The Postdoc researcher will work in the project ‘Action plan for ecosystem-based land-sea transition zones [WADWAD]’ funded by the Dutch NWO and the German BMBF. The research team is international and transdisciplinary. Associate professor Frans J. Sijtsma is the Principal Investigator for the University of Groningen work package in the WADWAD project. This work package focuses on the socio-ecological evaluation of future scenarios for land-sea transition zones in the Wadden area.

The work package evaluates from both an ecological and a broad social perspective different long-term land-sea transition zone plans and scenarios using the evaluation method Multi-Criteria Cost-Benefit Analysis (MCCBA). Creating new land-sea transition zones has serious societal impacts (on for instance safety, fisheries, transport routes, scenic appreciation) while it will also affect biodiversity and ecology: key aspects of the Universal Outstanding Value of the Wadden Sea. The postdoc will develop the land-sea transition zone scenarios to be used as inputs for the MCCBA and perform the estimates of the impacts, both on the socio-economic side and the ecology side. This evaluation method includes the use of nature points. Nature points are ecologically weighted hectares: they are a systematic area and ecosystem-based measuring rod for ecological quality changes. While the system of nature points is well-established and has been applied practically in various cases it is not yet available for the Trilateral Wadden Sea. The postdoc will lead and organize the activities needed to create the building blocks for the nature points calculations. The postdoc will report and engage in discussions and deliberations with stakeholders about the evaluation results, and the postdoc will write scientific articles.

Organisation
The Postdoc researcher will be hosted by the Faculty of Spatial Sciences (FSS), Department of Economic Geography, of the University of Groningen. FSS is a dynamic faculty with an open character. With approximately 100 employees and 100 PhD researchers, we focus on highly qualified education and research in the field of planning, demography and human geography. With two bachelor's degrees and seven master's programmes, the faculty offers broad training opportunities to around 1,100 students from all over the world.

We are looking for candidates with

- A PhD in one of the social sciences or environmental sciences or in a multidisciplinary field like ecological-economics or environmental-economics.
- Some experience or a strong interest in evaluation methods. Ease and capacity to do scientific work with stakeholder participation.
- Excellent skills in quantitative research related to the work packages - including GIS.
- Strong conceptual thinking. A proactive and independent work attitude.
- Ability to collaborate in a research team and to take the lead in organizing collaborative work.
- Fluency in English; knowledge of Dutch and German or willingness to learn (some) Dutch or German.
- Willingness to attend conferences and consortium meetings abroad.

Fixed-term contract: 36 months.

The University of Groningen offers a salary, depending on qualifications and work experience, with a minimum of € 4,020 and a maximum of € 4,340 (salary scale 10 Dutch Universities) gross per month for a full-time position. On top of that income, you will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an annual bonus of 8.3%. The conditions are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU). This full-time appointment as Postdoc researcher is temporary for 3 years. You will first be appointed for a period of 12 months. After a positive evaluation, the contract will be extended for the remaining part of the project.

Starting date is 1 February 2025