Part-time Postdoc position: “Understanding population change of sanderling in the Wadden Sea”

17 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research

Research Field

Environmental science » Earth science
Environmental science » Ecology
Agricultural sciences » Other
Biological sciences » Other
Computer science » Other
Environmental science » Other

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

1 Mar 2024 – 22:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Part-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The department of Coastal Systems (COS) at the Royal Netherlands Institute of Sea Research (NIOZ-Texel) is looking for a highly motivated postdoc candidate with a background in behavioral ecology of sanderling to investigate variation in population change, habitat use and migration ecology. This position is part of the project “Waakvogels” which aims to better understand the effects of management measures in the Wadden Sea by studying the demographics and movements of six migratory bird species, each being characteristic for a specific habitat.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of COS studies integral coastal ecosystems and their populations of fish, birds, and other marine animals in the North and Wadden Seas as well as on a global scale. The department focusses on key physical, chemical and biological processes that determine the productivity and the ecological functioning of coastal areas. The coastal system is studied as a unity by considering the interrelations between the key compartments of the ecosystem (water, sediment, microalgae, macrozoobenthos, parasites, fish and birds). The welcoming atmosphere at NIOZ will provide ample opportunity for collaborations.

THE PROJECT

The Wadden Sea UNESCO world heritage site is an immensely important hub for migratory birds that use this area to spend the winter or for fuelling during migration. Several bird populations show declines, likely connected to human-induced global change. The project Waakvogels, administered by BirdEyes-Centre for Global Ecological Change at the University of Groningen (www.birdeyes.org ), aims to better understand these changes by studying the demographics and movements of six migratory bird species. The latest technological possibilities in the field of bird tracking (i.e. satellite transmitters, WATLAS trackers), Remote Sensing Earth observations and field measurements are used to document habitat use in connection to the deterioration of ecosystems, intensive agriculture, industry and climate change. Knowledge is also gained about the effect of recovery measures on bird populations.

THE POSITION

The overarching aim within this postdoc project is to understand the increase in population size of Sanderling in the Dutch Wadden Sea. Several sub-aims are to investigate what role the increased availability of shrimp play in the population increase, how important the Wadden Sea is and what habitat sanderling use, and when birds arrive and depart the Wadden Sea. Another aspect in the project is to understand how disturbance on North Sea beaches affects sanderling. Within this project, long-term colour-ring resighting will be combined with high resolution tracking data and resource sampling.

THE CANDIDATE

Applicants must have a PhD in avian ecology and experience with animal behaviour and/or (migration) ecology, experience with handling large data sets, the analysis of animal movement data, survival analysis, and resource sampling are a pre. Because the successful candidate will have large amounts of tracking data available, strong statistical, analytical and computational skills are advantageous. Practical experience with field work is critical. The successful candidate is also expected to have good collaborative skills.

The candidate can start before summer 2024. 

We want to be a transparent institute with a healthy working climate and an inclusive culture, where people from diverse backgrounds and gender bring their talents and further develop these talents. We aim for inclusive decision-making processes and expect our leadership to show visible commitment, awareness of bias, and cultural intelligence.

CONDITIONS

• Employment of this position for 20 hours a week at Royal NIOZ is by NWO-I for a duration of 4 years.
• Salary compliant with CAO-WVOI   (Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Research Institutes) scale 10 or 11 depending on relevant experience.
• The freedom to fulfill your role and space and opportunities for your personal (talent) development with the help of the NIOZ Academy.
• 338 annualized holiday hours for a full-time 40-hour work week.
• Pension scheme via ABP, 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.33%.
• 2nd class public transportation travel is reimbursed 100%.
• Employment benefits plan to exchange a portion of your salary for days off or vice versa, or can be used to purchase a bicycle with tax benefits.
• We offer relocation expenses for employees coming from abroad and support with finding accommodation.

For additional information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Allert Bijleveld . For additional information about the procedure, please send an e-mail to [email protected]

Closing date for this vacancy is March 1st. We aim to invite suitable candidates for an interview on 13th  March, 2024

Requirements

Research Field

Environmental science

Years of Research Experience

4 – 10

Research Field

Environmental science

Years of Research Experience

4 – 10

Research Field

Agricultural sciences

Years of Research Experience

4 – 10

Research Field

Biological sciences

Years of Research Experience

4 – 10

Research Field

Computer science

Years of Research Experience

4 – 10

Research Field

Environmental science

Years of Research Experience

4 – 10

Additional Information

Website for additional job details

https://academicpositions.com

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research

Country

Netherlands

City

Den Helder

Postal Code

1797 SZ

Street

Landsdiep 4

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://academicpositions.com/ad/nioz-royal-netherlands-institute-for-sea-resea…

Contact

City

Den Helder

Website

https://workingat.nioz.nl/

Postal Code

1797 SZ

STATUS: EXPIRED