Employment 0.8 - 1.0 FTE

Gross monthly salary € 2,770 - € 3,539

Required background Research University Degree

Organizational unit Faculty of Arts

Application deadline 16 June 2024

Are you intrigued by the world of early modern merchants? And are you wondering how they made and justified business decisions? Do you want to delve into preserved 'letter books' and uncover the norms and customs guiding their decisions? Apply now as a PhD candidate at the Radboud Institute for Culture & History (RICH)!

We offer you the opportunity to develop and carry out your own PhD project within the areas of expertise of your supervisors: Dr Joris van den Tol, Dr Sanne Muurling and Prof. Jan Kok. The project will be funded by a Starters Grant from the Faculty of Arts awarded to Dr Joris van den Tol.

‘Institutions,’ Nobel laureate Douglas North wrote, ‘are the humanly devised constraints that structure political, economic, and social interaction’ (North 1991). Institutions can be formal (e.g. laws, constitutions, property rights) or informal (e.g. taboos, traditions, norms, or customs). To answer the questions why early modern merchants made certain choices and how they shaped, negotiated and used informal institutions, this project studies the representations of European merchants’ norms and values in their correspondence.

Traditionally, merchants’ correspondence has been used by historians to reconstruct mechanisms of trust within an economic network (Lamikiz 2017; Wubs-Mrozewicz 2020; Trivellato 2009). Moreover, there has been a tendency to focus on merchants with more or less complete archives such as Marco Datini in Italy (ca. 1335-1410) or Simon Ruiz in Spain (1558-1598), or on correspondences captured as part of prize papers. This project, instead, prefers to focus on preserved ‘letter books’ or ‘copy books’ of lesser known or sometimes even unidentified merchants. This project looks beyond mechanisms of trust and studies sets of merchants’ practices and decisions described in their correspondence to unearth their informal institutions such as norms or customs.

The research may be performed through a diachronic and/or geographical comparison, depending on your preferences and skillset. Several promising ‘letter books’ of seventeenth-century merchants have already been identified in case you can read Dutch, but you are welcome to propose your own source base for other European languages. The material from correspondences can be supplemented with other material such as legal proceedings, notarial deeds or pamphlets. You will be encouraged to draw inspiration from recent advances in digital research methods, which have allowed historians to ask new types of questions about merchants and their way of thinking using similar types of source material (Puttevils 2021; Hermans 2023).

Profile

• You hold an MA degree in Early Modern Economic or Social History, or a closely related discipline with a solid basis in History.
• You have demonstrable affinity with the Early Modern Period.
• You have demonstrable experience with Early Modern archival sources.
• You have experience with digital research methods or are willing to acquire the skills necessary to employ these digital research methods.
• You have proven ability to conduct independent academic research as part of a team and work in an international and competitive environment.
• You are fluent in spoken and written English and the language of your proposed sources.
• You are willing to perform teaching and service duties.

We are

As a PhD candidate at the Radboud Institute for Culture & History (RICH), you will be part of the Graduate School for the Humanities (GSH).

RICH and Research Group

The Economic, Social and Demographic History (ESDG) research group is a dynamic and very social group with broad interests, enthusiastic researchers and lecturers with outstanding track records and successful in attracting national and international research grants. ESDG is part of the Radboud Institute for Culture and History (RICH) which is dedicated to understanding the dynamics of an interconnected world and how they evolve and interact at the regional, national, international, and transnational levels. The candidate will find an additional welcoming and interdisciplinary home in the research group TEMPUS, which focuses on the Early Modern Period.

Radboud University

At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Will you also contribute to making the world a little better? You have a part to play.

If you want to learn more about working at Radboud University, follow our Instagram account and read stories from our colleagues.

Faculty of Arts The Faculty of Arts is committed to the development of knowledge with a strong scientific and social impact. With over 500 academic and support staff, we teach and conduct research in the fields of art, history, language, culture and communication, using innovative methodologies and collaborating closely across disciplines. Our research is embedded in two research institutes: the Centre for Language Studies (CLS) and the Radboud Institute for Culture & History (RICH). Approximately 2,500 students are currently enrolled with us across our three departments: the Department of History, Art History and Classics, the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures and the Department of Language and Communication. The faculty is characterised by a pleasant and open culture with various opportunities for the professional development of our staff.

