PhD position: modelling the impact of light at night on urban food webs - NIOO-KNAW - Wageningen

We are looking for a PhD candidate to join a project on aquatic–terrestrial coupling of trophic interactions in urban ecosystems. The project focuses on understanding how environmental changes, particularly artificial light at night (ALAN) and temperature, reshape ecological interactions across ecosystem boundaries. The research will combine ecological theory, mechanistic modelling, empirical data integration, and communication across disciplines.

Ecosystems are increasingly understood as interconnected meta-systems in which flows of energy, organisms, and matter cross traditional habitat boundaries. Aquatic insects, such as chironomids and mosquitoes, play a key role in linking aquatic and terrestrial food webs through their complex life cycles. Yet current ecological models often stop at the water surface and do not adequately capture these cross-ecosystem interactions.

In this PhD project, you will develop and integrate spatially explicit aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem models to investigate how urban stressors influence trophic linkages between under- and above-water food webs. You will extend existing aquatic ecosystem models such as PCLake with insect life-cycle dynamics and connect these with models describing airborne insect movement, aggregation, and predation by bats.

The project combines theoretical model development with empirical parameterisation and validation using field observations, monitoring datasets, laboratory experiments, and automated ecological observations. The work will involve close collaboration with ecologists inside and outside NIOO, experts in ecosystem modelling, and empirical researchers across ecological domains.

You will also contribute to communicating complex ecological concepts and modelling outcomes to interdisciplinary scientific audiences. We therefore value candidates who enjoy bridging scientific perspectives and who are motivated to connect theory, modelling, and empirical ecology.

What you will be contributing

We are looking for a candidate with a strong interest in ecological modelling and cross-disciplinary ecological research. You see challenges as opportunities to learn, remain resilient when faced with setbacks, and you enjoy finding creative solutions in a dynamic research environment. You are intellectually curious, capable of working independently, and motivated to bridge aquatic and terrestrial ecology through both conceptual and quantitative approaches.

You have:

• a completed MSc degree in ecology, environmental sciences, systems biology, quantitative biology, earth sciences, or a related field;
• demonstrated affinity with ecological modelling, quantitative ecology, or systems analysis and an interest in connecting empirical ecology with theoretical and mechanistic modelling;
• programming experience, for example in R, Python, or similar languages;
• strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• an excellent command of spoken and written English and good communication skills with the ability to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries;
• the capacity to independently develop research ideas and take ownership of project components;

Experience with ecosystem modelling, spatial analysis, Bayesian/statistical modelling, handling large ecological datasets and automated outdoor data collection is considered an advantage, but motivation and willingness to learn are equally important.

What do we offer?

We offer a fully funded four-year PhD position within a stimulating and collaborative research environment at NIOO-KNAW. You will become part of a team working at the interface of ecological theory, modelling, and empirical research, with opportunities to collaborate widely within and beyond the institute.

The position offers substantial freedom for intellectual development and encourages independent thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration. You will have opportunities to develop advanced quantitative and modelling skills, contribute to high-impact ecological research, and present your work at international conferences and workshops. You will be supervised by experienced researchers and work in close collaboration with other PhD candidates and postdocs within the NIOO. Besides that, NIOO offers various training opportunities and a collegial atmosphere.

Your workplace

The PhD candidate will be embedded within NIOO-KNAW, the Netherlands Institute of Ecology, an international research institute dedicated to understanding how ecosystems function and respond to environmental change. The project aligns with NIOO’s research themes on biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable use of land and water.

You will work in close collaboration with researchers specialising in ecosystem ecology, urban ecology, ecological modelling, and animal behaviour.