PostDoc: European perspectives on peatland ecosystem services.

Peatlands are typically viewed, used, studied and managed country-by-country across Europe. This country-specific perspective on peatlands originates from large differences in peatland-formation, peatland-stocks, peatland-use and the role of peatlands in European cultures and traditions. These differences between European countries affect the impacts of rewetting and climate change on specific peatland ecosystem services: water purification, water regulation, and climate regulation. You will identify and conceptualize, based on structured expert assessments, the diversity in European perspectives on the ecosystem services provided by peatlands.

Your duties

• Conduct structured interviews with researchers and stakeholders from Northern European countries
• Publish results in scientific papers and datasets
• Work closely together within the VU-Peatland research team
• Work closely together within the international project team of ECOWADE
• Take part in field and departmental tasks
• Participate in education of Earth-science and Alife departments

• PhD in Ecosystem services, environmental sciences or comparble
• Excellent English language proficiency both in speech and in writing
• Pro-active and organizing attitude
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary research team
• Experience or affinity to teach and supervise student projects

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

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 meet all the requirements.

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of minimum € 3.378,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 5.331,00 (Scale 10) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• a almost 3-year (34 months at 1 fte) position for at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will initially start with a 1 year contract and will be extended with another 2 years when both employee and employer are satisfied with the position and performance.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• hybrid working enables a good work-life balance
• space for personal development
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

About the project
Hydrology impacts the functioning of Peatlands’ ecosystem services, and such an overview is currently lacking at the European scale. The ECO-WADE project will explore these links through case studies across european countries, focusing on three critical aquatic ecosystem services Water Purification, Water Regulation, and Climate Regulation. You will activelyy interact with all project partners and stakeholders from the participating countries.

Faculty of Science
Researchers and students at VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.

We work on new solutions guided by value-driven, interdisciplinary methodologies. We are committed to research, valorisation and training socially engaged citizens of the world who will make valuable contributions to a sustainable, healthy future.

Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Science? You will join undergraduate students, PhD candidates and researchers at the biggest sciences faculty in the Netherlands. You will combine a professional focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working climate, characterised by committed staff, a pragmatic attitude and engagement in the larger whole. The faculty is home to over 11,000 students enrolled in 40 study programmes. It employs over 1,600 professionals spread across 10 academic departments.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application. For more information about the vacancy you can contact Ype van der Velde (ype.vander.velde@vu.nl), or Liam Heffernan (w.heffernan@vu.nl)

Submitting a diploma and a reference check are part of the application process.

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.