organisational capacities and excellent communication skills (Dutch, spoken and written English).

We offer a full-time position for maximum 4 years. There will be a probationary period of 18 months. The gross salary is € 2.042,- based on a full time position in the first year and increases to € 2.612,- in the final year.

The Nature Conservation and Plant Ecology Group (www.ncp.wur.nl) performs research and education in the fields of nature conservation, systems ecology and plant population biology, in temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The NCP group is part of the Centre for Ecosystem Studies, in which groups of Wageningen University and teams of the Alterra research institute cooperate.

Prof.dr. G.R. de Snoo
0317-483174
Geert.deSnoo@wur.nl