Summary
The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) and Utrecht University are offering a fully-funded PhD position for a candidate to work on the "Reading Ecosystems from Space" project. This interdisciplinary project, part of the NWO-funded ASCENT consortium, focuses on using hyperspectral Earth Observation (EO) data to understand the impacts of nitrogen deposition on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. The successful candidate will quantify ecosystem responses in grasslands and forests, linking field measurements to remote sensing data to advance large-scale ecological monitoring.
Designation
PhD Candidate
Scholarship Details at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Institute | NIOO-KNAW and Utrecht University |
| Location | Wageningen, Netherlands |
| Contract Duration | 4 years (full-time) or 5 years (0.8 FTE) |
| Minimum Salary | €3,204 gross per month |
| Maximum Salary | €4,051 gross per month |
| Benefits | 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance, pension accrual |
| Graduate School | PE&RC (Production Ecology & Resource Conservation) |
| Preferred Start Date | January 15, 2027 |
Research Area
Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Remote Sensing, Biodiversity, Ecosystem Functioning, Nitrogen Deposition, Hyperspectral Earth Observation.
Location
Primarily at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) in Wageningen, Netherlands, with collaboration at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University.
Eligibility/Qualification
Required Qualifications:
- MSc degree in ecology or environmental sciences.
- Experience in ecological laboratory or field work.
- Experience in remote sensing.
- Strong learning mindset, actively seeking new skills and knowledge.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary consortium.
- Effective communication skills and good command of written and spoken English.
- Strong affinity for writing and presenting research results.
- Driver’s license B.
Advantageous Qualifications:
- First experience with leading and carrying out field sampling.
- First experience with chemical laboratory analysis.
Scholarship Description
This PhD scholarship is part of the ASCENT project, an NWO-funded initiative combining technological, methodological, and ecological knowledge to advance remote sensing techniques for ecological monitoring. The PhD candidate will be responsible for:
- Quantifying responses of Essential Biodiversity Variables (including plant traits and ecosystem functions) to nitrogen deposition in long-term field experiments (e.g., NutNet grasslands, Veluwe forests, Beta-For experiment in Germany).
- Linking trait and functional measurements to airborne- or satellite-collected (hyper)spectral data to understand how Earth Observation (EO) data can assess ecosystem functioning.
- Collaborating with other PhDs and postdocs to collect field data, integrate ecological and EO data, and incorporate findings into models to predict ecosystem functioning in response to global changes and management interventions.
- Publishing findings in a PhD thesis and peer-reviewed articles, and presenting at consortium meetings and international conferences.
The position offers a dynamic, interactive, and collaborative research environment within the Terrestrial Ecology department at NIOO-KNAW and the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University. The candidate will also join the PE&RC graduate school, providing access to extensive training courses.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their application via the submission portal (link below). The application must include:
- A comprehensive CV.
- A cover letter summarizing motivation and relevant experience.
- Contact details (name, address, telephone, and email) of two professional referees within the CV.
Applications submitted via email or after the closing date will not be considered. Interviews are scheduled for November 2026.
Last Date for Application
October 18, 2026
