Tenure track researcher in Aquatic Ecosystem Modelling

The position

The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) seeks a tenure track researcher position within the Department of Aquatic Ecology.

What you will be doing

You will join our existing team of four aquatic scientists. We seek an aquatic ecosystem modeller who integrates this expertise with real-world “wet boots” and experimental experience. The successful candidate will conduct research in a department with world-class experimental facilities including the Limnotrons “mini-lakes”, the Aqua-flex Arena mesocosm system, diverse aquatic assay facilities and excellent analytical laboratories. You will be working within an international team of researchers supported by five research assistants. We value equity, diversity, inclusion and collaborative team science, so we look for a colleague who will actively contribute towards a respectful and inspiring working environment.

What will you be contributing

The NIOO-KNAW together with Wageningen University and Research and PBL have developed the open-access PC-Lake family of models for over 30 years, and we want a researcher to take responsibility for the future development and application of these models. You will be someone who sees opportunities for research synergies with recent initiatives in the Department including SMART enhancement of the Limnotrons facility through the SEFAP project, and long-term research on the large lake IJsselmeer. 

You will enter our tenure track programme and work towards become established as a senior researcher at the NIOO-KNAW. We expect you to develop funding proposals and build a network of collaborators both within academia and with stakeholders with whom you will co-develop projects to expand the reach and impact of ecological research. You will produce high-quality scientific outputs and use a range of media to communicate ecological knowledge. You will actively contribute towards the strengthening of open science practices.

We seek a candidate who is naturally aligned with the core values of the NIOO: collaborative, impactful, innovative, responsible and inclusive. The following requirements will be considered in the evaluation:

• A PhD degree in the field of ecology, biodiversity, environmental science or a related field
• A promising publication record that demonstrates a strong research line with demonstrated expertise in ecosystem modelling
• Success in obtaining research funding
• Experience in leading a team and/or supervision of BSc/MSc students and doctoral candidates
• Commitment to your future research having a basis in the Netherlands, with an international perspective
• Proficiency in English and (a willingness to learn) Dutch

Scientists at the NIOO have no obligation to teach at University level, but supervision of Masters and PhDs is expected as part of normal research activity. Scientific communication is carried out in English, so knowledge of the Dutch language is not a prerequisite, but a commitment to learning the language is expected in longer-term staff.

What do we offer?

The Tenure track position will be hosted at NIOO-KNAW, Wageningen. Tenure track appointments will be on a temporary basis for a maximum of six years. After three and five years of employment there will be an assessment of performance based on criteria that will be specified at the appointment. Based on these assessments the researcher may be promoted to the rank of senior researcher with tenure. Depending on experience, the maximum gross salary is € 6.433 per month (scale 11) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities, excluding 8% vacation allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus.

The working hours can be discussed to facilitate an optimal work life balance (0,8 fte – 1,0 FTE).

The NIOO-KNAW Tenure Track process is rooted in the Recognition and Rewards ethos, helping you to develop in the areas of Science and Scholarship, Leadership and Service and Outreach and Education.

Your workplace

The Department of Aquatic Ecology seeks to understand aquatic ecosystems, predict their responses to a changing world, and contribute to a sustainable future. We work across scales using experimental, long-term and modelling approaches to tackle how the triple crises of biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution influence inland freshwater ecosystems. Our research has a strong focus on lakes and standing waters and aims to blend fundamental ecology with collaborations across disciplines to broaden the societal relevance of our research.

The Aquatic Ecology Department is one of four departments in the NIOO-KNAW. The NIOO-KNAW has excellent analytical facilities, ranging from biochemical and molecular laboratories, indoor and outdoor experimental set-ups to long-term databases and research sites. As part of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) you will be connected to research institutes across the Netherlands and access the many training opportunities of the KNAW.

More information

Please contact:

Suzanne McGowan, Head of Department, s.mcgowan@nioo.knaw.nl

Information about the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) can be found at http://www.nioo.knaw.nl

Application procedure

Please submit a cover letter of no more than two pages summarizing your motivation and research vision, a CV and the contact details of two professional referees (name, address, telephone, and email). The deadline for application is 12 December 2025 and first round interviews will be held on 16 January 2026.

About NIOO

The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO) is a national research institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). At NIOO we perform ecological research on biodiversity, climate change and sustainable use of land and water. We stimulate ecological research in the Netherlands and share our ecological knowledge with society. Everyone in our organisation is passionate about contributing to a sustainable world from their own area of expertise.

Terms of employment

Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is € 4.728 and the maximum salary is € 6.433 gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale 11 cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP.

The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment).  

For a complete overview of the terms of employment, please refer to the web page: werken bij de KNAW.

Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct can be part of the employment procedure.

Diversity & Inclusion

The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.

We will not respond to any supplier enquiries based on this job advertisement.