The environmental impact of agriculture on water quality is in the news every day. It is an important social issue with many stakeholders. People from all corners of society are therefore working to find future-proof solutions. As a PhD candidate, you too can make a contribution!
Do you get excited by scientific research with a direct application in daily practice? Do you like to regularly work in muddy boots and are you interested in applying green solutions (Nature-based Solutions) yourself? Then we have an appealing job for you!
We are looking for a PhD candidate for the EU-funded project GREENHOOD. Read on quickly below.
GREENHOOD is your project for the next 4 years! The full project name is Nutrient balance and Resource Optimisation in Regional Ecosystems through holistic, sustainable, and zero-pollution solutions. The aim is to demonstrate Nature-based Solutions for reducing nutrient losses from agricultural fields towards surface water. Your focus is on measuring and modelling effects of Nature-based Solutions, such as buffer strips along ditches, sedimentation ponds and woodchip filters for subsurface drainage systems.
As a PhD candidate, you will work with the international project team on developing new knowledge about the effects of Nature-based Solutions on water quality, based on your own measurement data. Besides the effect on nitrogen and phosphorus losses to surface water, you will investigate additional benefits such as water retention, carbon sequestration and biodiversity. You will focus on two test areas in the Dutch sandy area; the Vinkenloop in southeast Brabant and the upper reaches of the Baakse beek in the Achterhoek.
Project results include both scientific publications and policy-oriented advice. Specific tasks include:
You will work directly with the Dutch part of the project team with specialists from Deltares, KWR, WUR and UU. As a result, you will operate at the interface between applied knowledge (Deltares and KWR) and academic research (WUR and UU). But practice is also important: water boards and farmers in the pilot areas are closely involved in the research. Within the GREENHOOD project, you will exchange knowledge and results with researchers from Spain, Belgium, Finland and Norway, among others.
Supervision
You will work closely with your supervisors Dr Joachim Rozemeijer and Dr Stefan Jansen from Deltares, Dr Arnaut van Loon from KWR, Prof Dr Ir Ruud Bartholomeus from KWR and WUR and Prof Dr Stefan Dekker from UU. You will be employed by Deltares and work partly at Deltares at location Utrecht and partly at KWR in Nieuwegein.
What we offer
Interested?
Has this vacancy sparked your interest and do your qualities match the job profile? Then apply directly via the application button and upload your CV and motivation letter.
Deadline 1 November. First job interviews will take place on November 18. Do you have any questions about the vacancy? Please contact Brian de Bruin (HR Recruitment Officer; sollicitatie@deltares.nl; +31(0)88 335 8438).
Preferable starting date: 1 January 2025 (end date: 31 December 2029).