PhD Position - Restoration of Riverine Grasslands

Do you want to understand how ecosystems function? Do you have good knowledge of Dutch Flora and experience in writing Dutch reports? Are you eager to explore how a complex interplay of factors such as climate, soil, water, and management results in highly species-rich grasslands in riverine areas? Are you motivated to contribute to nature restoration by sharing your knowledge with conservation managers? And would you like to expand your expertise in vegetation and nature management, and grow into an expert in Dutch terrestrial ecosystems?
Then this position is made for you!

At the Vegetation and Landscape Ecology team of Wageningen Environmental Research (part of Wageningen University & Research), we are looking for a PhD candidate on the restoration of riverine grasslands. This is a four-year position leading to a PhD at the University of Amsterdam.
You will study the factors that determine the conservation, restoration, and favorable development of riverine grasslands, a habitat type protected under European legislation. The research focuses on the river processes and management practices required for the expansion of these dry grasslands in floodplains and for improving vegetation quality and the viability of characteristic plant species populations.
Your work will address the abiotic and biotic requirements of riverine grasslands, their relationship with a changing climate, the effects of different management practices, the potential for grassland development on former agricultural lands, and the conditions under which characteristic species establish, as well as the plant traits that enable this. You will present your research at (inter)national symposia and report your findings in scientific publications and national research reports.

Ultimately, the research will lead to a doctoral dissertation consisting of a coherent set of subprojects, each published as a separate chapter in international journals. The project is funded by the Dutch provinces and the OBN (Knowledge Network for Restoration and Management of Nature), and is co-supervised by conservation organizations and funding partners.

You will work here
You will be part of the Vegetation and Landscape Ecology Team at Wageningen Environmental Research in Wageningen, where Dr. John Janssen will be your daily supervisor. Your main PhD supervisor will be Dr. Annemieke Kooijman at the University of Amsterdam. Several times a year, you will present your progress to an external advisory committee chaired by MSc. Annelies Blankena from the State Forestry Department.

You are passionate about ecology, particularly in understanding the complex relationships between environmental pressures, site conditions, vegetation composition, and plant traits. You can integrate field observations and measurements into new insights that are relevant to nature management practice. You are eager to publish your results in scientific journals and present them at international conferences. You aspire to become the expert on riverine grasslands in the Netherlands.

You have:

• An MSc degree in ecology, environmental science, or a related field
• Experience with ecological fieldwork, preferably vegetation surveys, soil sampling, plant population monitoring, or ecosystem functioning measurements
• Good knowledge of the Dutch flora
• Experience with data analysis in R
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Experience in spoken and written reporting in Dutch
• Good command of the English language, both written and spoken

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• Partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The gross salary for the first year is € 3.059,- per month rising to € 3.881,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is ‘To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life’.

We pursue this mission through a synergistic approach between Wageningen University and Wageningen Research Foundation (applied research). Our research focuses on questions within the domains of food, living environment, and society. With approximately 30 locations, 7,700 staff members, 2,500 PhD candidates, and over 13,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is among the world’s leading knowledge institutions in its domain. The integral approach to challenges and the collaboration across various disciplines form the core of the unique Wageningen approach.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR.

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

For more information about the position, please contact John Janssen en Annemieke Kooijman , john.janssen@wur.nl or a.m.kooijmans@uva.nl.

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jessa Rozema, Corporate Recruiter, via jessa.rozema-stol@wur.nl

Ready to apply?
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

Interested candidates should submit the following:

• A cover letter outlining motivation and suitability for the project (max. 2 pages).
• A CV, including relevant research experiences. (max. 2 pages).
• fill this mandatory form : PhD Position – Restoration of Riverine Grasslands – Fill out form

You can apply until 14 November 2025. The first interviews are scheduled for the end of November 2025.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.