PhD in How vegetation influences soil microbial processes and carbon cycling across scales

Original title: PhD position on how vegetation influences soil microbial processes and carbon cycling across scales

• performing laboratory experiments and field campaigns at the ICOS ecosystem station Loobos and other sites;
• quantifying soil microclimate, microbial activity, community composition and carbon cycling;
• assessing vegetation structure and functional traits using remote sensing techniques (e.g. multi- and hyper-spectral imagery, LiDAR);
• analyzing chamber and eddy covariance measurements;
• applying process-based models to integrate observations across biological and spatial scales;
• publishing your findings in international peer-reviewed journals;
• presenting your research at national and international conferences;
• contributing to teaching and supervising Bachelor's and Master’s students.
• an MSc degree in the Natural Sciences (e.g. Earth Science, Biology, Ecology, Physics) or Engineering;
• experience with modelling, quantitative data analysis and programming;
• strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• excellent written and spoken English;
• the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research team.
• remote sensing data analysis (e.g. multi- and hyper-spectral imagery, LiDAR);
• process-based carbon modelling;
• plant functional traits;
• eddy-covariance and other carbon flux measurements;
• soil microbial ecology and biogeochemistry. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t yet meet all the qualifications. If you meet the essential requirements and are excited about the project, we would be happy to receive your application.
• 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.
• a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
• a letter of motivation, outlining how the project aligns with your background and interests (max 2 pages; no AI please);
• degree certificates or equivalent (max 4 pages);
• the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation.