PhD Position: Sustainability Assessment of Paludiculture

Would you like to contribute to the development of nature-based solutions? Then come and join us as a PhD Candidate, exploring the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of paludiculture, the productive use of wet or rewetted peatlands.

The research is embedded in the European project Paludi4All, which focuses on the socioeconomic and environmental aspects of paludiculture implementation. As a niche innovation, it needs to be further developed and upscaled to realise its potentials. Together with researchers in the sister project PaluWise, which focuses on large-scale demonstration of paludiculture, we aim to build a collaborative, interdisciplinary team to advance research and practical solutions in the paludiculture field.

As a PhD candidate in the environmental science group at Radboud University, you will focus on method development in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and consistent application of LCA methodologies to biomass-based products from paludiculture. You will assist in data collection, based on which you will analyse environmental impacts such as biodiversity loss and climate change, in various areas in Europe. Depending on your interests, the project can focus more on spatially-explicit upscaling of impacts and/or exploring trade-offs of environmental impacts and sustainability indicators.

You will work closely with project partners from around Europe, contribute to project deliverables, and participate in project meetings, relevant conferences and workshops. You will have the opportunity to further develop and improve your skillset by attending courses offered by the Graduate School of the Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Science and other institutes. You will communicate your findings through publications in peer-reviewed journals. Part of your workload (10%) will consist of teaching activities at our institute, assisting staff members in their courses at the MSc level (in English) and supervising thesis research.

Profile

• You should hold an MSc in one of the environmental, natural or engineering sciences, in which you have acquired knowledge and skills in life cycle assessment, and preferably also in broader sustainability topics.
• You have analytical modelling skills, motivation and good communication skills. You especially have a good command of oral and written English.
• You enjoy working in interdisciplinary teams.
• Experience with environmental or spatial modelling and data analysis is a plus.

We are

As a PhD candidate, you will be appointed at the Department of Environmental Science and work closely together with the Ecology Department of the Radboud Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences. The main focus of the Environmental Science department at the Faculty of Science is on quantifying, understanding and predicting human impacts on the environment. In our research, we cover multiple pressures, species and spatial scales, searching for overarching principles that can ultimately be applied to better underpin environmental management and biodiversity conservation.

Radboud University

At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Will you also contribute to making the world a little better? You have a part to play.

Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science (FNWI), part of Radboud University, engages in groundbreaking research and excellent education. In doing so, we push the boundaries of scientific knowledge and pass that knowledge on to the next generation.

We seek solutions to major societal challenges, such as cybercrime and climate change and work on major scientific challenges, such as those in the quantum world. At the same time, we prepare our students for careers both within and outside the scientific field.

Currently, more than 1,300 colleagues contribute to research and education, some as researchers and lecturers, others as technical and administrative support officers. The faculty has a strong international character with staff from more than 70 countries. Together, we work in an informal, accessible and welcoming environment, with attention and space for personal and professional development for all.

We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract (1.0 FTE) of 1,5 years, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, your contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4-year contract).
• You will receive a starting salary of €2,872 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, which will increase to €3,670 in the fourth year (salary scale P).
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Support Service. The Dual Career Programme assists your partner via support, tools, and resources to improve their chances of independently finding employment in the Netherlands. Our Family Support Service helps you and your partner feel welcome and at home by providing customised assistance in navigating local facilities, schools, and amenities. Also take a look at our support for international staff page to discover all our services for international employees.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

Additional employment conditions

Work and science require good employment practices. Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions reflect this. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself. For example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports membership. And, of course, we offer a good pension plan. We also give you plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.