PhD Position Designing Resilient and Biodiverse Landscapes at Meso-Scale
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Jouw functie
The twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss call for thoughtful, collaborative approaches to sustainability—both in how activities unfold on the ground and in how they contribute to regional, national, and global sustainability targets. The ways people care for and relate to the land play a central role in these issues, for example through deforestation, and urbanization, but also through protection and restoration.
How can ecosystem restoration and land use practices—such as wetland restoration or agroecological farming—help nurture healthier ecosystems, support farm livelihoods, and ensure a better living environment? What spatial planning approaches best balance food production goals, environmental quality objectives, and community well-being?
Meso-level modelling (e.g. at the level of river basins or provinces) could find an answer to these questions by bridging global and local perspectives and capturing both fine-scale landscape patterns and the diverse, context-specific human decision-making processes that shape land-use outcomes. Using real-world cases, the selected candidate will investigate and model how economic incentives and behavioural drivers interact to shape land-use decisions and their consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem services. This research will help identify which policies and incentives can foster effective nature restoration, strengthen ecosystem resilience, and support sustainable food systems in a spatially explicit manner.
Your duties
Jouw profiel
event.target.parentNode.classList.toggle('open'))()">
Wat bieden wij
A Challenging Position In a Socially Engaged Organisation. At VU Amsterdam, You Contribute To Education, Research And Service For a Better World. And That Is Valuable. So In Return For Your Efforts, We Offer You:
event.target.parentNode.classList.toggle('open'))()">
Over ons
Institute for Environmental Studies
The work will be carried out at the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM). IVM is a leading environmental research institute that is internationally recognized for its high quality research output in a range of environmental disciplines, as well as for its interdisciplinary work. The mission of the institute is to contribute to sustainable development and care for the environment through scientific research and teaching. IVM aims to do excellent problem-oriented research that is useful to a wide range of stakeholders in the Netherlands and internationally. A unique strength of our research is to understand sustainability problems in their social and economic context. IVM research community works within four departments: Environmental Economics; Environmental Policy Analysis; Environmental Geography; and Water and Climate Risk. IVM is part of the Faculty of Science at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (www.ivm.vu.nl). This position is based within the Environmental Geography department in collaboration with the Environmental Economics department. The Environmental Geography department conducts interdisciplinary research on the spatial aspects of environmental and social challenges and the solutions sustainable land use can provide to these.
Faculty of Science
Researchers and students at VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.
We work on new solutions guided by value-driven, interdisciplinary methodologies. We are committed to research, valorisation and training socially engaged citizens of the world who will make valuable contributions to a sustainable, healthy future.
Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Science? You will join undergraduate students, PhD candidates and researchers at the biggest sciences faculty in the Netherlands. You will combine a professional focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working climate, characterised by committed staff, a pragmatic attitude and engagement in the larger whole. The faculty is home to over 11,000 students enrolled in 40 study programmes. It employs over 1,600 professionals spread across 10 academic departments.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct
We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.
Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.
We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.
Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.
event.target.parentNode.classList.toggle('open'))()">
Interesse
Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application. Please ensure your application includes: a) a CV listing at the end the names and contact details of two referees; b) a 1-2 page cover letter outlining your background and how you envision your contribution to our department in terms of research.
Submitting a diploma and a reference check are part of the application process.
Selection will take place within two weeks after the deadline.
Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.
Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.
event.target.parentNode.classList.toggle('open'))()">
Jouw functie
The twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss call for thoughtful, collaborative approaches to sustainability—both in how activities unfold on the ground and in how they contribute to regional, national, and global sustainability targets. The ways people care for and relate to the land play a central role in these issues, for example through deforestation, and urbanization, but also through protection and restoration.
How can ecosystem restoration and land use practices—such as wetland restoration or agroecological farming—help nurture healthier ecosystems, support farm livelihoods, and ensure a better living environment? What spatial planning approaches best balance food production goals, environmental quality objectives, and community well-being?
