Postdoctoral researcher, Marine biodiversity impact assessment

Key responsibilities

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to support the Horizon Europe project BAMBOO (Biodiversity and trade: mitigating the impacts of non-food biomass global supply chains). This project is carried out in collaboration with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and several other European partners. The project combines trade, environmental impact and integrated assessment models to develop scenarios for transformative change towards biodiversity protection. This position will focus on developing an impact assessment method for marine eutrophication impacts on functional diversity. This research is at the forefront of biodiversity impact assessment, where marine ecosystems are underrepresented and functional diversity is a novel, complementary biodiversity metric.

Selection Criteria

These six criteria are essential for a prospective applicant:

• A PhD degree (or about to receive one) in a relevant field, e.g., environmental sciences, biology, industrial ecology, or similar
• A strong interest in biodiversity
• Well-developed analytical and programming skills (e.g. R)
• A good publication record
• Proficiency in spoken and written English as well as good communication skills
• A team player and the ability to take initiative

Any of these criteria are highly valued:

• Experience with developing impact assessment methods
• Experience with meta-analyses
• Experience with spatial analyses
• Knowledge of functional diversity

We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team, welcoming applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. Your unique perspectives will enrich our research and foster a collaborative and innovative environment.

Research at our faculty

Leiden University is situated between Amsterdam (36 km) and The Hague (15 km) and was founded in 1575, making it the oldest university in the Netherlands. It houses around 35,000 students originating from 112 nationalities, facilitated by approximately 8,000 staff.

The Institute of Environmental Science (CML) at Leiden University offers a vibrant and supportive community of scientists committed to the challenges of sustainability. CML distinguishes itself for its attention to professional development in coordination with the interests of its scientists. As such, there are plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, expand your knowledge, collaborate across disciplines, and experiment in a friendly environment fully embodying academic freedom across all career levels.

The core focus of CML is to perform research and education in the interdisciplinary field of Environmental Sciences. CML focuses on the sustainable use of natural resources and preservation of natural capital and biodiversity. CML has a culture of mutual support and collaboration between researchers. CML has two Departments: Industrial Ecology (CML-IE) and Environmental Biology (CML-EB). Presently, about 140 fte (including postdocs and PhDs) are employed at CML. CML further collaborates with TU Delft and Erasmus University in the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Centre for Sustainability (LDE-CfS), and with the Naturalis Biodiversity Centre.

The Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) is positioned in the Faculty of Sciences. The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are committed to expanding fundamental knowledge by curiosity and looking beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science and to make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future. The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organized in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelor’s and twelve master’s programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2.800 staff and almost 6000 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together.

Terms and conditions

We offer a 1-year position following the pay scale 10 in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. Salary ranges from € 3,345.- to € 5,278.- gross per month based on a full-time position. Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3%), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break.

Working hours are flexible: as a standard, you are entitled to 232 hours leave days on the basis of a full-time working week of 38 hours; you can also save for extra leave, for example by working 40 hours a week, and in this way accrue an extra 96 leave hours, or exchange 96 leave hours for a 36-hour week.

If your work allows it, hybrid working is possible within the Netherlands.

Diversity

At the Faculty of Science, we value inclusiveness and strive for a diverse community with equal opportunities for all. We give full support to our staff in achieving their potential to become independent academic researchers and teachers. For more information about our policy on diversity and equality please go to the diversity page on our website. Female researchers are also welcome to join the Researchers In Science for Equality network of the Faculty of Science (rise.nu).