Faculty of Science – Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics
Publication date: 31 January 2019
Level of education: PhD
Salary indication: €2,709 to €4,274 gross per month
Closing date: 25 February 2019
Hours: 38 hours per week
Vacancy number: 19-067

A postdoctoral research position is available with Dr Judy Shamoun-Baranes, leading animal movement ecology research in the Department of Theoretical and Computational Ecology within the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) at the University of Amsterdam (UvA). IBED is one of the eight research institutes within the Faculty of Science. Its goal is a better understanding of the dynamics of ecosystems at all relevant levels, from genes to climate change, using a truly multidisciplinary approach.

Project description

This postdoctoral position is part of the project 'Interactions between birds and offshore wind farms: drivers, consequences and tools for mitigation' funded by NWO-TTW. Within this project we aim to increase our understanding of the factors that influence bird movement patterns, bird interactions with wind farms and population consequences of these interactions. Research results will be used for mitigation of potential negative impacts of wind energy on migratory and resident populations and to support a transition to renewable energy. Integrating radar measurements of bird movement, individual GPS tracking and demographic measurements, we will measure and model these interactions and their consequences, from large scale migration patterns to the fine scale flight behaviour of seabirds within wind farms. A predictive migration model will be developed to support the temporary shutdown of wind turbines. We will also develop a roadmap and tools for a national e-science infrastructure for remote monitoring of avian movement, laying a foundation for a science based approach to understand and mitigate population level consequences of offshore wind farms. To achieve these aims the project team includes 3 PhD candidates and 3 postdoctoral researchers as well as experts from UvA and the NIOZ and collaborators from KNMI and SURFSara.

Within this project we offer a 3 year postdoctoral position within the subproject 'Avian movement through wind farms'. The main aims of the postdoc will be to lead the:

• Development of methods to improve the quality and information content of bird movement data extracted from different radar systems,
• Development of methods to integrate movement data extracted from different radar systems and
• Contribute to research on environmental drivers of spatio-temporal dynamics of avian movement over the North Sea.
• Furthermore the postdoctoral researcher will help to compile the necessary environmental data needed for analysis, for example gridded meteorological data, local meteorological measurements, shipping lanes and wind energy installations. This position will require coordination with other members of the project team, including a postdoctoral researcher  involved in developing the e-science infrastructure to support the project. We offer the possibility to be involved in the supervision of PhD candidates and in undergraduate and graduate education.

Requirements

We are looking for you if you meet these criteria:

• A PhD in Physics, Earth Sciences, Meteorology or Ecology, with an interest in animal movement research;
• Strong computational and programming skills;
• Experience working with large datasets;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• An interest in working on a collaborative and interdisciplinary project;
• Preferably experience with radar data and radar technology.
• Further information

For additional information, please contact:

Dr Judy Shamoun-Baranes

Appointment

The starting date of the position is preferably spring 2019. Initially we will appoint you on a temporary basis for one year. Subsequently we offer you an extension of the employment contract of two years if we assess your performance positive. The appointment is full-time (38 hours per week), but part-time employment (0.8 fte minimum) implicating a longer extension as compensation is negotiable. The full-time gross monthly salary will range from €2,709 to €4,274, depending on the number of years of relevant experience. The annual salary will be supplemented with 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% end-of-year bonus. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Job application

The UvA is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We value a spirit of enquiry and endurance, provide the space to keep asking questions and cherish a diverse atmosphere of curiosity and creativity.

Applications should include:

• A motivation letter;
• A CV, including a list of publications, description of research experience and interests;
• The names and contact addresses of two academic references.
• You may apply no later than 25 February 2019 using the link below. Interviews are planned in the second week of March. #LI-DNP