PhD Community- and Nature-Based Solutions

This position combines quantitative and qualitative research approaches to understand how we can quantify the effectiveness of community-based nature conservation and restoration. The candidate will assess the integration of participatory monitoring approaches, remote sensing and local natural resource knowledge to improve decision making in the implementation of nature based solutions and inform benefit sharing. The candidate will work on several case studies, including a case study in Northern Kenya in collaboration with the Wyss Academy for Nature (University of Bern).

Your job
Despite the growing recognition of Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) as a promising bottom-up approach to conservation and restoration, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding its effectiveness. While CBNRM is grounded in the idea that communities are well-positioned to manage local resources and align environmental goals with socio-economic benefits, empirical evidence on its long-term outcomes is often fragmented or lacking. One major challenge lies in the limited monitoring of both environmental and social indicators, making it difficult to assess the true impact of community-based nature conservation and restoration. For example, biodiversity assessments often underrepresent community-managed and Indigenous lands, potentially leading to systematic underestimates of conservation success in these areas. Additionally, the absence of robust data can hinder understanding of how CBNRM affects resource use, equity, and benefit-sharing within communities. Without this insight, efforts may fail to address local needs, thereby threatening the sustainability of CBNRM and the complex socio-ecological systems they aim to support. Furthermore, these knowledge gaps pose challenges for scaling CBNRM approaches effectively and for fully accounting for their contributions to regional or national climate and biodiversity targets.

Technological developments, e.g. in mobile phones, geospatial techniques and drones, have significantly expanded the possibilities of monitoring of natural resources, and made them more accessible to communities, civil society organizations, (local) governments, researchers and citizens. As a result, new opportunities exist to expand monitoring efforts including those of environmental services related to carbon stocks and biodiversity. A range of monitoring activities, set up by different stakeholders or organisations, may exist within one landscape, but may not be aligned. Combining novel tenchological developments with community-based monitoring is expected to promote more collaborative and effective nature conservation and restoration efforts, through increased capability to mitigate negative and unintended impacts and reinforce positive environmental and social impacts. The success of CBNRM is influenced by i) governance structure, which has been researched extensively, and ii) spatial variability in biophysical factors such as soil, climate and vegetation structure, which are rarely included in studies on community involvement in nature conservation. A key knowledge gap exists around how these monitoring approaches can inform CBNRM and improve its effectiveness, thereby contributing to better-informed benefit sharing.

We are looking for a PhD candidate who:

• holds a Master degree in Natural Resource Management, Biology, Environmental Sciences or similar
• has experience in quantification of ecosystem services and/or landscape monitoring
• has experience in working with community-based natural resource management initiatives
• has experience working in different cultural settings
• has experience working with handling, analyzing, and visualizing spatial and remote sensing data
• has understanding of MRV systems (e.g. on carbon, biodiversity conservation etc.) and their challenges and opportunities (or willingness to learn)
• has understanding of benefit sharing in payment for ecosystem services (or willingness to learn)
• preferably has fieldwork experience (in the Global South)
• is motivated and willing to conduct research in the case study regions
• is a critical thinker, curiosity-driven and a team player, able to work in inter- and transdisciplinary settings
• has excellent oral and written communication skills in English

We offer:

• a position (1.0 FTE) for 1 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 working week of 38 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2.901 and €3.707 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.

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 Dr Anna Duden at A.S.Duden@uu.nl

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.