Are you interested in demographic research that applies cutting-edge theory to empirical applications? We are seeking two Postdoctoral researchers to take part in the ERC-funded program Formal Demography of Kinship and Family (FORMKIN). A recent series of papers has presented a new theory for the formal demography of kinship networks. (See: Demographic Research 41:679, 42: 1097, 45:51 and bioRxiv).

These postdoctoral positions will apply this new theory to empirical data, in order to address important demographic and/or population biological questions. Of particular interest are: within and between country comparisons, historical developments, and connections to socioeconomic and health factors.  

We are also interested in applications to animal populations in relation to life histories, social behavior, or kin selection.  

What will you be doing? 

You are expected to:

• be active in the FORMKIN project, including carrying out research, publishing in scientific journals, and presenting results at conferences;
• participate in Theoretical and Computational Ecology department activities;
• be open to collaborations and interactions with researchers in the social and biological sciences, here and at other institutes. 

What do we require of you? 

• A PhD in demography, population biology, or a related field.
• Scientific expertise in population models (especially matrix population models) and data analysis.
• The ability and willingness to use or learn computational tools including Matlab and LaTeX.
• The ability and willingness to operate comfortably on the interface of theory and data, in an interdisciplinary environment.

A temporary contract for 38 hours a week, preferably starting on 1 May 2022 for the duration of 12 months. An extension with 12 months subsequently follows if we assess your performance positive

Your salary, depending on your relevant experience on commencement of the employment contract, ranges between €2.836 to €4.474 gross per month on the basis of a full working week of 38 hours. This sum does not include the 8% holiday allowance and the 8.3% year-end allowance. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU) is applicable.

University of Amsterdam

With over 6,000 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 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.

These positions will be housed within the Department of Theoretical and Computational Ecology within IBED, there joining members of the Theoretical Population Ecology group, where a variety of population models are investigated.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.