PhD Position: Understanding Hydrological Impacts of Mountain Greening

The department of Physical Geography is searching for a PhD candidate who will investigate the impact of mountain greening on hydrology from an ecological perspective.

Your job

The "GRAIT2" project aims to understand the impacts of mountain vegetation change on hydrology from a plant traits and ecological perspective. It combines knowledge and approaches from mountain hydrology and (palaeo)ecology.

You will employ a trait-based ecohydrological approach to quantify the impacts of different mountain species and traits, seasonal/annual greening variations, and greening mechanisms on the mountain water balance. To achieve this, you will conduct field and remote sensing studies in a small mountain catchment in the Swiss Alps and assess the hydrological effects of plant traits by conducting experiments in the Utrecht University Botanic Gardens. To evaluate the effects of different mountain plants and greening processes on hydrological processes, you will integrate your findings with a physically-based ecohydrological model at both plot and catchment scales.

You will collaborate closely with your supervisors, other researchers from the department, and international collaborators.

In support of academic and personal development, PhD candidates will participate in courses and assist in teaching Earth Sciences at both Bachelor's and Master's levels. Collectively, these activities will comprise twenty percent of the contracted time.

Your qualities

We look forward to your application if you have the following qualifications:

• an MSc degree in physical geography or a related field;
• passion for mountains, climate, water and plants;
• experience in plant (trait) measurements, field experiments, numerical modelling, and (UAV) remote sensing is highly preferable;
• ability to perform mountain fieldwork in challenging conditions;
• excitement and curiosity to think and work across disciplinary boundaries;
• excellent English oral and writing skills, and willingness to learn Dutch.

Our offer

We offer:

• a position for one year, with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
• a working week of 36 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,770 and €3,539 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. 

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

About us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

The team of the department of Physical Geography excels in research and education on BSc, MSc and PhD levels. We research processes, patterns and dynamics of Earth’s systems from the mountains to the sea, and the interaction in between. This knowledge is essential for the sustainable management of our planet and to guarantee the availability of resources for the next generations. We are a lively department that hosts an active early career community (PhD candidates, researchers and lecturers) and offer a warm welcome for every new member.

More information

For more information, please contact Dr Philip Kraaijenbrink (Assistant professor in quantitative methods in extreme environments) at P.D.A.Kraaijenbrink@uu.nl or Dr Jana Eichel (Assistant professor in biogeomorphology) at j.eichel@uu.nl

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Apply now

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value 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.

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation, via the ‘apply now’ button.

If you have an international (not Dutch) Master's diploma you will be requested to send your Bachelor's and Master's diplomas and grade lists (in English).

We aim to have interviews on 13 May 2024. The first round can be online via MS Teams. The preferred starting date is 1 September 2024.

The application deadline is 5 May 2024.