We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract (0.8 FTE 5- year contract - 1.0 FTE 4- year contract) of 1,5 years, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, your contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4-year contract) or 3.5 years (5-year contract).
• You will receive a starting salary of €2,770 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, which will increase to €3,539 from the fourth year onwards (salary scale P).
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Support Service. The Dual Career Programme assists your partner via support, tools, and resources to improve their chances of independently finding employment in the Netherlands. Our Family Support Service helps you and your partner feel welcome and at home by providing customised assistance in navigating local facilities, schools, and amenities. Also take a look at our support for international staff page to discover all our services for international employees.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

Additional employment conditions

Work and science require good employment practices. Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions reflect this. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself. For example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports membership. And, of course, we offer a good pension plan. We also give you plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Practical information and applying

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Prof. Jan Kok. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application.

The first interviews will take place on 11 July.  Any second interview will take place on 18 July.  You will preferably start your employment on 1 September 2024.

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates.

Employment 1.0 FTE

Gross monthly salary € 2,770 - € 3,539

Required background Research University Degree

Organizational unit Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies

Application deadline 31 May 2024

Are you a highly motivated aspiring junior researcher? Would you like to work on the history of philosophy in the Islamic world? Do you want to develop your own innovative research ideas as a key member of a research team? The Center for the History of Philosophy and Science (CHPS) of the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies at Radboud University is looking to appoint two PhD candidates for the duration of four years. One postholder will conduct research on Avicenna’s engagement with the generation of his teachers (PhD project 1) and the other on Avicenna’s engagement with the generation of his own students (PhD project 2).

You will join the research team of Dr Andreas Lammer and work closely with him, with another PhD Candidate, and with a postdoctoral researcher, contributing to the ERC Starting Grant project “Avicenna Live: The Immediate Context of Avicenna’s Intellectual Formation” (ALIVE).

You will produce original research either on the contents of a unique manuscript containing the philosophical works of one of Avicenna’s teachers and investigate whether and how the views of his teacher differed from and/or influenced the formation of Avicenna’s own philosophy (PhD project 1) or on a collection of ’Discussions’ which Avicenna had with his own students and study whether and how these discussions may have contributed to reformulations and/or revisions in Avicenna’s later works (PhD project 2).

Both PhD-projects, as well as the ERC project as a whole, aim at recalibrating our perception of Avicenna’s intellectual development through the examination of widely neglected or indeed entirely unknown source texts. Together we will revise the common understanding of Avicenna’s philosophy as the monolithic outcome of a steadfast genius and probe the possibility that Avicenna was integrated in a rich and dynamic culture of debate such that his philosophy, in light of the discussions he had with his teachers and students, bears the marks of development.

As part of your individual project, you will independently read and investigate source texts in their original Arabic language, investigate them in terms of their relation to Avicenna’s main works, and also provide English translations of sections of your source texts as part of your analysis. It is essential that you are able to read Classical Arabic texts and have a good active command of the English language in speech and writing. Knowledge of the history of (late) ancient philosophy, especially the Aristotelian tradition, or medieval philosophy is highly recommended. Knowledge of Avicenna’s philosophy is not immediately required but would obviously be particularly helpful.

As part of the position, which also comes with a yearly travel allowance to participate in academic events and disseminate the results of your own research, you will closely collaborate with the other members of the team in various research, dissemination and outreach activities, as well as organise an academic event yourself in collaboration with the team. This research position carries no teaching obligations.

Other than that, your research will be embedded within the Center for the History of Philosophy and Science (CHPS), an internationally recognised research unit at Radboud University. You will therefore also actively take part in CHPS’s analogous initiatives. CHPS is a particularly cohesive research group. Its members gather daily in a friendly, informal and intellectually lively environment. They share their research in work-in-progress meetings, and they co-teach, co-publish, and co-organise conferences and workshops. PhD supervision within the centre is of high quality, not in the least because of the close and friendly interaction between supervisors and supervisees.

