The JPI-CH project Wetland Futures in Contested Environments: an inter- and transdisciplinary approach to wetland heritage in the Netherlands, United Kingdom and Ireland (WETFUTURES) centres on the incredible richness and diversity of material and immaterial cultural heritage associated with Northwest European wetland environments. These dynamic areas are undergoing rapid change from climatic, demographic, economic and political influences, but there are no tailor-made or proactive studies to identify the impacts of change on their wide range of heritage values. Additionally, various stakeholders have different interests in these landscapes which are often difficult to reconcile. The WETFUTURES project, carried out by Wageningen University & Research in collaboration with the University of Bradford (United Kingdom) and University College Cork (Ireland), addresses these challenges and explores the ways in which wetland heritage can contribute to contemporary social challenges. The Dutch part of the project will be carried out at the Soil Geography and Landscape Group and Cultural Geography Group of Wageningen University by dr. Roy van Beek (project leader), dr. Maarten Jacobs, a post-doctoral researcher and a research assistant.

This advertisement concerns the position of a post-doctoral researcher within the research project outlined above. Your work will focus on three important Dutch wetland areas: the Wadden Sea region, Schokland and the former fenlands in the western and central parts of the Netherlands (Dutch: veenweidegebied). Your main tasks will be threefold: (1) to map the wide variety of cultural heritage present in these landscapes (ranging from e.g. archaeological sites to historical reclamation relics and specific local cultural practices); (2) to inventory and analyse current approaches to heritage management; (3) to identify the most important landscape changes that are to be anticipated. Your work will result in a number of peer-reviewed papers and provide input for the ethnographic stakeholder research that will be conducted by dr. Jacobs and the research assistant. Additionally, you will organise and participate in various local outreach activities.

You have a PhD in physical geography, earth sciences, environmental sciences, archaeology, history or another relevant field. Preferably you have experience with the research of wetland environments (or other dynamic landscapes). You are a skilled user of GIS and will be able to apply these abilities to the present subject. You are an enthousiastic researcher interested in looking beyond the boundaries of your own discipline and joining efforts with the other members of the project team, as well as the British and Irish project partners. Reading knowledge of Dutch is a pro. You are proficient in English, have excellent oral and written communication skills, and the ability to work efficiently alone as well as in a team.

Applications should include:

• a motivation letter, stating why you want to do this research and how you fit the requirements (no more than one page);
• a full academic CV.

We offer a full-time employment (38 hours per week) as post-doc researcher within the Soil Geography and Landscape Group for 24 months, starting from January or February 2019. A part-time appointment with a maximum of 36 months is negotiable. Salary depends on skills and experience, starting with a maximum of € 3.425,- In addition we offer a holiday bonus of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

Wageningen University & Research

It is the mission of the Soil Geography and Landscape Group (SGL) of Wageningen University to improve and share understanding of soil patterns and landscape dynamics. We take an integrative approach that combines biophysical and human elements to gain insight in past, present and future system dynamics, and to support sustainable land management.

Wageningen University and Research Centre
Delivering a substantial contribution to the quality of life. That's our focus - each and every day. Within our domain of good and safe food & food production, food security and a healthy living environment, we search for answers to issues affecting society - such as sustainable food production, climate change and alternative energy. Of course, we don't do this alone. Every day, 5000 people work on 'the quality of life', turning ideas into reality, on a global scale.