PhD Researcher: Forest Regrowth rates and carbon accumulation in forests and forest reserves in Europe (NextgenCarbon) Wageningen • Wageningen University & Research

Explore the potential of nature and climate science as a PhD student with the Team Sustainable Forest Ecosystems. Contribute to the Horizon Europe project NextGenCarbon, aiming to understand the European biosphere's role in global climate dynamics. Engage with top European research groups, develop novel techniques for forest regrowth analysis, and synthesize findings in journal papers. Enjoy a vibrant work environment with flexible hours, sabbatical leave, and access to campus sports facilities. Join us on the greenest campus in the Netherlands! Discover why our team could be the perfect fit for you.

Your job

Are you a motivated and curious individual with a strong interest in forests, forest dynamics and climate sciences? Do you have an MSc. degree in forest ecology, earth system science, climate sciences, mathematics, or geo-information science or a similar relevant field, and are you proficient in programming with R/Python?  Then we have the perfect opportunity for you!

The Team Sustainable Forest Ecosystems is looking for an aspiring PhD student within the frame of the Horizon Europe project NextGenCarbon.

NextGenCarbon’s overall aim is to better understand the role of the European biosphere in the global climate and its feedbacks. All the top research groups of Europe are participating in this project. Generally  global vegetation models and satellites capture the role of forest losses very well, but not the regrowth rates and to which saturation these develop in strict forest reserves. The role of WenR in the NextGenCarbon is to explore the regrowth rates in European forests and the role of strict forest reserves in this. You will work partly with existing unique National Forest Inventory datasets from across Europe, partly within the forest reserves programmes in Europe and Netherlands.

As a PhD researcher you will:

• Develop robust approaches for combining data acquired from heterogeneous sampling designs.
• Collect data from forest reserves
• Develop novel techniques to analyse forest regrowth and saturation points, including information on mortality rates.
• Develop spatiotemporal gap filling methods for several forest variables.
• Work within the NextGenCarbon consortium ()
• Relate your work to the national greenhouse gas reporting of the  LULUCF-sector
• Synthesize the above in journal papers and a PhD-thesis.

The research is hosted within the Team Sustainable Forest Ecosystems and is related to the forest ecology and forest management group of WU, and will be supervised by Gert-Jan Nabuurs, Sven van Baren and Silke Jacobs.

This PhD programme is also a part of PE & RC, a collaborative research and PhD training institute coordinated by Wageningen University (WU). The PhD programme is embedded in a coherent and productive research environment that aims to perform academic research of the highest quality. For more information, click here.
Your qualities

As a PhD researcher you must have:

• An (or about to be obtained) MSc degree in forest ecology, forest/nature conservation or a similar relevant field as mentioned above;
• Sound understanding of forest ecology and biodiversity;
• Experience or strong interest in big data analysis;
• Proficiency in programming, preferably with R/Python;
• Excellent English language skills both written and spoken;
• Motivation, curiosity, and willingness to work in a highly dynamic team;
• Meet the entry requirements of English language for WUR PE&RC PhD programme.

This position is available from September 2025, with a duration of four years.

You will work here
You will be appointed at SFE: Team Sustainable Forest Ecosystems consists of 24 enthusiastic colleagues working on options for conservation, restoration, development and sustainable use of trees and forests from an ecological perspective. We focus on the way in which policy, management and climate affect ecological processes and what their consequences are for climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation and restoration, delivery of ecosystem services and other specific policy goals. The team offers a stimulating working environment combining first class expertise and young enthusiasm!

To get a taste of the team you will be part of, read this:
We offer you

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8,3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.

The gross salary for the first year is € 2.753  - per month rising to € 3.519 ,-  in the fourth year in according to the CAO Wageningen Research (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 36  hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. We can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.
Do you want more information?

For more information about this position, please contact Gert-Jan Nabuurs Professor European forest resources, telephone or by e-mail via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina.

For more information about the procedure, please contact Edgar Tijhuis, corporate recruiter via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina.

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly by uploading your CV and motivation letter, using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including 30 June 2025. We hope to schedule the first job interviews from early July.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

We are

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is ‘To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life’.

We pursue this mission through a synergistic approach between Wageningen University and Wageningen Research Foundation (applied research). Our research focuses on questions within the domains of food, living environment, and society. With approximately 30 locations, 7,700 staff members, 2,500 PhD candidates, and over 13,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is among the world’s leading knowledge institutions in its domain. The integral approach to challenges and the collaboration across various disciplines form the core of the unique Wageningen approach.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR.

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.