Profile

• You hold a Master’s degree in the History of Philosophy, the History of Science, Islamic Studies, Arabic Studies, or a related discipline. (If the degree has not yet been obtained at the time of application, an additional statement by your current supervisor should confirm that it will be obtained by the time of appointment).
• You have good or very good skills in reading and translating Classical Arabic texts.
• You have a very good command of English, both spoken and written.
• You have a background in the history of ancient, late ancient, and/or medieval philosophy, and ideally also of Avicenna’s philosophy in particular.
• You have philosophical acumen, solid analytical skills, strong historical interests, and philological sensitivity.
• You are an autonomous researcher with excellent communication and organisational skills, who also likes to work in a team.
• You are active, ambitious and eager to help provide a new paradigm for all future studies of Avicenna.

We are

ALIVE is a new research project within the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious studies funded by a starting grant from the European Research Council (ERC). It seeks to explore a unique set of essential yet hitherto widely neglected source texts for the immediate context of the intellectual development of Muslim polymath Avicenna (Ibn Sīnā, d. 428/1037) and to offer a new digital approach to the study of diverse and difficult textual corpora.

The Center for the History of Philosophy and Science (CHPS) brings together historians of philosophy and historians of science in a single teaching and research unit. CHPS’s core research interests focus on the interplay between philosophical and scientific thought from Antiquity to the 21st century, also addressing the important questions that these themes raise for contemporary philosophers.

Radboud University

At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Will you also contribute to making the world a little better? You have a part to play.

If you want to learn more about working at Radboud University, follow our Instagram account and read stories from our colleagues.

Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies Staff and students in the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies reflect on the great challenges of our time, exploring concepts, belief systems and worldviews. In this way they provide philosophical and religious context to the societal debate and contribute to the analysis and solution of major societal challenges. The faculty has over 180 staff, organized in eight academic departments and four support departments. Our academics collaborate in six research centres and teach more than 1,000 students.

Our staff and students are committed. The lines of communication are short and each individual student and staff member is given ample attention. You can find more about our mission and vision on the 'About PTRS' page.

We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract (1.0 FTE) of 1,5 years, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, your contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4-year contract).
• You will receive a starting salary of €2,770 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, which will increase to €3,539 in the fourth year (salary scale P).
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Support Service. The Dual Career Programme assists your partner via support, tools, and resources to improve their chances of independently finding employment in the Netherlands. Our Family Support Service helps you and your partner feel welcome and at home by providing customised assistance in navigating local facilities, schools, and amenities. Also take a look at our support for international staff page to discover all our services for international employees.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

Additional employment conditions

Work and science require good employment practices. Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions reflect this. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself. For example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports membership. And, of course, we offer a good pension plan. We also give you plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Practical information and applying

Address your letter of application to Andreas Lammer. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application. All documents need to be in English.

The first interviews will take place on 14 June. Any second interview will take place on 24 June. You will preferably start your employment on 1 September 2024.

We can imagine you’re curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates.

KICK-START YOUR CAREER IN INTEGRATED PHOTONICS

Do you have great passion for advances in Integrated Photonics? Do you enjoy working in collaborations between businesses and universities and creating value for our society? The University of Twente can offer you that opportunity!

The largest concentration of scientists and engineers in the Photonics research area you will find at the University of Twente. Different expertise’s work together in research and development of photonic chips, development of microscopic techniques and application of nano-photonics in sensing, manufacturing, and imaging. To give you a flavor of what we are doing, in this cluster, researchers are for example engaged in research into photonic crystals in which light can be trapped, unbreakable security solutions based on quantum physics, advanced mirrors for the chip industry and extremely precise, miniscule lasers that can be used on chip. Moreover, our researchers in this domain work on cheap, light-based sensors that can be used to screen traces of cancer or to check water pollution levels on a large scale.

The research on photonics and integrated photonics is in full speed and is of great importance for future innovations. Therefore, the University of Twente is looking for talent! Join us in one of the open positions as PhD or Post-Doc and help us shape the future of pioneering research and innovation on Integrated Photonics at the University of Twente!

