PhD Agrochemical impacts on microbial carbon cycling in aquatic ecosystems

About the position

PhD Agrochemical impacts on microbial carbon cycling in aquatic ecosystems

Do you want to understand the effects of pesticides and nutrients on carbon cycling in aquatic ecosystems?

The Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics is looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate to investigate agrochemical impacts on microbial carbon cycling in lowland agricultural drainage ditch sediments.

About the position

This is a pressing research priority, since the Netherlands has approximately 300,000 km of drainage ditches.

This PhD position will focus on aquatic microbial ecotoxicology, aiming to unravel the effects of agrochemicals on the structure and functioning of microbial and viral communities in agricultural ditch sediments and the linked ecosystem function of carbon cycling.

This project will broaden our understanding of the impacts of agrochemicals from being toxic to aquatic life to the intertwined consequences for global warming.

The position will be based at the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) of the University of Amsterdam, bridging the Departments of Freshwater and Marine Ecology (FAME) and Ecosystem and Landscape Dynamics (ELD).

Tasks and responsibilities:

Communicating with local researchers, water authorities, and stakeholders;

Ideally, you have experience with microbial community analysis (e.g., sequencing, bioinformatics) and/or assessing chemical stressor effects on organisms or ecosystems, along with solid skills in experimental design and data analysis.

As an independent, proactive thinker who thrives in interdisciplinary collaboration, you are excited to contribute new insight into this understudied but ecologically highly relevant research field.

Strong background and experience in Ecotoxicology and/or Microbial Ecology;

Experience or strong interest in transdisciplinary research;

For this position, the University Job Classification profile “Promovendus” (PhD candidate) applies.

A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park, we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

The Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) is one of eight research institutes of the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam.

The research at IBED aims to unravel how ecosystems function in all their complexity, and how they change due to natural processes and human activities.

At its core lies an integrated systems approach to study biodiversity, ecosystems and the environment.

The Ecosystem and Landscape Dynamics research department improves our understanding of the functioning and dynamics of abiotic and biotic components of (geo-)ecosystems across landscapes through time.

You can apply online via the ‘Apply’-button on the vacancy’s webpage.

Deadline: 2026-10-18T23:59:59+02:00

What you’ll bring

• Mentoring BSc and MSc students.
• You hold a Master's degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Microbiology, or a related field, with a background spanning both disciplines.
• Ideally, you have experience with microbial community analysis (e.g., sequencing, bioinformatics) and/or assessing chemical stressor effects on organisms or ecosystems, along with solid skills in experimental design and data analysis.
• MSc in Ecology, Environmental Science, Microbiology, or a related field;
• Strong background and experience in Ecotoxicology and/or Microbial Ecology;
• Experience with field and/or lab work;
• Experience with data analysis, such as statistics, data management, etc.;
• Experience in scripting/programming (e.g., R, Bash, Python);
• Do you have any questions, or do you require additional information?

At a glance

Position type

PhD

Institution

University of Amsterdam (UvA)

Department

Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology

Research group

Not stated

Location

Amsterdam, Netherlands, NL

Supervisor / contact person

Dr. Milo L., Dr. Paula Dalcin Martins

Funding

Salaried
Your salary will be €3,204 gross per month in the first year and will increase to €4,051 in the final year, based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week.
Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park, we offer you multiple fringe benefits:
7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
Salary: {"@type":"MonetaryAmount","currency":"EUR","value":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","unitText":"MONTH","minValue":3204,"maxValue":4051}}
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Duration

4 years

Expected start

Not stated

Vacancy reference

364013

Research focus

Discipline

Chemistry

Research area

Not stated

Methods

Not stated

Software

Python

Dates to know

Listed on FOSS Positions

18 Sep 2026

Original advertisement date

2026-09-16

Application deadline

18 Oct 2026 · 21:59 UTC

Priority review date

Not stated

Last checked

18 Sep 2026

Last updated

18 Sep 2026

2026-10-18T23:59:59+02:00

How to apply

A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants.
If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the ‘Apply’-button on the vacancy’s webpage. We accept applications until and including 18 October 2026.
A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure (for details: national knowledge security guidelines). The interviews are expected to take place in late October and November. We will send out the invitations to the selected candidates shortly after the closing date.

Contact: m.l.debaat@uva.nlp.dalcinmartins@uva.nl

Original sources

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/jobs/364013/phd-agrochemical-impacts-on-microbial-carbon-cycling-in-aquatic-ecosystems/ ↗