The Department of Sustainable Development is looking for a PhD researcher for a project in 'Contributing to biodiversity recovery using university campuses as living labs'.

Your job
We are seeking a PhD researcher to (1) evaluate the contribution of innovative biodiversity recovery measures at university campuses to biodiversity conservation targets at the city, regional and national scale, as well as international biodiversity conservation and recovery targets (EU targets, Aichi targets); (2) identify most effective measures for biodiversity recovery; and (3) evaluate how university communities can contribute to effective, long-term monitoring of biodiversity developments. Concretely, the PhD researcher will combine novel tools and approaches for biodiversity monitoring and mobilise students, researchers and other stakeholders to participate in such assessments. A successful PhD research realised within this programme will lead to guidelines on how measures for biodiversity recovery can best be planned and implemented in peri-urban areas such as university campuses; key performance indicators that are effective evaluation tools of biodiversity recovery; and hands-on and practical monitoring strategies for campus and city management.

The selected candidate will be part of the SUNSET Doctoral Network built around a community of leading scholars and 10 doctoral candidates (DCs) delivering insights into how universities and their host cities can collaborate and interact to achieve the digitalisation and sustainability goals set out by current European and global policy agendas. The network is purposefully international, intersectoral, and interdisciplinary. It consists of 6 academic and 16 non-academic partners in 5 European countries (Belgium – The Netherlands – Finland – Norway – Estonia). SUNSET emphasizes cooperative research and includes international mobility and intersectoral secondments to maximise the career potential of all DCs.

The PhD researcher will be supervised by a team of supervisors as part of the Marie-Curie Training Network.

• Host institution: Utrecht University, the Netherlands
• Supervisory team: Prof. Merel Soons (PhD main supervisor, Utrecht University), Prof. Aveliina Helm (PhD co-supervisor, University of Tartu), Dr. Sietze Norder (PhD co-supervisor, Utrecht University), Robin Aanstoot (National Park Utrechtse Heuvelrug)
• Enrolment in Doctoral School: Graduate School of Geosciences.

Planned secondments:

• University of Tartu (Fall 2026): Visiting Fellowship at the Mobility Lab
• National Park Utrechtse Heuvelrug (NPUH)(Fall 2025): the Doctoral Candidate will evaluate the contribution of UU Campus to regional biodiversity recovery and the biodiversity targets of NPUH

The expected starting date for the PhD is by 1st September 2024 at the latest.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience (essential):

• You have a Master of Science in Environmental Science, Ecology or Sustainability Science, or related disciplines (a completed Master of Science degree by summer 2024);
• You have excellent research skills and ethical practices, including the ability to gather, analyse and interpret data as evidenced by successful completion of at least one research internship/project;
• You have an excellent command of the English language (in both written and oral form);
• You have ability to work both independently and in a team, you are collaborative and have team-player skills;
• You are a pro-active and motivated person, eager to participate in network-wide training events, international mobility, and public dissemination activities;
• You have good time management skills and ability to balance between the PhD and the research project demands;
• You have excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• You did not reside or carry out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status are not taken into account.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience (desirable):

• fluency in R for statistical analysis;
• experience with ecological fieldwork;
• experience with stakeholder engagement, knowledge exchange in workshops, focus groups, and participatory research activities;
• willingness to acquire new skills as required for the required research of the PhD project.

• a temporary position (32-36 hours), initially for one year with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
• a full-time gross salary between €2,770 in the first year and €3,539 in the fourth year of employment in scale P of the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU);
• 8% holiday bonus and 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment conditions based on the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit working at Utrecht University.

Universiteit Utrecht

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

The Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development wants to have a positive impact on the transition to a sustainable society, which includes strengthening risk regulation regimes for chemicals and pharmaceuticals and reducing the need for the use of laboratory animals. We do this by developing excellent and relevant knowledge in interdisciplinary teams and by educating the change agents of the future. The Copernicus Institute has had an excellent research evaluation in 2021 and the institute takes pride in maintaining its leading position in national and international sustainability research, and by developing new, internationally oriented teaching programmes. The institute consists of five research groups (sections): Innovation Studies, Environmental Governance, Environmental Sciences, Energy and Resources, and the Utrecht Futures Studio. This PhD-project will be embedded in the Environmental Sciences group.