Vacancy number 14484

Job type PhD positions

Hours (in fte) 1,0

External/ internal External

Location Leiden

Placed on 23 January 2024

Closing date 28 February 2024 35 more days to apply

The Faculty of Science and the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR) are looking for a:

PhD candidate in synthetic polymer chemistry

Vacancy number: 14484

Key responsibilities

The group of Dr. Joachim Van Guyse at the Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research (LACDR) has an opening for 1 PhD position in synthetic polymer chemistry. The PhD student will participate in a project focused on engineering polymers for the delivery of nucleic acids, messenger (m)RNA in particular. The overall aim of the research is to develop novel poly(2-oxazoline)-polypeptide block-copolymers, lipid-polymer conjugates, and nucleic acid formulations thereof by employing new synthetic methodologies and state-of-the-art techniques.

The research topic in this position involves the development of structure-activity relationships of the synthesized block-copolymers and lipid-polymer conjugates in the development of nucleic acid formulations to facilitate systemic circulation and improve the biodistribution of nucleic acid therapeutics.

Objectives: 1) Synthesis and characterization of poly(2-oxazline)-polypeptide block copolymers and poly(2-oxazline)-lipid conjugates, bioconjugation of targeting ligands and conjugation of imaging moieties 2) formulation development using state-of-art techniques, e.g. microfluidics; 3) in-depth physicochemical characterization of the formulations, followed by in vitro and in vivo evaluation of selected systems with respect to gene expression, cellular uptake, mRNA stability, biodistribution and circulation.

Selection criteria

• A Master’s degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical sciences, or Biomedical sciences, or a related field;
• Expertise in chemical synthesis, ideally in polymer synthesis and/or material science
• Interest in formulation development; in vitro and in vivo assays, and biotherapeutic delivery
• Strong communication skills in the group and with collaborators;
• Proficiency in English;
• Excellent organisational and planning skills (efficient time management).

Our organization Working at the Faculty of Science means being part of an exciting, dynamic scientific environment which sets high standards for its students and staff. The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is diverse, ranging from computer science, mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences.

The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2,300 staff and over 5,000 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. For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science.

Terms and conditions We offer a full-time appointment of initially one year. After a positive evaluation of the progress of the research, teaching evaluations, personal capabilities and compatibility, the appointment will be extended for another three years. You will be appointed in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The salary ranges from € 2.770,- per month in the first year to € 3.539,- gross per month in the fourth year based on a full-time position (pay scale P).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development. 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 program. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. For more information, see the website: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions.

All our PhD students are embedded in the Leiden University Graduate School of Science. Our graduate school offers several PhD training courses at three levels: professional courses, skills training and personal effectiveness. In addition, advanced courses to deepen scientific knowledge are offered by the research school.

Diversity and work-life balance Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups. LACDR is a highly diverse institute, in culture, background, and gender. We stand for excellence in a caring Institute. We wish to reflect society in all aspects, as we believe that this improves the dynamics in our organization. Therefore, we support and understand the need for a work/life/family balance and consequent varying working hours and places. We believe that doing good science is fun, and goes hand in hand with a friendly culture.

Information Enquiries can be made to Joachim Van Guyse (j.f.r.van.guyse@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl). If you have any questions about the procedure, please contact Joachim Van Guyse (j.f.r.van.guyse@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl).

Applications To apply for this vacancy, please submit your application online via the blue button below. Please ensure that you upload the following additional documents quoting the vacancy number:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Research Interests Statement (max an A4 page)
• Transcripts of bachelor and master curriculum courses, including grades

Only applications received before February 28th, 2024 can be considered.

Vacancy number 14490

Job type Academic staff

Hours (in fte) 0,8-1,0

External/ internal External

Location Leiden

Placed on 23 January 2024

Closing date 29 February 2024 36 more days to apply

The Faculty of Science, Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS), is looking for:

2 Assistant/Associate Professors in Artificial Intelligence(0.8-1.0 FTE)

The rapid evolution and expansion of Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science and the increasing integration with other disciplines creates new challenges in developing and understanding modern computation in its foundations, applications, and societal consequences. Our institute is at the center of this transformation, and we aim to strengthen our research and education in artificial intelligence. We are looking for candidates with expertise complementary to the one that is already present at LIACS and related to generative AI, human centered AI, interactive machine learning, and computational creativity.

