Join WildlifeNL as a PhD candidate focusing on governance of human-wildlife interactions in the Netherlands. In this role you contribute to research aimed at fostering coexistence between humans and wildlife through policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and collaborative processes. You will work with a diverse team of researchers and societal partners to explore innovative strategies for sustainable coexistence in an increasingly populated landscape.

Your job
Numbers of several wild mammal species are increasing in the Dutch landscape, while free-roaming cattle and horses (hereafter, large grazers) are also increasingly used in nature management. For a densely populated country like the Netherlands, this means that there are constant interactions between people and wild mammals or large grazers. While these are often experienced as positive, they also sometimes lead to conflicts: between people and animals, or between people. With a broad consortium of researchers and societal partners, WildlifeNL studies ways to support coexistence between humans and wildlife. We investigate the interactions between humans and animals, and explore how the behaviour of wildlife and humans can be influenced in such a way that a low-conflict coexistence of humans and wildlife becomes possible. The research is approached through diverse scientific disciplines in close cooperation with various societal partners, such as nature managers, farmers, hunters, animal welfare organisations and government agencies. We are currently looking for a team of six PhD candidates with backgrounds in ecology, social science and philosophy.

As a PhD candidate on the governance of human-wildlife interactions, you will explore how governance arrangements – such as rules and regulations, roles and responsibilities, and decision-making processes – are experienced and shape opportunities for human-wildlife coexistence. You will employ qualitative methods to analyse policies that influence human-wildlife interactions and their management. Through interviews with stakeholders in two living labs (Grenspark KempenBroek and Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland), you will investigate how current rules and roles are understood, implemented, and how they impact collaboration among stakeholders. Building on your qualitative insights, you will apply quantitative methods to assess stakeholder perceptions on a broader scale.

Furthermore, you will co-lead a participatory process that brings together diverse stakeholders to envision modifications to current governance arrangements, aiming to foster more mutually beneficial human-wildlife interactions and stakeholder collaboration. You will work closely with the other WildlifeNL PhD candidates to work towards novel strategies to promote human-wildlife coexistence.

• You have a Master’s degree in social (environmental) science, sustainability science, earth systems governance or a related area.
• You are fluent in both spoken and written Dutch and English.
• You have experience with conducting policy analysis or policy tracing and are familiar with relevant theoretical frameworks.
• You have field experience with conducting stakeholder interviews and/or administering surveys.
• You have strong qualitative or quantitative analytical skills, and willingness to develop the other.
• You have a demonstrable affinity for workshop facilitation or participatory research.
• You are flexible and open-minded and have excellent communication skills. You have demonstrable communication with diverse stakeholders (e.g., different disciplines or societal actors).
• You have a collaborative spirit and the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team of other PhD candidates, senior scientists, and societal partners.
• You have strong skills in academic writing, and published work as the first author (or high-quality unpublished work) will be considered an advantage.
• You have a strong interest in working inter- and transdisciplinary and in human-wildlife interactions and their management.
• You can demonstrate a clear affinity with stakeholder engagement, preferably you have experience in this, particularly in relation to stakeholders relevant to the job description.
• You can demonstrate an affinity with societally relevant and/or applied research.

We offer:

• a position 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 gross monthly salary between €2,872 and €3,670 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

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.

For more information about this position, please contact Sabrina Dressel at sabrina.dressel@wur.nl.