Do you like working with large datasets? Always wanted to develop sophisticated population models? The department of Theoretical and Computational Ecology is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to study the impact of body weight on the survival and reproduction of an Arctic migrant, dark-bellied brent goose using a long-term dataset.
Postdoc Brent Goose Demographic Analysis in Waakvogels (Sentinel Birds) Project
- Faculty of Science
- 13996
- PhD
- €3.378 - €5.331
- 31 - 38 hours
- Closes on31-05-2025
Do you like working with large datasets? Always wanted to develop sophisticated population models? The department of Theoretical and Computational Ecology is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to study the impact of body weight on the survival and reproduction of an Arctic migrant, dark-bellied brent goose using a long-term dataset.
Postdoc Brent Goose Demographic Analysis in Waakvogels (Sentinel Birds) Project
- Faculty of Science
- 13996
- PhD
- €3.378 - €5.331
- 31 - 38 hours
- Closes on31-05-2025
Working at the UvA
About the position
Breeding in the high Arctic, dark-bellied Brent geese winter along the coasts of Western Europe. Historically these birds used to feed in winter on sea grass but decline of sea grass in mid-20th century forced them to start feeding on agricultural land. In the last years restoration projects led to some recovery of sea grass in Europe. The importance of sea grass for brent geese in the modern European landscape is however unknown. Working with ringing data, data on juvenile proportions in flocks in autumn, and body weight data from goose catches, you will develop population models to investigate how adult survival and/or reproductive success, and ultimately population dynamics, depend on the birds’ main feeding habitat, mediated by their body weight. You will be working under supervision of Dr. Eldar Rakhimberdiev (demography, modelling) and Prof. Bart Nolet (goose ecology and conservation). You will closely collaborate with the brent geese PhD candidate who focuses on tracking and migration of brents.
The postdoc will be part of larger research team of five PhD candidates and several postdoctoral researchers within the Waakvogels (sentinel birds) project (https://waakvogels.nl). This overarching project focuses on demography and movement of the five characteristic bird species in the Wadden Sea – brent goose, red knot, sanderling, bar-tailed and black-tailed godwits and spoonbill. Utilizing different habitats in the Wadden Sea these species are the indicators of the current conditions in the Wadden Sea. Using both long-term demographic data and advanced tracking of these species the project aims at developing a near-real time ecological monitoring tool for Wadden Sea ecosystems.
Working at the UvA
About the position
Breeding in the high Arctic, dark-bellied Brent geese winter along the coasts of Western Europe. Historically these birds used to feed in winter on sea grass but decline of sea grass in mid-20th century forced them to start feeding on agricultural land. In the last years restoration projects led to some recovery of sea grass in Europe. The importance of sea grass for brent geese in the modern European landscape is however unknown. Working with ringing data, data on juvenile proportions in flocks in autumn, and body weight data from goose catches, you will develop population models to investigate how adult survival and/or reproductive success, and ultimately population dynamics, depend on the birds’ main feeding habitat, mediated by their body weight. You will be working under supervision of Dr. Eldar Rakhimberdiev (demography, modelling) and Prof. Bart Nolet (goose ecology and conservation). You will closely collaborate with the brent geese PhD candidate who focuses on tracking and migration of brents.
The postdoc will be part of larger research team of five PhD candidates and several postdoctoral researchers within the Waakvogels (sentinel birds) project (https://waakvogels.nl). This overarching project focuses on demography and movement of the five characteristic bird species in the Wadden Sea – brent goose, red knot, sanderling, bar-tailed and black-tailed godwits and spoonbill. Utilizing different habitats in the Wadden Sea these species are the indicators of the current conditions in the Wadden Sea. Using both long-term demographic data and advanced tracking of these species the project aims at developing a near-real time ecological monitoring tool for Wadden Sea ecosystems.
All about this vacancy
What are you going to do?
You are expected to take a lead in demographic dataset assembly and analysis. The dataset consists of several decades of ring resightings, obtained by volunteers, juvenile counts in family groups upon arrival from the breeding grounds, and body weights from goose catches. The challenge will be to develop an integrated (integral projection) population model that accounts for individual variation in, for instance, body weight into account. You can (but not necessarily) take part in the field work on the Wadden islands.
Tasks and responsibilities:
- conducting independent research in animal demography and conservation resulting in academic publications in peer-reviewed international journals;
- lead communication with data providers;
- field work (optional);
Your profile
Your experience and profile:
- PhD in ecology, wildlife conservation, applied statistics or similar;
- committed researcher, demonstrated by publications in international refereed academic journals and academic publishers;
- You know the field of capture-recapture analysis;
- You like coding and modelling;
- You are ready to live in the Netherlands and work in Amsterdam.
Our offer
We offer a temporary employment contract for 31-38 hours per week for a period for a period of 12 months, with the possibility to the extend the contract for another 6 to 10 months upon a positive evaluation of your performance. The preferred starting date is 1 September 2025, but can be earlier or later. For this position the University Job Classification profile Researcher 4 applies. The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 3,378 to € 5,331 (scale 10). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.
Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:
- 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
- multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
- a complete educational program for PhD students;
- multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
- multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
- 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
- partly paid parental leave;
- the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
- a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
- the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
- help with registration at UvA-Housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.
Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.
All about this vacancy
What are you going to do?
You are expected to take a lead in demographic dataset assembly and analysis. The dataset consists of several decades of ring resightings, obtained by volunteers, juvenile counts in family groups upon arrival from the breeding grounds, and body weights from goose catches. The challenge will be to develop an integrated (integral projection) population model that accounts for individual variation in, for instance, body weight into account. You can (but not necessarily) take part in the field work on the Wadden islands.