Meso-level modelling (e.g. at the level of river basins or provinces) could find an answer to these questions by bridging global and local perspectives and capturing both fine-scale landscape patterns and the diverse, context-specific human decision-making processes that shape land-use outcomes. Using real-world cases, the selected candidate will investigate and model how economic incentives and behavioural drivers interact to shape land-use decisions and their consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem services. This research will help identify which policies and incentives can foster effective nature restoration, strengthen ecosystem resilience, and support sustainable food systems in a spatially explicit manner.
Your duties
Jouw profiel
event.target.parentNode.classList.toggle('open'))()">
Wat bieden wij
A Challenging Position In a Socially Engaged Organisation. At VU Amsterdam, You Contribute To Education, Research And Service For a Better World. And That Is Valuable. So In Return For Your Efforts, We Offer You:
event.target.parentNode.classList.toggle('open'))()">
Over ons
Institute for Environmental Studies
The work will be carried out at the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM). IVM is a leading environmental research institute that is internationally recognized for its high quality research output in a range of environmental disciplines, as well as for its interdisciplinary work. The mission of the institute is to contribute to sustainable development and care for the environment through scientific research and teaching. IVM aims to do excellent problem-oriented research that is useful to a wide range of stakeholders in the Netherlands and internationally. A unique strength of our research is to understand sustainability problems in their social and economic context. IVM research community works within four departments: Environmental Economics; Environmental Policy Analysis; Environmental Geography; and Water and Climate Risk. IVM is part of the Faculty of Science at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (www.ivm.vu.nl). This position is based within the Environmental Geography department in collaboration with the Environmental Economics department. The Environmental Geography department conducts interdisciplinary research on the spatial aspects of environmental and social challenges and the solutions sustainable land use can provide to these.
Faculty of Science
Researchers and students at VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.
We work on new solutions guided by value-driven, interdisciplinary methodologies. We are committed to research, valorisation and training socially engaged citizens of the world who will make valuable contributions to a sustainable, healthy future.
Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Science? You will join undergraduate students, PhD candidates and researchers at the biggest sciences faculty in the Netherlands. You will combine a professional focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working climate, characterised by committed staff, a pragmatic attitude and engagement in the larger whole. The faculty is home to over 11,000 students enrolled in 40 study programmes. It employs over 1,600 professionals spread across 10 academic departments.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct
We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.
Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.
We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.
Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.
event.target.parentNode.classList.toggle('open'))()">
Interesse
Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application. Please ensure your application includes: a) a CV listing at the end the names and contact details of two referees; b) a 1-2 page cover letter outlining your background and how you envision your contribution to our department in terms of research.
Submitting a diploma and a reference check are part of the application process.
Selection will take place within two weeks after the deadline.
Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.
Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.
Jouw functie
The twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss call for thoughtful, collaborative approaches to sustainability—both in how activities unfold on the ground and in how they contribute to regional, national, and global sustainability targets. The ways people care for and relate to the land play a central role in these issues, for example through deforestation, and urbanization, but also through protection and restoration.
How can ecosystem restoration and land use practices—such as wetland restoration or agroecological farming—help nurture healthier ecosystems, support farm livelihoods, and ensure a better living environment? What spatial planning approaches best balance food production goals, environmental quality objectives, and community well-being?
Meso-level modelling (e.g. at the level of river basins or provinces) could find an answer to these questions by bridging global and local perspectives and capturing both fine-scale landscape patterns and the diverse, context-specific human decision-making processes that shape land-use outcomes. Using real-world cases, the selected candidate will investigate and model how economic incentives and behavioural drivers interact to shape land-use decisions and their consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem services. This research will help identify which policies and incentives can foster effective nature restoration, strengthen ecosystem resilience, and support sustainable food systems in a spatially explicit manner.
Your duties
- You conduct innovative research on the interactions between economic incentives, behavioural drivers, and land-use decisions at the meso-scale (e.g. river basins or regions), using clear case studies.
- You develop modelling approaches that bridge economic analysis and spatial explicit landscape level modelling.
