PhD in soil fauna supporting multifunctionality in regenerative agriculture

Are you interested in the role of soil fauna in supporting various soil functions across a range of pioneer regenerative farm systems, and also passionate about soil fauna diversity? This PhD position might be the perfect fit.

PhD in soil fauna supporting multifunctionality in regenerative agriculture

Your function

The Ecology & Evolution section at the Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE) at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is accepting applications for a PhD position focused on soil animal ecology.

Are you interested in a PhD focusing on the role of soil fauna in regenerative agriculture? Working with pioneer regenerative farmers across the Netherlands, this PhD will investigate which combinations of practices can support healthy multi-functional soil fauna communities. The project will quantify the role of soil fauna in supporting a range of soil functions for eight different regenerative agricultural business systems, working with more than 40 regenerative farms.

The research will include questions such as:

1. How do different soil fauna communities contribute to multi-functionality?
2. Can different combinations of management practices be recommended to enhance soil fauna diversity and associated multi-functionality?
3. What are the best indicators for wider monitoring of soil fauna and their functions in regenerative systems?

This PhD is one of 19 PhDs supporting the monitoring, modelling and valuing of regenerative farms in the Netherlands. This large-scale transdisciplinary project, ReGeNL, started in 2024 and will assess which combinations of practices are adopted or recommended for eight different types of regenerative agriculture systems. As part of this project, a range of regenerative agricultural systems will be monitored and modelled to understand which combinations of practices work for agricultural, socio-economic and environmental outcomes. These outcomes include soil health, water and air quality, biodiversity, and socio-economic goals such as farm income, citizen involvement and animal welfare. Moreover, performance on these outcomes will be studied in relation to how they can be valued in food system governance.

As a PhD candidate, you will support research and teaching activities within the A-LIFE section Ecology & Evolution. The role encompasses a variety of tasks including:

Your duties

• conduct field and lab research
• measurements and quantification of soil invertebrate diversity
• analyse links between soil fauna diversity and key ecosystem functions
• develop a biodiversity indicator tool
• teach in a BSc or MSc course on a topic related to the PhD

Your profile

• a completed master’s degree in a field related to the PhD project, such as biology, environmental science, agricultural science, or an adjacent field
• knowledge or experience in soil fauna community ecology, with affinity for field work
• excellent writing and presenting skills
• affinity with societal challenges in the domains of agriculture and food systems
• motivation to work in a transdisciplinary project with many project partners and farmers
• experience with or interest in quantitative research methods
• enthusiasm to work in academic teams
• Dutch proficiency or willingness to learn

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

What do we offer?

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world.

• a salary of € 3.059,00 gross per month at the start and up to a maximum of € 3.881,00 gross per month in the fourth year, based on full-time employment
• an employment contract of initially 1 year, with extension to a total of 4 years if there is sufficient perspective
• your dissertation at the end of the fourth year forms the end of your employment contract
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• contribution to commuting expenses
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge

About us

About the department

The sub-department A-LIFE / Ecology & Evolution offers a stimulating international research environment with excellent state-of-the-art facilities. Research in the department covers a wide range of fundamental and applied topics, including stress ecology, species interactions, evolutionary adaptation, symbiotic interactions, climate change and ecosystem functioning. Its strength lies in integrating studies of adaptive changes across the full range of biological organisational levels.

About the Soil Biology Group, Wageningen University and Research

The Soil Biology group integrates knowledge on soil biota across a range of scales from the microbe to the globe. The group advances and shares knowledge on how soil life can improve the quality and functioning of soils in agroecosystems around the world, and how land management may impact soil life. We are an international team of over 50 persons, with currently half being PhDs. We have excellent laboratory facilities and support for the development and implementation of soil biological methods.

Faculty of Science

Working at the Faculty of Science means collaborating with students, lecturers and researchers who are focused on their field, yet have a broad view of the world. We are proud of a positive and inclusive workplace culture within the faculty, where we work together with great energy and a pragmatic attitude to tackle social challenges. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex societal issues for a sustainable, healthy and just future.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on 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.