PostDoc: European perspectives on peatland ecosystem services.

Peatlands are typically viewed, used, studied and managed country-by-country across Europe. This country-specific perspective on peatlands originates from large differences in peatland-formation, peatland-stocks, peatland-use and the role of peatlands in European cultures and traditions. These differences between European countries affect the impacts of rewetting and climate change on specific peatland ecosystem services: water purification, water regulation, and climate regulation. You will identify and conceptualize, based on structured expert assessments, the diversity in European perspectives on the ecosystem services provided by peatlands.

Your duties

• Conduct structured interviews with researchers and stakeholders from Northern European countries
• Publish results in scientific papers and datasets
• Work closely together within the VU-Peatland research team
• Work closely together within the international project team of ECOWADE
• Take part in field and departmental tasks
• Participate in education of Earth-science and Alife departments

Requirements:

• PhD in Ecosystem services, environmental sciences or comparble
• Excellent English language proficiency both in speech and in writing
• Pro-active and organizing attitude
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary research team
• Experience or affinity to teach and supervise student projects

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Salary Benefits:

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of minimum € 3.378,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 5.331,00 (Scale 10) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• a almost 3-year (34 months at 1 fte) position for at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will initially start with a 1 year contract and will be extended with another 2 years when both employee and employer are satisfied with the position and performance.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• hybrid working enables a good work-life balance
• space for personal development
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

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