You will use the data collected in the project and existing data to model and project the impacts of extreme weather events on soil C cycling. These outcomes will inform farmers’ decisions as well as local and national policy makers, and you will have the opportunity to communicate and visualise these results to a wider audience. You will also assist in general project related tasks, such as finalising data collection in collaboration with the project team, project planning, and communicating project outcomes with stakeholders (farmers, local governments, policymakers, industry). You will give significant input to the scientific direction of the final analysis and modelling of project data, and you will write reports to the funder in a timely and efficient way. You will communicate results via presentations and publications in leading journals. You will determine the priorities of these activities in close consultation with the project PI. 

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Use project data and other types of data to take a lead in modelling and projecting the impacts of extreme weather on soil C cycling;
• Actively read the literature relating to (and around) the project and plan and manage your own tasks;
• Take a leading role in communication with stakeholders;
• Show willingness to contribute to the work of others in the lab by offering practical and intellectual help, including technical staff and post-graduate students;
• Contribute to the running of the Plant-Soil Ecology research group, by attending and taking an active part in group meetings, and give presentations when asked, and occasionally organize lab meetings;
• Supervise BSc and MSc students if and when requested.

You have completed a PhD on a subject related to soil C cycling and plant-soil interactions, and you have experience in analysing data and mechanistic and statistical modelling of processes relevant to soil C cycling. You have an in-depth understanding of linkages between plants and soil microbes and how they respond to changing conditions. You can work to a high level of independence, but you also like working in a team, and you effectively incorporate feedback and different perspectives in your work. 

Your experience and profile:

• PhD in Ecology, Soil Science, or Environmental Sciences, or a related discipline;
• A thorough understanding of linkages between plants, microbial communities, their activities, and environmental parameters, and how they link to C cycling process;
• Excellent computational, analytical and statistical skills, including proficiency in the use of programming languages such as R and python;
• Experience in analysing large and complicated datasets, preferably including geospatial data;
• Experience in, or strong affinity with, mechanistic and statistical modelling;
• Publication record appropriate to stage of career including recent first authored research publications in internationally recognised peer-reviewed journals;
• Ability to present information in an accurate and appropriate format, and to communicate effectively with a range of groups including scientists and stakeholders
• Good written and spoken English;
• Effective interpersonal skills and ability to work with colleagues at all levels
• You value a diverse team and are willing to contribute to our inclusive and collaborative working culture.

We offer a temporary employment contract for 30.4 to 38 hours per week for a period of 18 months. The preferred starting date is the 1st of March 2026. For this position the University Job Classification profile Researcher 4 applies. If proven suitable for the job and unchanged financial and organizational circumstances, the contract can be extended for 6 months. The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 3,546 to €5,538 (scale 10). In addition, you will receive a 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.