Tasks and responsibilities:
- conducting independent research in animal demography and conservation resulting in academic publications in peer-reviewed international journals;
- lead communication with data providers;
- field work (optional);
Your profile
Your experience and profile:
- PhD in ecology, wildlife conservation, applied statistics or similar;
- committed researcher, demonstrated by publications in international refereed academic journals and academic publishers;
- You know the field of capture-recapture analysis;
- You like coding and modelling;
- You are ready to live in the Netherlands and work in Amsterdam.
Our offer
We offer a temporary employment contract for 31-38 hours per week for a period for a period of 12 months, with the possibility to the extend the contract for another 6 to 10 months upon a positive evaluation of your performance. The preferred starting date is 1 September 2025, but can be earlier or later. For this position the University Job Classification profile Researcher 4 applies. The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 3,378 to € 5,331 (scale 10). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.
Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:
- 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
- multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
- a complete educational program for PhD students;
- multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
- multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
- 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
- partly paid parental leave;
- the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
- a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
- the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
- help with registration at UvA-Housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.
Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.
Your place at the UvA
About us
The Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) is one of eight research institutes of the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam. The research at IBED aims to unravel how ecosystems function in all their complexity, and how they change due to natural processes and human activities. At its core lies an integrated systems approach to study biodiversity, ecosystems and the environment. IBED adopts this systems approach to ecosystems, addressing abiotic (soil and water quality) and biotic factors (ecology and evolution of plants, animals, and microorganisms), and the interplay between those. The IBED vision includes research encompassing experimental and theoretical approaches at a wide variety of temporal and spatial scales, i.e. from molecules and microorganisms to patterns and processes occurring at the global scale. The University of Amsterdam has excellent high performance computing facilities. Furthermore, IBED has a dedicated computational support team with specialized knowledge of bioinformatics, (geo)database management and scientific programming and high performance computing and AI. IBED also works with non-academic partners to deliver transdisciplinary science for society.
The position will be based in the Department of Theoretical and Computational Ecology. Research in the Department of Theoretical and Computational Ecology focuses on understanding the complexity of ecological systems by using theoretical and advanced computational approaches. The postdoc will become a part of the Amsterdam Movement Ecology Group consisting of 4 staff members (Prof. Judy Shamoun-Baranes, Prof. Bart Nolet, Dr. Emiel van Loon, and Dr. Eldar Rakhimberdiev) and multiple postdoctoral researchers and PhD students. You will also become a part of the Prof. Nolet’s group at the Netherlands Institute for Ecology (NIOO).
Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.
Organisational unit
The University of Amsterdam is ambitious, creative and committed. An inspiration to students since 1632, a vanguard player in international science and a partner in innovation.
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest range of courses on offer. An intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 staff and 3,000 PhD students. Connected by a culture of curiosity.
Your place at the UvA
This is where you will be working
About us
The Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) is one of eight research institutes of the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam. The research at IBED aims to unravel how ecosystems function in all their complexity, and how they change due to natural processes and human activities. At its core lies an integrated systems approach to study biodiversity, ecosystems and the environment. IBED adopts this systems approach to ecosystems, addressing abiotic (soil and water quality) and biotic factors (ecology and evolution of plants, animals, and microorganisms), and the interplay between those. The IBED vision includes research encompassing experimental and theoretical approaches at a wide variety of temporal and spatial scales, i.e. from molecules and microorganisms to patterns and processes occurring at the global scale. The University of Amsterdam has excellent high performance computing facilities. Furthermore, IBED has a dedicated computational support team with specialized knowledge of bioinformatics, (geo)database management and scientific programming and high performance computing and AI. IBED also works with non-academic partners to deliver transdisciplinary science for society.
The position will be based in the Department of Theoretical and Computational Ecology. Research in the Department of Theoretical and Computational Ecology focuses on understanding the complexity of ecological systems by using theoretical and advanced computational approaches. The postdoc will become a part of the Amsterdam Movement Ecology Group consisting of 4 staff members (Prof. Judy Shamoun-Baranes, Prof. Bart Nolet, Dr. Emiel van Loon, and Dr. Eldar Rakhimberdiev) and multiple postdoctoral researchers and PhD students. You will also become a part of the Prof. Nolet’s group at the Netherlands Institute for Ecology (NIOO).
Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.
Organisational unit
The University of Amsterdam is ambitious, creative and committed. An inspiration to students since 1632, a vanguard player in international science and a partner in innovation.
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest range of courses on offer. An intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 staff and 3,000 PhD students. Connected by a culture of curiosity.
Important to know
Your application & contact
If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the ‘Apply’-button on the vacancy’s webpage. We accept applications until and including 31 May 2025.
Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file):
- a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
- a letter of motivation;
- a list of publications;
Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered. A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure for details: national knowledge security guidelines). We will invite potential candidates for interviews soon after the closing date.
Do you have any questions, or do you require additional information? Please contact:
Eldar Rakhimberdiev, Assistant Professor in Animal Environment Interactions, [email protected]
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.
Important to know
Your application & contact
If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the ‘Apply’-button on the vacancy’s webpage. We accept applications until and including 31 May 2025.
Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file):
- a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
- a letter of motivation;
- a list of publications;
Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered. A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure for details: national knowledge security guidelines). We will invite potential candidates for interviews soon after the closing date.
Do you have any questions, or do you require additional information? Please contact:
Eldar Rakhimberdiev, Assistant Professor in Animal Environment Interactions, [email protected]
As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.
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