Biological invasions are globally occurring at an accelerated rate and are seen as a serious threat to biodiversity, native species, and ecosystem functioning in general. Until now most studies are aiming at understanding the ecology, genetics and evolution of invading species in order to understand their invasion success. However, even when invasions are successful they differ in their impact on the receiving ecosystems, ranging from complete extirpation of native species to 'naturalisation' of the alien invasive without apparent negative effects on the ecosystem (from low to high resilience). To date, little attention has been paid to understanding the response and resilience of receiving ecosystems and if and how native species can potentially cope with invasions by adapting to the invaders. The aim of this 1-year postdoctoral project is to start developing a novel perspective on biological invasions by focussing on the resilience of receiving ecosystems, considering: 1) the properties of the receiving ecosystems, 2) adaptations of native species and 3) the functional genomic modifications underlying these adaptations. In this project we focus on invasions of freshwater gobies across Europe. More specifically, the postdoc will organize and lead a 1-month field expedition across Europe to collect preliminary data and use this data to develop several research grant applications.

For this interdisciplinary project, we look for an enthusiastic, result-driven person with a PhD degree in ecology, (invasion)biology, life history evolution or a related field. The candidate should have affinity with evolutionary, organismal and population biology. Quantitative and modelling skills are highly valued. Excellent writing and communication skills (both oral and written) in English are prerequisite.

We offer you a temporary position for a period of 1 year. Gross salary is € 2.984 - 3.238 maximum per month, based on a fulltime employment and dependent on expertise and experience. We not only offer a competitive salary, but also a good pension of the ABP Pension Fund.

Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University is the academic core of Wageningen University and Research (WUR), which is the largest biology-oriented research institution in The Netherlands. The mission of WUR is to explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life. WUR trains professionals in applied and fundamental research, aiming for breakthroughs in science and technology. The postdoc will be based at the Aquaculture & Fisheries and Experimental Zoology groups of Wageningen University & Research (the Netherlands) under direct supervision of Dr. Leo Nagelkerke and Dr. Bart Pollux in close cooperation with an interdisciplinary team of experts with very different research backgrounds, both from within and from outside WUR, ranging from genomics, population genetics, co-evolutionary modelling, life history evolution, eco-physiology, eco-morphology, invasion biology and risk assessment management.