Post-doc Landscape impact of new coastal defense systems: Living Dikes (1.0 FTE)

Applications are invited for a post-doc researcher in the area of landscape studies and physical geography. This position is embedded in the NWA-funded project “Living Dikes - Realising Resilient and Climate‐Proof Coastal Protection”, led by dr.ir. Bas Borsje from University of Twente (UT), which started November 2021, and includes a high number of partners from different academic and societal institutions, including the Centre for Landscape Studies of the University of Groningen

The project’s consortium brings together experts from various fields, including engineering, nature conservation, and landscape architecture. The project focuses on the development of coastal defense systems that move away from hard-engineering structures such as dikes covered with asphalt. Soft-engineering solutions, coastal wetlands in front of the dikes in combination with greener dikes, are likely to profoundly affect both the appearance as well as the functions of our coastal landscape. This postdoc project deals with implementation on a holistic landscape level.

The post-doc researcher will:

- investigate how new coastal defense systems and human relations with the coast link on to historic and actual mentalities and actions regarding coastal safety
- Investigate how these past and present systems affect and affected the physical geography and ecology of the landscape
- explore how new coastal defense systems, as developed within the framework of the project, will interact with the existing (cultural-historical) landscape
- investigate how landscape-inclusive design and engineering of Living Dikes can be used to make these connect to the existing landscape and the people therein.

Where will you work?

The Centre for Landscape Studies is an interdisciplinary academic centre that focuses on education, research and knowledge exchange in the field of Dutch and European landscapes. The centre offers a successful and growing (Dutch) MA program in Landscape History. The centre for landscape studies is a major partner in the UG Sustainable Landscapes Research Group, which allows you to share ideas with a wide array of transdisciplinary scientists from all faculties within UG.

With whom will you work?

You will be the lead researcher of this part of the Living Dikes project. You will work closely together with environmental archaeologist dr. Mans Schepers and physical geographer dr. Erik Meijles. During the project, you will collaborate with multiple researchers working within the Living Dikes project in other (academic) research institutes and societal partners, including TU Delft, Deltares, and NIOZ. Coastal engineer and PI dr.ir. Bas Borsje from the University of Twente will be closely involved in the project output and discussion leading into that. You will also work with landscape architect Peter de Ruyter to discuss landscape inclusive implementation.

- you are a motivated and enthusiastic early career researcher with a PhD degree in earth sciences or a related discipline
- you have knowledge of and experience with coastal dune and salt marsh ecosystems research and knowledge of the (historical and actual) interplay of human activities and natural processes is highly recommended
- you have a good understanding and knowledge of the historical developments regarding living with water and coastal safety
- you have a proven capacity to cooperate across the boundaries of your own discipline, and willingness to develop this capacity further
- you have an excellent publication record for the stage of your career
- you are fluent in English.

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

• a salary depending on qualifications and work experience between € 2,836 and € 4,474 (salary scale 10) for a fulltime position a salary
• on top of that income, you will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an annual bonus of 8.3%
• you will initially be appointed for a period of 1 year with the prospect of extending the contract with another year after positive evaluation.

Start date: 1 March 2022 (a later starting date can be discussed, but no later than 1 June 2022).

For more detailed information about working conditions and working for the University of Groningen, please check: https://www.rug.nl/about-us/work-with-us/

Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has established an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative university offering high-quality teaching and research. Its 36,000 students are encouraged to develop their own individual talents through challenging study and career paths. The University of Groningen is an international centre of knowledge: it belongs to the best research universities in Europe and is allied with prestigious partner universities and networks worldwide.