Are you a broadly interested researcher with a university degree? Are you fascinated by sustainability issues and do you have experience and affinity with researching the effects of land use on climate? Then we are looking for you!

Within the team Sustainable Forest Ecosystems (SFE) of Wageningen Environmental Research (WENR), there is a need to expand capacity for research into monitoring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions and CO2 removals from land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF).

Additional to our forest research the team also conducts research into the role of land use and forest management in greenhouse gas emissions and removals in a broader context involving the whole LULUCF sector. Team members are responsible for the compilation of the national greenhouse gas inventory for the LULUCF sector in the Netherlands. For this we develop and work with geographically explicit instruments (such as models and monitoring) that can be used to determine the effects of the management or change in land use of forests, cropland, grasslands, wetlands, settlements and other land. We closely collaborate with land use and soil experts at Wageningen Environmental Research and external research institutes to bring together all required information for the LULUCF monitoring.

We use our knowledge and tools to draw up the international (Climate Convention, Paris Agreement, EU) and national (Climate and Energy Outlook) reports of greenhouse gas emissions and removals for the LULUCF sector in the Netherlands. With our science-based expertise we also support the development and evaluation of climate policy of the Dutch government and European Commission. For instance, we currently support the European Commission in drafting the methodologies for certification of carbon removals in forests, wetlands and agricultural soils (carbon farming).

Your duties and responsibilities:
As LULUCF researcher you will be involved in calculating and preparing the national GHG inventory for the LULUCF sector in the Netherlands and contribute to the projections of policies and measures for the LULUCF sector in the annual Dutch climate and energy outlook studies. You will contribute to further improving our methodologies for calculating carbon stock changes towards higher Tier levels according to the IPCC guidelines for national greenhouse gas inventories. This will involve the compilation and collection of new emission factors for carbon stock changes in living biomass, dead organic matter or soils and/or emissions of methane or nitrous oxide due to land use or land use change.

Two different profiles would match the needs in the team. The first is a more coordinating profile where you coordinate the national LULUCF inventory, make sure that all the data are brought together and take the lead in the reporting tasks, like writing reports and translate results to policy support. The second profile would be a more technical profile where you would be responsible for the improvements of several land use categories covered by the LULUCF sector and/or the further development of spatially explicit approaches and model development. You will also be responsible for delivering the data in the right format and for the QA/QC of the data. In both profiles you need to be aware of the Dutch and EU policy and legal context and understand the requirements resulting from for instance the EU LULUCF (2018/841) and Governance (2018/1999) regulations.

In both profiles you also contribute to the acquisition of new externally funded projects.
In your application, please indicate in which of the two profiles you would fit best and please motivate why this is the case.

You are / You have:

• a broad knowledge of carbon dynamics in different European ecosystems, and/or expertise in developing and applying spatially explicit approaches in land use monitoring in a European context;
• able to quickly acquire new knowledge, critically analyse it and report on it;
• an excellent networker connecting easily to colleagues working on related topics.

You also possess:

• an MSc or PhD in Forest and Nature management, Biology or similar;
• excellent data analysis skills applying R and/or Python;
• knowledge of ecological processes contributing to carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emission from land use and forestry in a European context;
• affinity with spatially explicit approaches in land use monitoring and reporting (GIS);
• affinity with object oriented programming (e.g. Java).

In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position at least English language level C1 (proficient user according CEFR) is required. Because part of the work is also done within the Dutch policy context understanding Dutch is considered a bonus.
We prefer at least 4-8 years of working experience in this field, but will also consider candidates with less working experience but with an excellent track record.

You will work here
You will be placed in the team SFE of WENR, based at the Wageningen Campus of Wageningen University & Research. You will collaborate intensively with colleagues in other teams at WENR as well as with researchers in other research institutes in the Netherlands and internationally.

You will be working in an enthusiastic team of about 24 colleagues working on options for conservation, restoration, development and sustainable use of trees and forests from an ecological perspective. We focus on the way in which policy, management and climate affect ecological processes and what their consequences are for climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation and restoration, delivery of ecosystem services and other specific policy goals.

The team offers a stimulating working environment combining first class expertise and young enthusiasm! To get a taste of the team read this: https://lnkd.in/e63_eMGt

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation hours by working more;
• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8,3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. We offer, depending on your experience, a competitive gross salary of between € 3202 and € 5949 for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 10-11). Additionally, a contract for 32 hours can be discussed. You will initially receive a one-year contract, which can be extended further if there is mutual enthusiasm and market conditions remain positive.

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a multi-faceted position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands and with your work you have a clear and positive impact on society. At WUR we work on the most pressing challenges of our time, like climate change and feeding the world in a sustainable way.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. If you come with a partner, we offer a Dual Career group program organized by our Welcome Center. This program helps your partner to get familiar with the Dutch culture, labour market and assists your partner to find a job.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

For more information about this position, please contact Eric Arets, team leader Sustainable Forest Ecosystems, telephone +31 6 10811979 or by e-mail: eric.arets@wur.nl or Sven van Baren, LULUCF researcher, telephone +31 6 34514705, sven.vanbaren@wur.nl.

For more information about the procedure, please contact Noorien Abbas, corporate recruiter, by email: noorien.abbas@wur.nl

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including 4 November 2024. We hope to schedule the first job interviews on 11 November 2024. We will assesses applications immediately and will also conduct direct interviews with suitable candidates. So it pays to respond quickly!

This is a re-opening of a similar vacancy published in July this year. Please note that if you applied to that vacancy and were not selected for an interview there is no need to try again.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.