- You analyse the consequences of land-use decisions for biodiversity, ecosystem services, and sustainable food systems.
- You identify and assess policy instruments and incentives that can foster effective nature restoration and enhance ecosystem resilience.
- You publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at international scientific conferences and workshops.
Jouw profiel
- You have a master’s degree in geography, environmental or ecological economics, environmental science, sustainability science or a related field.
- You have experience with quantitative research methodologies, including mathematical programming or scenario modelling.
- You have experience with spatial analysis and data processing, preferably ArcGIS or QGIS
- You have strong interest in linking human behaviour to land-use in the context of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
- You have affinity with interdisciplinary research and willingness to engage with both natural and social science perspectives.
- You have good communication skills in English (spoken and written).
event.target.parentNode.classList.toggle('open'))()">
Wat bieden wij
A Challenging Position In a Socially Engaged Organisation. At VU Amsterdam, You Contribute To Education, Research And Service For a Better World. And That Is Valuable. So In Return For Your Efforts, We Offer You:
- A salary of minimum € 3.059,00 (PhD salary scale 85.0) and maximum € 3.881,00 (PhD salary scale 85.3) gross per month, on a full-time basis.
- A position for 1 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year. Afterwards, the possibility of expansion for 3 years exists. The job profile is based on the university job ranking system.
- A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
- 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
- Contribution to commuting expenses
- A wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge
- Solid pension scheme (ABP)
event.target.parentNode.classList.toggle('open'))()">
Over ons
Institute for Environmental Studies
The work will be carried out at the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM). IVM is a leading environmental research institute that is internationally recognized for its high quality research output in a range of environmental disciplines, as well as for its interdisciplinary work. The mission of the institute is to contribute to sustainable development and care for the environment through scientific research and teaching. IVM aims to do excellent problem-oriented research that is useful to a wide range of stakeholders in the Netherlands and internationally. A unique strength of our research is to understand sustainability problems in their social and economic context. IVM research community works within four departments: Environmental Economics; Environmental Policy Analysis; Environmental Geography; and Water and Climate Risk. IVM is part of the Faculty of Science at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (www.ivm.vu.nl). This position is based within the Environmental Geography department in collaboration with the Environmental Economics department. The Environmental Geography department conducts interdisciplinary research on the spatial aspects of environmental and social challenges and the solutions sustainable land use can provide to these.
Faculty of Science
Researchers and students at VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.
We work on new solutions guided by value-driven, interdisciplinary methodologies. We are committed to research, valorisation and training socially engaged citizens of the world who will make valuable contributions to a sustainable, healthy future.
Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Science? You will join undergraduate students, PhD candidates and researchers at the biggest sciences faculty in the Netherlands. You will combine a professional focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working climate, characterised by committed staff, a pragmatic attitude and engagement in the larger whole. The faculty is home to over 11,000 students enrolled in 40 study programmes. It employs over 1,600 professionals spread across 10 academic departments.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct
We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.
Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.
We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.
Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.
event.target.parentNode.classList.toggle('open'))()">
Interesse
Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application. Please ensure your application includes: a) a CV listing at the end the names and contact details of two referees; b) a 1-2 page cover letter outlining your background and how you envision your contribution to our department in terms of research.
Submitting a diploma and a reference check are part of the application process.
Selection will take place within two weeks after the deadline.
Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.
Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.
event.target.parentNode.classList.toggle('open'))()">
Jouw functie
The twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss call for thoughtful, collaborative approaches to sustainability—both in how activities unfold on the ground and in how they contribute to regional, national, and global sustainability targets. The ways people care for and relate to the land play a central role in these issues, for example through deforestation, and urbanization, but also through protection and restoration.
How can ecosystem restoration and land use practices—such as wetland restoration or agroecological farming—help nurture healthier ecosystems, support farm livelihoods, and ensure a better living environment? What spatial planning approaches best balance food production goals, environmental quality objectives, and community well-being?
