Exciting Postdoc Opportunity: Designing and Engineering for Coastal Ecosystem Restoration

The NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research is offering a unique Postdoctoral position focused on the innovative project titled “Designing and engineering emergent trait-based mimics to restore coastal ecosystems.” This position presents an exciting opportunity for researchers passionate about environmental restoration and engineering.

Position Overview

Key Details:

• Job Title: Postdoc in Coastal Ecosystem Restoration
• Location: Den Helder, Netherlands
• Contract Type: Temporary (3 years)
• Application Deadline: October 18, 2024
• Work Status: Full-time (38 hours per week)

Role Description

This postdoctoral role is part of a NWO-funded Vici-project aimed at designing and engineering naturally degradable structures to facilitate the restoration of critical habitat-forming species such as salt marsh plants and seagrasses. The successful candidate will work under the guidance of Prof. T. van der Heide and will be involved in a multidisciplinary team that combines ecology, industrial design, and engineering.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include:

• Coordinating the design and engineering process for biodegradable structures that mimic emergent traits of habitat-forming species.
• Developing new biopolymer and “tras-cement” based materials suitable for structural applications.
• Utilizing additive manufacturing techniques to build prototypes at a scale of approximately 2x2x1 meters.
• Collaborating with ecologists, engineers, and policymakers to ensure the project’s relevance and impact.

Candidate Profile

To be eligible for this role, candidates should possess:

• A PhD in Industrial Design, Engineering, Material Science, or a related field.
• Experience with design approaches and additive manufacturing techniques.
• A strong interest in interdisciplinary work and coastal ecosystem restoration.
• Excellent communication skills in English and the ability to collaborate effectively.

Benefits of Joining NIOZ

The NIOZ offers a supportive and inclusive work environment, with a range of benefits including:

• A competitive salary in accordance with the CAO-WVOI Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Research Institutes.
• A generous holiday allowance and pension scheme.
• Opportunities for personal development through the NIOZ Academy.
• Relocation support for international applicants.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply through the NIOZ careers page. Applications should include a CV, a cover letter detailing relevant experience, and any other supporting documents.

For further information about the position, candidates can contact Prof. Dr. Ir. Tjisse van der Heide or reach out to the recruitment team at working@nioz.nl.