PhD Student for the MEIODYSSEA project

Job Information

Organisation/Company: Naturalis
Research Field: Physics
Researcher Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2)
First Stage Researcher (R1)
Country: Netherlands
Application Deadline: 15 Mar 2024 - 22:59 (UTC)
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Not Applicable
Hours Per Week: 36.0
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Not funded by an EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: No

Offer Description

This project investigates the relationship between taxonomic and functional diversity in diverse meiofaunal communities across the shallow marine ecosystems of the Pacific, with a focus on areas in Indonesia, Japan, and New Caledonia. The aim of the project is to determine whether functional redundancy increases with taxonomic diversity and how these aspects of meiofaunal communities change across both small-scale (shallow to deep water) and large-scale (subtropical to tropical) environmental gradients. The project will broaden the understanding of marine meiofauna diversity and the resilience of marine communities in the face of environmental changes.

This project includes extended fieldwork in Japan, Indonesia, and New Caledonia. The successful candidate will be an integral part of the Meiodyssea consortium, with strong collaborative links with partner institutes IFREMER in France, Senckenberg in Germany, and JAMSTEC in Japan.

The successful candidate will use a combination of morphological methods (including measurements and micro-CT scanning) and molecular techniques (such as DNA (meta)barcoding, transcriptome, and genome sequencing) to identify meiofaunal species and understand their functional profiles. Communities will be examined to determine if and how their taxonomic and functional composition and redundancy shift in response to environmental gradients.

The PhD candidate will become a member of the Marine Biodiversity group at Naturalis, and will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Willem Renema and Dr. Jan-N. Macher. The candidate will receive the PhD degree at the University of Amsterdam.

Requirements

Specific Requirements

The candidate must have an MSc degree in Biology with a strong interest in marine biodiversity. Preferably, the candidate has experience in basic molecular methods, such as DNA (meta)barcoding and community ecology, and an affinity with taxonomic work. Excellent knowledge of the English language (written and verbal) is essential, as well as a scientific and critical attitude, outstanding time management and organisational skills, and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within the project consortium and the Naturalis research group Marine Biodiversity. The candidate should have good communication skills and be enthusiastic to contribute to knowledge dissemination and outreach activities within the project.

Additional Information

Benefits

A contract (36 hours per week) for a period of one year, to be extended with three more years after a successful first year evaluation, and a monthly starting salary of € 3,187.- gross. Additionally, the PhD candidate gets an allowance for travel expenses, holiday allowance (8%) and year-end bonus (3.4%). The starting date is preferably May 2024. The successful candidate will be employed by Naturalis in Leiden. Naturalis Biodiversity Center offers an inspiring working atmosphere with effective and efficient supervision of our PhD candidates. Our Research Coordination Office also provides ample support to our scientific staff. Our institute promotes gender equality and wants to enhance the diversity of staff members.

Selection process

Applicants are invited to submit their application in one pdf, including a cover/motivation letter (max. 2 pages) and CV (max. 3 pages) and the names and contact details of two referees. Please use this form for your application no later than 15 March 2024.

Naturalis endorses the Cultural Diversity Code. In the case of equal suitability, preference is given to the candidate who reinforces diversity within the team.

Additional comments

Feel free to contact Willem Renema (willem.renema@naturalis.nl) and Jan Macher (jan.macher@naturalis.nl) with questions about the position.

For procedural questions related to the application please contact HR: sollicitaties@naturalis.nl.