A 31 month post doc-position in Polar invasion ecology is available at the Department of Ecological Science, for the research project entitled ‘Aliens in the polar regions’, funded by the Netherlands Polar Program (NWO). Within this project we aim to unravel the impacts of alien plant establishment on the functioning of terrestrial Arctic ecosystems in a warmer climate. What are the consequences of alien invasions for the primary productivity, nutrient availability and carbon cycling in Arctic ecosystems? In particular the large carbon stocks of sub-arctic tundra are of interest as they have large feedbacks to the global carbon cycle and greenhouse gas induced climate warming. In addition, we aim to establish the role of native species that could facilitate, as ‘invasion engineers’, the establishment of alien species. The candidate will perform growth experiments between native Arctic and invasive species under controlled laboratory conditions as well as under field conditions in the Arctic region (northern Scandinavia and Svalbard). The project will contribute to improve the research and environmental management activities related to alien invasions within the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna. The project will be run in collaboration with prof. P. Convey from the British Antarctic Survey.
 
Your duties
• Perform growth experiments between invasive and native Arctic vascular plants in order to identify potential success and impacts of invasive species
• Quantify the impact of invasive species on the functioning of Arctic ecosystem processes, such as primary production, carbon and nutrient cycling..  
• Quantify the effect of invasive species on the release of soil carbon from deeper soil layers using stable isotopes
• Perform experiments to quantify the role of climate warming on the impact and success of invasive species.
• Identify native ‘invasion engineers’ that could facilitate success of invasive plants.
• Writing of scientific manuscripts at the end of the project..

• PhD in Ecological Sciences or comparable, with relevant research experience.
• Experience with plant ecology under laboratory and field conditions is essential.
• Experience with use of stable isotopes (13C) in experiments is preferred.
• Willingness and ability to work in remote Arctic regions
• Proficiency with statistical approaches and use of R.
• Ability to independently publish in peer reviewed science journals. 
• Excellent social skills to work in an interdisciplinary international research team.
• English language proficiency both in speech and in writing.

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. On full-time basis the remuneration amounts to a minimum gross monthly salary of € 2,640.- and a maximum € 3,425.- in accordance with salary scale 10, depending on your education and experience. The job profile (Onderzoeker 4) is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for at least 0.8 FTE.
 
Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:
• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• considerable employer’s contribution to the ABP pension scheme
• contribution to commuting expenses
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

https://workingat.vu.nl/vacancies

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. And to be a university where personal education and societal involvement play a leading role. Where people from different disciplines and backgrounds work together on innovations and on generating new knowledge. Our teaching and research embrace the whole spectrum of science – from the humanities, the social sciences and the pure sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.
 
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 23,000 students. We employ more than 4,500 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible, located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity is one of our university’s core values. We are an inclusive community, and we believe that diversity and international activities enhance the quality of education and research. We are always looking for people who can enhance diversity on our campus thanks to their background and experience.

The Faculty of Science inspires researchers and students to find sustainable solutions for complex societal issues. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to medicines and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research programmes cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. We share knowledge and experience with leading research institutes and industries, both here in the Netherlands and abroad.
 
Working at the Faculty of Science means working with students, PhD candidates and researchers, all with a clear focus on their field and a broad view of the world. We employ more than 1,250 staff members, and we are home to around 6,000 students. 
 
The Department of Ecological Science (DES) answers fundamental ecological and evolutionary questions regarding the relationship between organisms and their environment at the full array of hierarchical levels: from molecular ecology to ecosystem research. The department comprises a dynamic community of researchers and provides an excellent research environment with state-of-the-art facilities and high quality training.