Meso-level modelling (e.g. at the level of river basins or provinces) could find an answer to these questions by bridging global and local perspectives and capturing both fine-scale landscape patterns and the diverse, context-specific human decision-making processes that shape land-use outcomes. Using real-world cases, the selected candidate will investigate and model how economic incentives and behavioural drivers interact to shape land-use decisions and their consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem services. This research will help identify which policies and incentives can foster effective nature restoration, strengthen ecosystem resilience, and support sustainable food systems in a spatially explicit manner.
Your duties
- You conduct innovative research on the interactions between economic incentives, behavioural drivers, and land-use decisions at the meso-scale (e.g. river basins or regions), using clear case studies.
- You develop modelling approaches that bridge economic analysis and spatial explicit landscape level modelling.
- You analyse the consequences of land-use decisions for biodiversity, ecosystem services, and sustainable food systems.
- You identify and assess policy instruments and incentives that can foster effective nature restoration and enhance ecosystem resilience.
- You publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at international scientific conferences and workshops.
Jouw profiel
- You have a master’s degree in geography, environmental or ecological economics, environmental science, sustainability science or a related field.
- You have experience with quantitative research methodologies, including mathematical programming or scenario modelling.
- You have experience with spatial analysis and data processing, preferably ArcGIS or QGIS
- You have strong interest in linking human behaviour to land-use in the context of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
- You have affinity with interdisciplinary research and willingness to engage with both natural and social science perspectives.
- You have good communication skills in English (spoken and written).
event.target.parentNode.classList.toggle('open'))()">
Wat bieden wij
A Challenging Position In a Socially Engaged Organisation. At VU Amsterdam, You Contribute To Education, Research And Service For a Better World. And That Is Valuable. So In Return For Your Efforts, We Offer You:
- A salary of minimum € 3.059,00 (PhD salary scale 85.0) and maximum € 3.881,00 (PhD salary scale 85.3) gross per month, on a full-time basis.
- A position for 1 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year. Afterwards, the possibility of expansion for 3 years exists. The job profile is based on the university job ranking system.
- A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
- 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
- Contribution to commuting expenses
- A wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge
- Solid pension scheme (ABP)
event.target.parentNode.classList.toggle('open'))()">
Over ons
Institute for Environmental Studies
The work will be carried out at the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM). IVM is a leading environmental research institute that is internationally recognized for its high quality research output in a range of environmental disciplines, as well as for its interdisciplinary work. The mission of the institute is to contribute to sustainable development and care for the environment through scientific research and teaching. IVM aims to do excellent problem-oriented research that is useful to a wide range of stakeholders in the Netherlands and internationally. A unique strength of our research is to understand sustainability problems in their social and economic context. IVM research community works within four departments: Environmental Economics; Environmental Policy Analysis; Environmental Geography; and Water and Climate Risk. IVM is part of the Faculty of Science at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (www.ivm.vu.nl). This position is based within the Environmental Geography department in collaboration with the Environmental Economics department. The Environmental Geography department conducts interdisciplinary research on the spatial aspects of environmental and social challenges and the solutions sustainable land use can provide to these.
Faculty of Science
Researchers and students at VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.
We work on new solutions guided by value-driven, interdisciplinary methodologies. We are committed to research, valorisation and training socially engaged citizens of the world who will make valuable contributions to a sustainable, healthy future.
Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Science? You will join undergraduate students, PhD candidates and researchers at the biggest sciences faculty in the Netherlands. You will combine a professional focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working climate, characterised by committed staff, a pragmatic attitude and engagement in the larger whole. The faculty is home to over 11,000 students enrolled in 40 study programmes. It employs over 1,600 professionals spread across 10 academic departments.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct
We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.
Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.
We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.
Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.
event.target.parentNode.classList.toggle('open'))()">
Interesse
Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application. Please ensure your application includes: a) a CV listing at the end the names and contact details of two referees; b) a 1-2 page cover letter outlining your background and how you envision your contribution to our department in terms of research.
Submitting a diploma and a reference check are part of the application process.
Selection will take place within two weeks after the deadline.
Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.
Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.