There are more opportunities than boundaries at LIACS; you will be a member of existing or new research groups and are expected to work well in our culture of cross-group collaboration. Assistant and associate professors teach courses about their research topics, supervise students, and are expected to develop connections inside and outside our institute, with other stakeholders inside and outside Leiden University. The social values of LIACS are fun, inclusivity, openness, and teamwork.

Positions at LIACS have a good balance between teaching and research, giving the candidates time to write research proposals and further build their research lines and their careers. The level of the position will be commensurate with your level of experience.

Expectations

• Conducting independent research in your field;
• Teaching relevant courses at BSc and MSc level;
• Willing to get the University Teaching Qualification (BKO) within 2 years;
• Supervising BSc and MSc students;
• (Co-)supervising PhD students;
• Securing external funding for research;
• Engaging in committees and organizing activities in your research group, the institute, and in the relevant initiatives in Leiden and the Netherlands.

Selection criteria

• PhD degree in Artificial Intelligence or Computer Science;
• Proven independence in doing research at the postdoc level or beyond;
• Good publication record and experience in raising research funds;
• Proven track record in teaching;
• Able to work independently, in a team, and in a student (co-)supervisory role;
• An academic, creative, and open mindset;
• Good to excellent proficiency in English.
• Depending on the level at which applicants decide to apply, criteria such as leadership, scientific vision, national and international recognition, and visibility, are also important criteria.

Research at our Faculty/Institute The Leiden Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. Our people are driven by curiosity to expand fundamental knowledge and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline.

The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is diverse, ranging from artificial intelligence, computer science, mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 1,300 staff and almost 4,000 students. We are located at the heart of one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together.

The Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS) is the Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science Institute of the Faculty of Science of Leiden University. We offer courses at the Bachelor and Master of Science level in the core areas of Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, and Data Science, and in the interdisciplinary areas of ICT in Business, Media Technology and Creative Science, and Bioinformatics. We are a highly international place to do research, and we strive for excellence in a caring institute, where excellence, fun, and inclusiveness go hand in hand. We offer a clear and inviting career path to young and talented scientists with the ambition to grow.

Terms and conditions We offer a position commensurate with your level of experience, initially for one year. After a positive evaluation of the progress of the research and personal compatibility, the appointment can be extended further to a permanent one. The salary ranges, depending on qualifications and experience, from € 4.332,- to € 8.025,- gross per month, following the pay scales 11 - 14 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 program. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break.

Diversity and inclusivity Fostering an inclusive community is a central element of the values and vision of Leiden University. Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community that enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High-quality teaching and research is inclusive.

Information Enquiries can be made to prof. dr. Marcello Bonsangue, scientific director, email: m.m.bonsangue@liacs.leidenuniv.nl. If you have any questions about the procedure, please contact jobs@liacs.leidenuniv.nl

Application Please submit online your application no later than Feb 29, 2024 via the blue button in our application system. Please ensure that you attach the following additional documents, quoting the vacancy number:

• A short cover letter (1 page) detailing your motivation to apply for the position;
• A brief description of your research plan;
• A brief description of your teaching experience;
• A full CV including a list of publications, grant acquisition, community service, and a link to your Google Scholar page;
• Links to key publications and PhD thesis when appropriate;
• The names and addresses of at least two persons who can be contacted for reference (who have agreed to be contacted).

The Faculty of Science and Institute of Environmental Sciences are looking for:

1 PhD candidate on developing biodiversity-inclusive strategies for the energy transition.

Vacancy number: 14334

We are excited to invite applications for a PhD candidate position within our interdisciplinary research team at the Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML). The focus of this opportunity is to contribute to deepening our understanding of the impact of mining activities on freshwater ecosystems.

Position Overview The selected candidate will lead the development of large-scale models (continental to global) to predict the impact of current and future mining activities on freshwater resources and biodiversity. There exists compelling evidence on the disruptive effects of mining activities on freshwater ecosystems, extending several kilometers downstream from mining sites. However, global assessments inadequately quantify these impacts due to a lack of knowledge regarding biodiversity responses to the many ways in which mining affects freshwater ecosystems. This knowledge gap is particularly critical in the context of the transition to a carbon-neutral society. The anticipated surge in metals demand needed for renewable technologies, is set to escalate conflicts between raw material extraction and conservation, emphasizing the need to disentangle these conflicts for a sustainable and biodiversity-inclusive energy transition.

