2 PhD candidates, Ecotoxicity Impact

The Faculty of Science, Institute of Environmental Sciences is looking for:

2 PhD candidates, Ecotoxicity impact assessment for biodiversity and ecosystem services (1.0 fte)
Vacancy number: 13996

Key responsibilities
Tens of thousands of chemicals are released into Europe’s environment. Such anthropogenic chemicals can have various harmful effects on wildlife and can result in reductions in ecosystem functioning and ecosystem service flows. To address these challenges, we are looking for 2 PhD candidates to support the recently granted Horizon Europe project TerraChem (From soils to apex species: chemical pathways, effects and impacts on terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystem services and applications for better chemicals management). This new project will be carried out in collaboration with several European partner institutions. The project will integrate environmental monitoring, modelling, data management, and analytical tools. These two positions will focus on developing impact assessment models for ecotoxicity impacts on terrestrial functional diversity and ecosystem services.

Selection Criteria

• A Master degree in a relevant field, e.g., ecotoxicology, environmental sciences, biology, industrial ecology, or similar
• A strong interest in academic research and environmental sustainability
• Well-developed analytical skills
• Programming skills (e.g. R or other languages) are an advantage
• For one of the two positions, experimental and laboratory skills would be an asset
• Proficiency in spoken and written English as well as good communication skills
• A team player and the ability to take initiative

Research at our faculty
The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are driven by curiosity to expand fundamental knowledge and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future.

The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organised in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelor’s and twelve master’s programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2,800 staff and almost 6,000 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together.

The Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) is positioned in the Faculty of Sciences. The core focus of CML is to perform research and education in the interdisciplinary field of Environmental Sciences. CML has two Departments: Industrial Ecology (CML-IE) and Environmental Biology (CML-EB). Presently, about 150 fte (including postdocs and PhDs) are employed at CML. CML collaborates with the TU Delft and Erasmus University in the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Centre for Sustainability (LDE-CfS), Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, and other partners.

For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science and https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at. Information about CML can be found at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science/environmental-sciences.

Terms and conditions
We offer a 1-year position with the possibility of extension to 4 years based on performance. Salary ranges from € 2.770.- gross per month in the first year to € 3.589 gross per month in the fourth year based on a full-time position (pay scale P in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break.

Diversity
Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.

Information
Enquiries can be made to Dr. Laura Scherer (l.a.scherer@cml.leidenuniv.nl) and Henrik Barmentlo (s.h.barmentlo@cml.leidenuniv.nl).

Applications
To apply for this vacancy, please use the button. Please ensure that you upload the following additional documents quoting the vacancy number:

• CV
• Motivation letter
• The names and phone numbers of two referees

We will consider applications submitted before or on 10 September 2023.

Interviews will take place on 20 September between 10 AM and 5 PM Central European Time. You are kindly requested to be available on this date.