The Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) has a PhD position in ecological modelling.

FRAMEwork aims at establishing biodiversity-friendly farming practices based on the collective, landscape-scale Farmer Cluster approach successfully developed in the UK. FRAMEwork focusses on 11 Europe-wide pilot studies, to develop the necessary ecological, technical and socio-economic knowledge, together with communication and implementation tools needed to support the farmer clusters in establishing biodiversity-friendly farming practices. 

The task of the PhD candidate within this project is to develop the necessary ecological knowledge, by ecological modelling and by ecological monitoring in one of the pilot study areas (Flevoland).

Ecological Modelling. Species that are considered valuable for biodiversity and/or ecosystem services are often dependent on different resources and habitats within the agricultural landscape. For example, beneficial insects often require different habitats for reproduction, larval development and hibernation. These complex dependencies are often over-looked in landscape-ecological studies. To identify these problems, landscape-level population-dynamic modelling approaches have been developed. These models describe the full life-cycle of the species of interest and the spatial and temporal dependencies of each life-stage on specific resources available. The seasonal availability of these resources within the various habitats and the foraging among these habitats in the landscape will drive the dynamics of the population, which, in turn determines its role in providing ecosystem services. Running these models for landscapes that differ in habitat composition and land-use may reveal which habitats and resources are limiting for the target populations. This will help predict the management options that are most effective in enhancing target species and the related ecosystem services. Specific predictions generated by these models will be compared with selected empirical data (from existing data sets, pilot studies or newly designed studies) to validate the models.

Ecological Monitoring. One of the pilot studies is located in Flevoland. A facilitator will be appointed to support the local Farmer Cluster in planning and implementing biodiversity-friendly farming practices. The PhD candidate will assist the facilitator in monitoring the changes in biodiversity during the project and the ecosystem services it provides. Part of this information will also be used for model parameterization and validation.

What are you going to do?

Based on the forementioned modelling approach you will further develop habitat-structured population-dynamical models for selected species or functional groups in selected agricultural landscapes. Starting with natural enemies of pests in arable cropping systems in Flevoland, you will later address two or three other populations in other agricultural systems across Europe. You will study literature data and interact with local facilitators and scientists to obtain all the information needed to structure and parameterize the models.
You will analyze the models and based on that indicate the landscape elements and management options that most likely enhance target species and related ecosystem services.
Together with the facilitator you will design a biodiversity monitoring program for the pilot study area in Flevoland with special focus on the species of interest. You will assist in the actual monitoring, analyze the biodiversity data, and help to formulate advise for further improvement of farming practices.

What do we require?

• A MSc in ecology, evolution or related field;
• good modelling skills, especially in continuous-time predator-prey models;
• affinity with entomology and biological pest control;
• affinity with agricultural practices;
• affinity with nature conservation and landscape level processes;
• good written, oral communication and collaboration skills;
• fluency in English, both written and spoken.

Experience with GIS tools is a pre.

Our offer

We offer a temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.

The salary, depending on relevant experience before the beginning of the employment contract, will be €2,395 to €3,061 (scale P) gross per month, based on a full-time contract of 38 hours a week. This is exclusive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development? Take a look here.

University of Amsterdam

With over 5,000 employees, 30,000 students and a budget of more than 600 million euros, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is an intellectual hub within the Netherlands. Teaching and research at the UvA are conducted within seven faculties: Humanities, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Economics and Business, Law, Science, Medicine and Dentistry. Housed on four city campuses in or near the heart of Amsterdam, where disciplines come together and interact, the faculties have close links with thousands of researchers and hundreds of institutions at home and abroad.  

The UvA’s students and employees are independent thinkers, competent rebels who dare to question dogmas and aren’t satisfied with easy answers and standard solutions. To work at the UvA is to work in an independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society.

Faculty of Science – Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 7,000, as well as 1,600 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) is one of eight research institutes of the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam. The research at IBED aims to unravel how ecosystems function in all their complexity, and how they change due to natural processes and human activities. At its core lies an integrated systems approach to study biodiversity, ecosystems and the environment. IBED adopts this systems approach to ecosystems, addressing abiotic (soil and water quality) and biotic factors (ecology and evolution of plants, animals, and microorganisms), and the interplay between those. The IBED vision includes research encompassing experimental and theoretical approaches at a wide variety of temporal and spatial scales, i.e. from molecules and microorganisms to patterns and processes occurring at the global scale.