In our globalized planet, distances and boundaries are increasingly irrelevant; mobility and trade facilitate distant connections that support a growing flow of goods and services around the globe; and local natural resources become global commodities that reach people in different parts of the world. Understanding and mapping these global interactions (i.e., telecouplings) is essential to improve the way natural resources are managed locally. For instance, managing a globally traded resource like the tuna stocks of the South Pacific impacts both local fishers, but also tuna processors in other locations, local retailers at consumption points, and people who receive its nutritional benefits in other parts of the world. Understanding and mapping these human-nature interactions across space and time is essential to inform the management of social-ecological systems like fisheries. So far, mapping these interactions uses “traditional" static mapping methods which are a necessary first step, but still rather limited, particularly when such information needs to be used for decision-making. Little research has been done on dynamically representing spatio-temporal dynamics of social-ecological systems in space and time.

Within this PhD you will develop your own research towards designing novel approaches to model and map social-ecological system flows with a special focus on benefits that flow between marine and urban social-ecological systems. You will work with selected case studies related to fisheries social-ecological systems and/or climate regulation by coastal habitats.

Part of your time (< 10 %) will be devoted to teach, assist and supervise MSc students.

• You have an MSc in the field of geography, environmental sciences or geo-informatics.
• You have demonstrated mapping and data visualization skills.
• You have demonstrated scientific creativity that has preferably resulted in a scientific publication.
• You have experience with statistical and spatial data analysis. You have strong computing skills to implement novel models preferably in R, Matlab or Python.
• A strong interest in sustainability issues, marine ecology and interdisciplinary research is an asset.
• Preferably, you have affinity with a multi-cultural education environment.
• You are willing to undertake international travel.

A recognized level of mastery of English language (C1) is required. UT sets specific standards for the English competency of the teaching staff. UT offers training to improve English competency.

For more information on conducting a PhD at the University of Twente you can visit the PhD programme homepage.

Information and application

For more information you can contact Dr. Evangelia Drakou (e-mail: e.drakou@utwente.nl). You are also invited to visit our department’s homepage.

Please submit your application (detailed Curriculum Vitae and a letter elaborating the motivation for the application) before 25 June 2018 (choose “apply now” below).

Job interviews are scheduled in the week of 9 July 2018.

We offer you an inspiring multidisciplinary and challenging international and academic environment. The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues in which internationalization is an important part of the strategic agenda.

You will be fulltime employed for a period of 4 years. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement (CAO-NU) of the Dutch Universities.

• A starting salary of € 2222,- in the first year and a salary of € 2840,- in the fourth year gross per month;
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• A solid pension scheme;
• Minimum of 41 holiday days in case of full-time employment;
• Professional and personal development programs;
• Costs for moving to Enschede may be reimbursed.

The University of Twente. We stand for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which leads change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university of the Netherlands; divided over five faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. We have a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out groundbreaking research.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Because of our diversity values we do particularly support women to apply.

The Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) of the University of Twente provides international postgraduate education, research and project services in the field of geo-information science and earth observation using remote sensing and GIS. The aim of ITC's activities is the international exchange of knowledge, focusing on capacity building and institutional development in developing countries and emerging economies.