Postdoc Modelling Impacts of Climate Change on Plant-soil Interactions and C Sequestration

Do you want to contribute to understanding and predicting how extreme weather events will affect soil carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions in agricultural grasslands Do you want to model the interactions between roots microbes and minerals that govern these processes We are looking for a postdoc within the NWA project Harnessing root-microbe-mineral interactions for climate friendly agricultural soils.

About the position

This project led by Prof. Franciska de Vries is investigating the role of root-microbe interactions in forming stable soil organic matter in different soil types and under future climate scenarios using a range of different approaches and in collaboration with Statistics Netherlands (CBS) Eurofins Amsterdam Green Campus and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Most experimental data have been collected in this project and we are now looking for a postdoc with a strong theoretical background in plant-soil interactions and with experience in analyzing large spatio-temporal data sets and mechanistically modelling soil C processes.

Together with the project team which consists of a postdoc a PhD student a technician the project PI and several internal and external collaborators you will use the collected experimental data and other types of data to project and mechanistically model the impacts of drought and extreme rainfall on C cycling processes. Mechanistic modelling will focus on interactions between root systems soil properties and soil microbes quantifying carbon flow through different pools. Projections will use field data as well as available geospatial climate land use and soil data. You will do this in close collaboration with project partners from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) Eurofins and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. You will be part of the vibrant and inclusive Plant-Soil Ecology research group and work closely with a variety of project partners collaborators and stakeholders.

What are you going to do

You will use the data collected in the project and existing data to model and project the impacts of extreme weather events on soil C cycling. These outcomes will inform farmers decisions as well as local and national policy makers and you will have the opportunity to communicate and visualise these results to a wider audience. You will also assist in general project related tasks such as finalising data collection in collaboration with the project team project planning and communicating project outcomes with stakeholders (farmers local governments policymakers industry). You will give significant input to the scientific direction of the final analysis and modelling of project data and you will write reports to the funder in a timely and efficient way. You will communicate results via presentations and publications in leading journals. You will determine the priorities of these activities in close consultation with the project PI.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Use project data and other types of data to take a lead in modelling and projecting the impacts of extreme weather on soil C cycling;
• Actively read the literature relating to (and around) the project and plan and manage your own tasks;
• Take a leading role in communication with stakeholders;
• Show willingness to contribute to the work of others in the lab by offering practical and intellectual help including technical staff and post-graduate students;
• Contribute to the running of the Plant-Soil Ecology research group by attending and taking an active part in group meetings and give presentations when asked and occasionally organize lab meetings;
• Supervise BSc and MSc students if and when requested.

Your profile

You have completed a PhD on a subject related to soil C cycling and plant-soil interactions and you have experience in analysing data and mechanistic and statistical modelling of processes relevant to soil C cycling. You have an in-depth understanding of linkages between plants and soil microbes and how they respond to changing conditions. You can work to a high level of independence but you also like working in a team and you effectively incorporate feedback and different perspectives in your work.

Your experience and profile:

• PhD in Ecology Soil Science or Environmental Sciences or a related discipline;
• A thorough understanding of linkages between plants microbial communities their activities and environmental parameters and how they link to C cycling process;
• Excellent computational analytical and statistical skills including proficiency in the use of programming languages such as R and python;
• Experience in analysing large and complicated datasets preferably including geospatial data;
• Experience in or strong affinity with mechanistic and statistical modelling;
• Publication record appropriate to stage of career including recent first authored research publications in internationally recognised peer-reviewed journals;
• Ability to present information in an accurate and appropriate format and to communicate effectively with a range of groups including scientists and stakeholders
• Good written and spoken English;
• Effective interpersonal skills and ability to work with colleagues at all levels
• You value a diverse team and are willing to contribute to our inclusive and collaborative working culture.

Our offer

We offer a temporary employment contract for 30.4 to 38 hours per week for a period of 18 months. The preferred starting date is the 1st of March 2026. For this position the University Job Classification profile Researcher 4 applies. If proven suitable for the job and unchanged financial and organizational circumstances the contract can be extended for 6 months. The gross monthly salary based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience ranges between 3546 to 5538 (scale 10). In addition you will receive a 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end allowance.

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

The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

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

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• a complete educational program for PhD students;
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• multiple courses on topics such as time management handling stress and an online learning platform with 100 different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• help with registration at UvA- Housing for a studio or small apartment when youre moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits take a look here.

Where you will work

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. IBED adopts this systems approach to ecosystems addressing abiotic (soil and water quality) and biotic factors (ecology and evolution of plants animals and microorganisms) and the interplay between those. The IBED vision includes research encompassing experimental and theoretical approaches at a wide variety of temporal and spatial scales i.e. from molecules and microorganisms to patterns and processes occurring at the global scale. The University of Amsterdam has excellenthigh performance computingfacilities. Furthermore IBED has a dedicatedcomputational support team with specialized knowledge of bioinformatics (geo)database management and scientific programming. IBED also works with non-academic partners to deliver transdisciplinary science for society.

The position will be based in the Department of Ecosystem and Landscape Dynamics. 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 will be part of the Plant-Soil Ecology laboratory a vibrant research group that actively values and promotes inclusivity equity and diversity. We study the mechanisms through which plants and soil organisms interact how these interactions are affected by global change and what the consequences are for ecosystem functioning. We use a range of experimental approaches and techniques and study natural and managed ecosystems.

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 vacancys webpage. We accept applications until and including 03 December 2025.

Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file):

• a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
• a letter of motivation;
• a list of publications;
• the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation.

Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure.(for details: national knowledge security guidelines)

The interviews will be held in the course of January 2026.

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information Please contact:

• Franciska de Vries