We seek candidates with a strong quantitative background (programming, GIS) and familiarity with hydrological and ecological processes, but also someone who is keen to learn and develop these skills. The candidate will operate at the intersection of ecology and hydrology, focusing on developing predictive models. These models will not only be employed to carry out global impact assessments but also to enhance the characterization of mining impacts on biodiversity within sustainability assessment tools such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Environmentally Extended Multi-Regional Input-Output (EE-MRIO).

The Ph.D. candidate will be supervised by Dr. Valerio Barbarossa and Prof. René Kleijn, who are dedicated to fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive research environment. The candidate will also engage with the larger “resources and energy”, “biodiversity” as well as “industrial ecology” research groups at the Institute of Environmental Sciences, providing ample opportunities for networking and collaboration.

Key responsibilities As a PhD candidate, you will:

• Develop numerical models to predict the impacts of mining on freshwater ecosystems.
• Use the developed models to characterize impacts of mining in sustainability assessment tools such as LCA and EE-MRIO.
• Assess mining impacts on freshwater ecosystems under various energy transition scenarios.
• Work independently with confidence while maintaining a collegial and proactive attitude.
• Communicate findings through scientific publications and presentations at national and international conferences.
• Help with supervision of MSc students for thesis projects.
• Work on cutting-edge research ideas and proposals together with the supervisors.

Selection Criteria

• You hold an MSc degree, ideally in Environmental Science, Biology, Industrial Ecology, Sustainability, or a related discipline.
• You have experience in spatial data analyses using GIS software and/or programming environments such as R or Python. Experience with "big data" is a plus.
• You have experience in mechanistic and/or statistical modeling. Familiarity with (mixed effect) regression modeling is an advantage.
• Previous knowledge of conducting systematic reviews/meta-analyses is an advantage.
• You exhibit a proactive and flexible attitude, along with excellent communication skills.
• You are a team player capable of effectively communicating work to researchers from various disciplines.
• You have very good written and spoken communication skills in English.

Research at our Institute/Faculty Leiden University is situated between Amsterdam (36 km) and Den Haag (15 km) and was founded in 1575, making it the oldest university in the Netherlands. It houses around 35,000 students originating from 112 nationalities, facilitated by approximately 8,000 staff. 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 is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organized 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 environmental science research in CML is organized around two major research areas: ‘Industrial Ecology’ and ‘Environmental Biology’. This makes CML one of the few institutes covering both the circular, sustainable economic use of natural resources and natural capital, as well as assessing the environmental impacts of economic activities on natural resources, biodiversity and natural capital. Presently, over 130 FTE (including postdocs and PhDs) are employed at CML. CML collaborates with the TU Delft and Erasmus University (Rotterdam) in the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Centre for Sustainability (LDE-CfS).

Terms and conditions At Leiden University, a PhD candidate is seen as an employee rather than a student. As such, we offer a 1-year position with the possibility of extension to 4 years based on performance and following the pay scale P in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. Salary ranges from € 2.770.- gross per month in the first year to € 3.539 gross per month in the fourth year based on a full-time position. Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development. 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 (“30% rule”).

Diversity At the Faculty of Science we value inclusiveness and strive for a diverse community with equal opportunities for all. We give full support to our staff in achieving their potential to become independent academic researchers and teachers. For more information about our policy on diversity and equality please go to the diversity page on our website. Female researchers are also welcomed to join the Researchers In

Science for Equality network of the Faculty if Science (rise.nu).

Information For inquiries, please contact Dr. Valerio Barbarossa at v.barbarossa@cml.leidenuniv.nl or sollicitaties@cml.leidenuniv.nl for general questions.

Applications Please submit your application via the online recruitment system, via the blue button at the top or bottom of this page. Applications received via e-mail will not be taken into consideration. Please ensure that you upload the following additional documents quoting the vacancy number:

• CV (max 2 pages)
• A motivation letter (max 2 pages)
• The names and contact information of two referees

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, with the final deadline for submissions being February 7, 2024. Interviews will take place online or in-person (depending on the current location of residence) within two weeks after the closing date.