About your NL2120 subproject
The objective of this PhD is to investigate the effectiveness of freshwater wetlands to provide simultaneously biodiversity recovery and ecosystem services while providing a nature-based solution to adapt to climate change. Freshwater wetlands have been developed in particular as a response to flooding risks in The Netherlands and they serve to store water in times of a water surplus. This has resulted in an increase in the area of freshwater wetlands in The Netherlands, while wetland biodiversity is one of the few groups that did not decline nationally, but actually improved over the last decade. Presumably, this is a result of the development of new freshwater wetlands as climate buffers. Indeed, several iconic freshwater wetlands are now existing for almost ten years and are known as hotspots for bird watching. However, a systematic study into this new phenomenon is lacking and the success of these wetlands is largely anecdotic. With ongoing climate change the need for climate buffers will increase and therefore, freshwater wetlands may be a nature-based solution that can be applied to a much larger extent in the future, both for buffering in times of flooding, but more recently, also for storing water for drought periods.
In this project, we investigate the effectiveness of freshwater wetlands as climate buffers and their contribution to multi-functional landscapes. More specifically, the PhD project will focus on the following research questions: Do freshwater wetlands contribute to net biodiversity gain and for which groups of biodiversity? What ecosystem services do these wetlands provide? What are the enablers and constraints in scaling up the application of freshwater wetlands as nature-based solution (inter)nationally? What properties should these wetlands have to optimize climate change adaptation, biodiversity recovery and ecosystem services? This study includes the analysis of freshwater wetlands as climate buffers at the national scale as well as in-depth analysis of several selected iconic wetlands that are considered biodiversity hotspots in The Netherlands.

Your qualifications:

• A Master’s degree (or will graduate before appointment date) in Ecology or Environmental Science;
• Strong statistical analysis and technical skills;
• Proficient in the application of spatial analysis in R;
• Familiar with socio-ecological systems;
• Interested in collaboration with stakeholders;
• Motivated to work in an interdisciplinary team;
• A proactive, inquisitive, enthusiastic, creative and self-reliant mind-set;
• Strongly motivated to obtain a PhD degree;
• Excellent English language proficiency (a minimum of CEFR C2 level). For more information about this proficiency level, please visit our special language page;
• Fluency in Dutch language.

You will work here
The position is available within Wageningen University & Research at the Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group (WEC) led by Professor Frank van Langevelde. The organisation has good and flexible employment conditions, including good education and training facilities for PhD students.

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 € 2.901,- per month rising to € 3.707,- 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.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. We can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

For more information about this position, please contact Prof. Liesbeth Bakker (L.Bakker@nioo.knaw.nl) or prof. Frank van Langevelde (Frank.vanlangevelde@wur.nl).

For more information about the procedure, Edgar Tijhuis, corporate recruiter, edgar.tijhuis@wur.nl

For further information about working at Wageningen University & Research, take a look at http://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs.htm.

Ready to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including August 4th 2025. We aim to schedule the interviews Wednesday 27 August (first interview) and Wednesday 3 September (second interview).

Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure.

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.

For more information about this position, please contact Prof. Liesbeth Bakker (L.Bakker@nioo.knaw.nl) or prof. Frank van Langevelde (Frank.vanlangevelde@wur.nl).

For more information about the procedure, Edgar Tijhuis, corporate recruiter, edgar.tijhuis@wur.nl

For further information about working at Wageningen University & Research, take a look at http://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs.htm.

Ready to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including August 4th 2025. We aim to schedule the interviews Wednesday 27 August (first interview) and Wednesday 3 September (second interview).

Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure.

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.