Key Skills

Job Description

Your job Are you intrigued by interactions between vegetation and fire? Are you passionate about lab-, field-, and remote sensing-based research? Do you like solving scientific puzzles? We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate to explore how moss traits affect fire ignitability in high-latitude ecosystems. Northern ecosystems, including boreal peatlands and tundra, are warming faster than almost anywhere else on Earth, which is changing their structure and functioning. Permafrost thaw and increasing fire frequency threaten to turn these ecosystems from carbon sinks into carbon, further accelerating climate change. Bryophytes (including mosses) dominate the vegetation across much of these carbon-dense ecosystems. Because of their unique water-retention and insulating properties, they largely determine how susceptible these regions are to severe wildfires. This PhD project examines the relationship between bryophyte functional traits and fire dynamics at the plant, ecosystem, and biome scales, combining lab experiments, fieldwork, and remote sensing. Building on the PEN research line on vegetation-climate feedbacks, your work will advance our understanding of the functional role of bryophytes in fire dynamics and help improve fire risk assessments for these vulnerable systems. Your Duties And Responsibilities Include Developing methods and designing and executing experiments to test moss ignitability Conducting fieldwork in high-latitude ecosystems, including vegetation surveys, monitoring environmental conditions during and after fires, and possibly drone-based observations Analysing remote sensing data and global vegetation databases Publishing your research in peer-reviewed journals and presenting it at national and international conferences Co-supervising BSc and MSc students You will work here The research is embedded within the Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation group, (https://www.wur.nl/en/research-results/chair-groups/environmental-sciences/plant-ecology-and-nature-conservation-group.htm) specifically within the Vegetation-Climate Feedbacks team. You will be co-supervised by Dr. Thomas Janssen, Dr. José van Paassen and Dr. Juul Limpens. Your qualities You are a candidate with strong experimental skills, and conduct research responsibly. You work independently to find solutions for research challenges, while staying in communication with the team. You enjoy working with multiple project partners to efficiently arrange field and lab work. You Also Possess A successfully completed MSc degree in ecology, environmental sciences, climate studies or a related field Affinity and experience with experimental design of lab- and/or field experiments Excellent organizational and communicational skills Excellent English language skills, both written and spoken Experience with fire-related research is a plus For this position your command of the English language is expected to be minimally at C1 level (https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/table-1-cefr-3.3-common-reference-levels-global-scale). Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here (https://www.wur.nl/en/education/phd-programme/admission-requirements). We offer Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment (https://www.wur.nl/en/jobs/conditions-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 € 3.204,- per month rising to € 4.051,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (https://www.universiteitenvannederland.nl/en/collective-labour-agreement-of-dutch-universities) (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. We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help. You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. 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. Wageningen University & Research's International Community (https://www.wur.nl/en/jobs/expats-new-international-staff) page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center (https://wcfv.nl/en/home/global/our-services/happy-landing-and-living/) can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account, dual career programs 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. Important information For more information about the position, please contact Thomas Janssen via email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or José van Paassen via email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]). Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jessa Rozema, Corporate Recruiter, via [email protected]. Ready to apply? You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered. To apply, please send the following documents (max. 3 pages in total ): Complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages); Motivation letter (max. 1 page) outlining why you are the best candidate for this position. The maximum length of the documents must not exceed 3 pages. If it exceeds, applications will not be considered. Additional files such as grades and transcripts are not required during this stage and will not be considered. You can apply up to and including 2 November 2026. The first interviews are scheduled for 19 November 2026 (online) and the second round on 26 November 2026 (in person, if possible). Additional Information Form For this position, you must fill in a mandatory form which will allow us to have a comprehensive view of your qualifications and better assess your fit for it. You can access the form using the link below: PhD: Moss traits and fire ignition in high-latitude peatland & tundra ecosystems – Fill out form (https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/vsquJAb1eG) Your prompt response will ensure that your application continues to move forward in the evaluation process. We assure you that the information provided will be kept confidential and used solely for this application process. Welcome, safe, and valued Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization. We are The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines. Read the 5 reasons (https://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs/Why-choose-WUR.htm) why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus! We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

Core Responsibilities

Design and conduct experiments investigating how moss traits affect fire ignitability, and carry out fieldwork in high-latitude ecosystems, including vegetation surveys and environmental monitoring. Analyze remote sensing data and vegetation databases, publish and present research, and co-supervise undergraduate and master's students.

Requirements

Applicants must have a completed MSc in ecology, environmental sciences, climate studies, or a related field, along with experience or affinity for designing laboratory and/or field experiments. They should have strong organizational, communication, and independent problem-solving skills, excellent spoken and written English at a minimum C1 level, and the ability to collaborate with project partners; fire research experience is an advantage.

Benefits

• Partially Paid Parental Leave
• Flexible Working Hours
• Campus Sports Facilities
• Year-End Bonus
• Pension Scheme
• Fully Funded PhD Position
• Tailored Training Program
• Immigration and Visa Application Support
• International Staff Welcome Support
• Potential Tax Exemption