PhD position in practical implementation of nature-based solutions

Sport Society; Utrecht; On-site; EUR 34,138 - 43,311; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8% holiday pay

8.3% year-end bonus

Pension scheme

Partially paid parental leave

Flexible terms of employment

Job summary

Sport Society in Utrecht is offering a PhD position focused on implementing nature-based solutions (NbS) for climate-resilient coastal zones. This role involves conducting innovative research, engaging stakeholders, and studying sediment dynamics.

The position is for 1 year, extendable to 4 years, with a gross monthly salary between €3,059 and €3,881. Candidates should hold a Master's degree in a relevant field and have excellent English skills.

Qualifications

• Experience with field sampling, monitoring, lab work, and experiments.
• Skills to engage effectively with stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently in an interdisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Conduct fieldwork, lab analyses, and experiments to study sediment dynamics.
• Develop models and maps to assess NbS impact.
• Engage with stakeholders for social acceptance.

Skills

Planning and undertaking fieldwork

Experience with GIS mapping

Basic data analysis skills in R, Python, or Excel

Problem-solving

Excellent written and spoken English (C1 level)

Education

Master’s degree in coastal geomorphology, environmental engineering, sedimentology, hydrology, earth sciences, environmental science, civil engineering, physical geography, or environmental governance

Job description

PhD position in practical implementation of nature-based solutions

This PhD project will tackle the pressing challenge of creating and adapting climate-resilient coastal zones through nature-based solutions (NbS). As sea levels rise and coastal areas sink, traditional flood defenses are no longer enough.

To have successful NbS projects (specifically sediment based NbS – such as sedimentation enhancing strategies), we need to identify and overcome major practical challenges in their implementation. This includes the physical capabilities of NbS to create and maintain new land and ecosystems, the usability of these new areas for different purposes, possibilities for integration with existing grey infrastructure and how NbS projects are practically implemented with stakeholders (including successes and challenges).

You will explore critical challenges faced by NbS namely: 1) delivery of sediment and spatial patterns of sedimentation, 2) quality of sediment delivered and possibilities for other land uses, 3) synergy with existing infrastructure and 4) social acceptance of NbS.

The types of NbS considered are salt marshes, tidal mudflats, and retention basins, which have the capacity to create land, buffer flooding, and store water while delivering ecological and societal benefits. Examples include the Rammegors wetland, the Perkpolder and Wisselpolders.

Your research will focus on understanding the role of extreme events in shaping coastal landscapes, including the importance of storm delivered sediment in annual land building and whether storm surge barriers can hinder or enhance this process.

It will further assess the quality and suitability of deposited sediments, which are hypothesized to preferentially trap macro and micro plastics and heavy metals – potentially making them unsuitable areas for long-term habitat development or too low soil quality for agricultural land.

The project will investigate how NbS can integrate with existing infrastructure like storm surge barriers. Can these projects reduce the pressure on existing infrastructure? Can they work in synergy or are there trade-offs in terms of hydro and morpho dynamics?

Finally, after physical conditions have been considered, you will evaluate the social feasibility of implementing solutions in real-world settings, working closely with partners like the Delta Climate Center and local stakeholders.

Methods will include fieldwork and analysis of sampled data, experiments at the Metronome (our world-renowned tilting tidal flume at Utrecht University) and stakeholder workshops.

We also aim to set up a citizen science project in collaboration with colleagues at the Hogeschool Zeeland to monitor storm-driven sediment delivery as part of the project.

Responsibilities

• Conduct fieldwork, lab analyses, and experiments to study sediment dynamics and NbS effectiveness.
• Develop models and maps to assess the suitability and impact of NbS in coastal zones.
• Engage with stakeholders to understand social acceptance and long-term feasibility.
• Publish in peer-reviewed journals, present at conferences, and contribute 10% of your time to teaching.
• Apply your Master’s degree in coastal geomorphology, environmental engineering, sedimentology, hydrology, earth sciences, environmental science, civil engineering, physical geography, environmental governance (or related field).

Required skills

• Planning and undertaking fieldwork.
• Experience working with field sampling, monitoring, lab work, experiments.
• Experience with GIS mapping.
• Basic data analysis skills in R, Python, or Excel.
• Skills and interest to engage effectively with different groups (policy, stakeholders, etc.).
• Problem-solving.
• Ability to work independently as part of an interdisciplinary research team.
• Excellent written and spoken English (C1 level).

Useful additional skills

• Interest in multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research.
• Interest in integrating natural and social sciences approaches for holistic solutions.
• Experience with stakeholder engagement.

Our offer

• A position (1.0 FTE) for 1 year, with an extension to a total of four years upon successful assessment in the first year, with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period.
• A working week of 36-40 hours and a gross monthly salary between €3,059 and €3,881 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU)).
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus.
• A pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

Utrecht University values staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.