Postdoc in soil biodiversity analysis across Europe (English text)

What you will be doing

Soils host most of the world’s biodiversity and deliver important ecosystem services, yet many soils are currently considered unhealthy. The European Soil Monitoring Directive aims to improve soil health through EU‑wide monitoring. The scientific challenge is to provide information about soil biodiversity across the European Union that makes soil monitoring effective in assessing changes in soil‑health status. This requires further insights into patterns of soil biodiversity in time and space.

In the EU‑SOB4ES project, samples have been collected and analysed over consecutive years for soil biodiversity and physicochemical parameters across a range of land‑use types and pedo‑climatic conditions in Europe. With your expertise in soil ecology and statistical analyses you will:

• Analyse soil‑biodiversity patterns of microorganisms and fauna across time and space using the SOB4ES databases;
• Write scientific publications and present your research at conferences and scientific meetings;
• Make results accessible to a wider audience;
• Mentor students and, where relevant, early‑career researchers.

What you will be contributing

• PhD in soil ecology or a related discipline (or equivalent);
• Strong background in multivariate and complex statistical analyses;
• Familiarity with amplicon‑sequencing data and experience developing and analysing large datasets, including quality‑control procedures;
• Excellent writing and presentation skills;
• Fluent English (spoken and written);
• Potential to guide and mentor students, coordinate tasks and foster a positive team environment;
• Experience linking soil biota to environmental and pedological parameters and using biogeography (highly desirable);
• Open communication, adaptability and independent problem‑solving;
• Willingness to integrate into the EU‑SOB4ES consortium and the Department of Terrestrial Ecology (TE) at NIOO‑KNAW, collaborate and exchange knowledge.

What do we offer?

• One‑year position (1.0 FTE) in the dynamic Department of Terrestrial Ecology, with a preferred start in October 2026; a 0.8 FTE option is possible.
• Membership of the PE&RC Graduate School (https://www.pe-rc.nl/) with access to courses on ecological subjects, research methods, statistical analyses and transferable skills.
• Weekly seminars, science lunches and journal clubs to stimulate scientific discussion.
• Various training opportunities offered by NIOO‑KNAW to broaden your skill set during employment.

Your workplace

You will be based in the Department of Terrestrial Ecology (TE) at NIOO‑KNAW, a dynamic, interactive and collaborative group of researchers from diverse backgrounds. You will share office space with other PhD candidates and postdocs and join an active community of researchers, postdocs, PhDs, research assistants and internship students.

TE aims to understand, predict and mitigate the effects of climate change, biodiversity loss and land‑use change in land‑based ecosystems. Our research focuses on interactions between plants, microbes and (in)vertebrates, both below and above ground, spanning from conceptual to experimental approaches and from evolutionary adaptation to community interactions and ecosystem processes. The ultimate goal is to enhance fundamental understanding of these interactions to promote sustainability of life on Planet Earth.

More information

Contact persons:

• Justine Lejoly – j.lejoly@nioo.knaw.nl
• Wim van der Putten – w.vanderputten@nioo.knaw.nl

Information about the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‑KNAW) is available at http://www.nioo.knaw.nl.

Application procedure

Please submit the following via the online application portal:

• Cover letter summarising motivation and experience;
• Curriculum vitae;
• Contact details for two professional referees (name, address, telephone, email).

Application deadline: 6 July 2026. Applications received after this date will not be considered. Interviews will be held in person or online (depending on the candidate’s location) and are scheduled for 16 July 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 conduct 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

• Salary (full‑time equivalent) : € 3 546 – € 5 538 gross per month (scale 10, CAO Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW);
• Exclusive of 8 % vacation allowance, 8.3 % year‑end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home‑working allowance and ABP pension accrual;
• The KNAW offers an excellent secondary‑benefits package, including the possibility to increase annual leave from 29 to 41 days by working an extra two hours per week;
• For a complete overview, see the “Work for the Academy” web page.

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. We strive for an inclusive culture that embraces differences. Candidates who can contribute to diversity through their background and experience are especially encouraged to apply. In case of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who enhances diversity within the Academy.

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