Doctoral scholarship holder Greenhouse gas balance of tidal and riverine wetland ecosystems

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The Department of Biology in the Faculty of Sciences is looking for a full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship holder in the field of Greenhouse gas balance of tidal and riverine wetland ecosystems

Position

• Background: Tidal and riverine wetlands are highly valued ecosystems, among others for nature-based climate mitigation through the sequestration of CO₂ into carbon in the wetland vegetation and wetland soil. However, many wetland areas have been historically converted in human land use, leading to the loss of the CO₂ sequestration function. Nowadays, projects are carried out to (re-)create tidal and non-tidal wetlands, such as in the Schelde river basin (Belgium) through the Flemish Sigmaplan (https://www.sigmaplan.be/en). Yet it remains to be proven how efficient such newly created wetlands are for mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, as they can be a sink for CO₂ but also a potential source for CH₄ and/or N₂ This will be the key research question addressed in this PhD project.
• The position: You will work on a 4-year PhD position, investigating the carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas balance across different types of tidal and non-tidal wetland restoration projects located in the Schelde river basin (Sigmaplan). You will build on experience in the research group (see below) on (1) field measurements of greenhouse gas fluxes using flux chambers, (2) field sampling and lab analyses to quantify rates of carbon sequestration into soils and vegetation, and (3) geospatial upscaling of results to estimate the carbon and greenhouse gas balance of created wetlands across the whole Schelde river basin. You will work on field sampling, lab analysis, data processing, the writing of scientific publications, and preparation of a PhD thesis, with the final aim to obtain a PhD degree from the University of Antwerp. To a limited extent, you could contribute to academic teaching, for instance, assisting with practical classes.
• Research group: Together with several other PhD students and post-doc researchers, you will work within an internationally oriented, multidisciplinary team of environmental scientists, within the Centre of Excellence on Global Change Ecology of the University of Antwerp (https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/research-groups/global-change-ecology/) and the Ecosphere research group (https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/research-groups/ecosphere/).  You will be guided by Prof. Stijn Temmerman and Prof. Ivan Janssens and other experienced researcher in the team, in close collaboration with colleagues from other research institutes, including KULeuven, VUB and INBO.

Profile

• We are looking for a highly-motivated candidate with a MSc degree in Biology, Ecology, Bio-Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Geology, Physical Geography, Earth Sciences, or related disciplines. Or you will have obtained this MSc degree by the time you start the position (targeted start data 1 September 2025), meaning that MSc students planning to graduate before 1 September 2025 are encouraged to apply for this PhD position.
• The candidate should have a keen interest in designing experiments, setting up and carrying
• out challenging field work in wetland environments, and be able to analyse complicated
• data. Good statistical knowledge and experience with geo-spatial analysis techniques is a
• benefit.
• Prior knowledge on wetland ecosystem functioning, and particularly on carbon and greenhouse gas fluxes, are a key benefit to start this PhD project, but not an absolute prerequisite.
• Candidates should be capable of planning and organizing their own work independently, to
• organize and carry out field experiments, and meet deadlines imposed by the project.
• The candidate should be open and communicative, and keen on interacting with both end-users and interdisciplinary research team members.
• The candidate should be inspired by frontier-applied research, where fundamental knowledge is developed, in order to provide a knowledge base for end users.
• Good English oral and writing skills are demanded, as the candidate is expected to publish the findings in scientific journals and effectively communicate results to end-users.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.

What we offer

• We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of one year, which after positive evaluation will be extended to a total period of four years.
• The planned start date is the 1st of September 2025.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders.
• You will receive ecocheques, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• You will do most of your work at Campus Drie Eiken in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including June 1 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments: a motivation letter, your CV, and contact information of max. 2 reference persons.
• The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to [email protected]. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Prof. Stijn Temmerman, e-mail: [email protected].

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.