PhD position: Sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) as a robust tool for river science

Are you keen on investigating how Holocene rivers functioned and which life they sustained? Are you enthusiastic about exploring new approaches? We are looking for a PhD candidate who will strengthen our team!

Europe's ambitious new nature restoration law aims to rehabilitate 25,000 kilometers of rivers for conservation by 2030. Centuries of human intervention have profoundly transformed river and stream landscapes, disrupting their natural dynamics. To identify truly ‘natural’ and resilient river systems, we must look to the past—examining the sedimentary record of rivers.

In natural rivers, life plays a far greater role in shaping physical processes compared to human-modified streams, yet our understanding of these interactions remains limited. This project leverages newly developed sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) to provide unprecedented insights into past abiotic-biotic relationships in past rivers and floodplains. Like any new and cutting-edge method, it is crucial to validate it. This is especially important in dynamic environments such as rivers.

As a PhD candidate your aim is to – for the first time - gain insights into how DNA gets transported and deposited, and how this is then represented in the fluvial sedimentary record. This will be done using a nested catchment approach, and include sampling water, freshly deposited, and Holocene sediments.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• developing a research proposal;
• conducting field research in several European river catchments ;
• investigate sediment and DNA transport and sedimentation;
• analyse sedimentary (ancient) DNA datasets from modern and Holocene sediments;
• understand under which environmental conditions sedimentary DNA is preserved;
• writing multiple scientific publications and practitioner-oriented publications;
• the scientific publications will be part of a PhD dissertation;
• presenting at conferences and events for different audiences;
• teaching (10% of your time).

You will work here
Your PhD research will be embedded within the Soil Geography & Landscape group, as part of a larger research focus on nature-based solutions to support future climate-resilient landscapes. Ancient DNA work will be performed in cooperation at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and the University of Vienna. Part of your job is to integrate aDNA and geomorphological data.

This environment gives you all opportunities to develop new skills and kick-start your academic career. You will be supervised by dr. Annegret Larsen (WUR) and dr. Benjamin Vernot (MPI / Vienna). You will be mostly working in Wageningen, but short stays in Leipzig or Vienna might be considered. This position is part of a NWO-Vidi (VI.Vidi.233.161) granted to Annegret Larsen. Another PhD position on a related topic will be advertised in December 2025.

Requirements:

You have:

• a completed (or about to be completed) MSc degree in Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Archaeology, Genetics (including aDNA), or Bioinformatics;
• a keen interest in molecular biology and the integration of genetic data with geomorphological data;
• preferably experience in fluvial geomorphology;
• preferably some experience with the interpretation or inference of ecosystem state through environmental DNA / sediment DNA (sedaDNA);
• creativity and intrinsic motivation for pursuing a PhD project.

You also possess:

• affinity with pursuing fieldwork in Europe;
• interest and ability to work independently as well as in an interdisciplinary team with scientists from various disciplines and with some (societal) stakeholders;
• collaborative and organizational skills;
• strong writing skills and English language proficiency.

The English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.

Salary Benefits:

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• Partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.

The gross salary for the first year is € 2.901,- per month rising to € 3.707,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. We can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

40 hours per week

Droevendaalsesteeg