Postdoc on Reconciling Food Systems Sustainability and Biodiversity Conservation

Are you interested in research that supports transformative change towards sustainable food systems and biodiversity conservation? Then this postdoctoral position at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam may be for you.

Postdoctoral position on reconciling food systems sustainability and biodiversity conservation

The postdoctoral researcher will work within the international research project emBrace, funded under the Biodiversa+ programme. The position is embedded in the integration work package of the project and plays a central role in analytically, conceptually, and operationally connecting the empirical work in the project. You will combine land-use modelling, conceptual and historical analysis, and cross-work-package synthesis with support to project coordination and management. The work is highly interdisciplinary, linking participatory scenario development, socio-ecological systems assessment, and knowledge integration across 4 European case studies.

Your duties

• you develop and apply land-use modelling approaches to explore the implications of nature-centred future scenarios developed in the project, translating qualitative visions into spatially explicit outputs
• you conduct a critical historical and conceptual analysis of protected areas, with a specific focus on the emergence and implications of multifunctionality in conservation and land-use governance
• you collaborate with the project partners towards making the case studies comparable
• you provide day-to-day assistance for the coordination of the project and facilitate collaboration with other researchers of the international emBrace project consortium
• you support project tasks and dissemination, including project meetings, conferences, and deliverables
• you publish high-impact, peer-reviewed research in international scientific journals

Your profile

• you have a PhD in geography, or a social or environmental related discipline
• you have a strong research profile, supported by a track record of peer-reviewed publications as well as the ability to initiate and complete original research
• you have experience with or a strong interest in land-use modelling, scenario analysis, or spatial socio-ecological assessments
• you have the ability to help coordinate teamwork, and conduct transdisciplinary work with local stakeholders
• you have excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• you have excellent written and oral command of English. Proficiency in Spanish and French would be valuable
• you are available to start the position on September 1st 2026 at the latest, preferably earlier

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 fully meet all the requirements.

What 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 position for at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year. Afterwards, the possibility of expansion exists
• attractive fringe benefits and regulations, including contribution to commuting expenses, an optional model for designing a personalized benefits package, and access to sports facilities at a modest charge

About 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 its research is understanding sustainability problems in their social and economic context. The 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. This position is based within the Environmental Geography 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.

About the 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. The faculty offers a positive workplace culture where people work together with energy and a pragmatic attitude to tackle social challenges. Scientists and students work on fundamental and complex societal issues for a sustainable, healthy and just future.

About Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. It brings together open-minded experts who work across disciplines on sustainable solutions with social impact, creating a safe and respectful working and study climate and an inspiring environment for education and research.