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Postdoc Position in Nature Restoration and Ecological Modelling at Radboud University, Netherlands (2026) Fully funded

The Radboud University is inviting applications for a fully funded Postdoctoral Researcher position on Evaluating the Effectiveness of National Nature Restoration Plans.

This opportunity is ideal for researchers interested in:

  • ecology,
  • biodiversity conservation,
  • ecological modelling,
  • environmental policy,
  • climate change,
  • and sustainability science.

The position is hosted within the Faculty of Science at the Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences (RIBES).

About Radboud University

Radboud University is one of the leading research universities in the Netherlands and is internationally recognized for:

  • interdisciplinary research,
  • sustainability science,
  • biodiversity research,
  • and high-quality education.

The Faculty of Science includes more than 1,300 staff members from over 70 countries, creating a highly international and collaborative research environment.

The university focuses on solving major societal and environmental challenges such as:

  • climate change,
  • biodiversity loss,
  • ecosystem degradation,
  • and sustainable transitions.

About the Position

Large-scale nature restoration is becoming increasingly important across Europe to preserve:

  • biodiversity,
  • ecosystem services,
  • and ecological resilience.

However, designing effective restoration strategies is complex because:

  • species respond differently to restoration measures,
  • ecological conditions vary locally,
  • and climate change may affect restoration success.

This postdoctoral position is part of a European research project investigating ecological responses to restoration measures and assessing the effectiveness of national restoration plans.

Position Details

Feature

Details

Position

Postdoctoral Researcher

Research Area

Nature Restoration & Ecological Modelling

Institution

Radboud University

Department

Environmental Science (RIBES)

Location

Nijmegen, Netherlands

Contract Duration

1 Year + Possible 3-Year Extension

Employment Type

Full-Time

Starting Date

1 September 2026

Salary

€3546 – €5538 per month

Application Deadline

31 May 2026

Interview Dates

15, 17, or 18 June 2026


Research Responsibilities

The selected researcher will contribute to evaluating national nature restoration plans using ecological modelling and biodiversity data analysis.

Key responsibilities include:

1. Species Trait Database Development

You will:

  • establish and analyze databases containing species trait information,
  • study ecological responses to restoration measures,
  • and support biodiversity assessment research.

2. Ecological Modelling

The project involves:

  • statistical modelling,
  • process-explicit ecological modelling,
  • biodiversity analysis,
  • and evaluating restoration effectiveness.

A major focus will be the national restoration plan of the Netherlands.

3. Project Management and Supervision

In addition to research, you will:

  • help organize project meetings,
  • contribute to project reporting,
  • and assist in supervising a PhD candidate.

4. Teaching Contribution

Up to 10% of your working time will involve teaching activities in:

  • BSc Biology programmes
  • MSc Biology programmes

Required Qualifications

Applicants should have:

  1. A PhD degree in Ecology or a related field
  2. Strong interest in biodiversity and ecological change
  3. Experience with ecological data collection, quantitative analysis, statistical modelling, process-based ecological models
  4. Programming experience in R, Python, or related scientific programming languages

Preferred Skills

Additional advantages include:

  • experience in interdisciplinary research,
  • project management skills,
  • collaborative international research experience,
  • and Dutch language skills (optional, not required).

Strong English communication skills are essential.

Research Environment

The position is based at the Department of Environmental Science within RIBES. The department focuses on:

  • sustainable transitions,
  • ecosystem responses to human pressures,
  • environmental modelling,
  • and global environmental change.

Researchers work in a collaborative and international atmosphere with strong emphasis on sustainability science.

Salary and Benefits

Radboud University offers highly competitive employment conditions, including:

  • Monthly salary between €3546–€5538
  • 8% holiday allowance
  • 8.3% end-of-year bonus
  • Pension scheme
  • Flexible working hours
  • Work-from-home options
  • 30–41 annual leave days
  • Training and professional development opportunities

Employees also receive discounts on university sports facilities, and cultural activities.

Why This Opportunity Is Valuable

This position combines:

  • applied ecological research,
  • biodiversity conservation,
  • environmental policy evaluation,
  • and quantitative ecological modelling.

Researchers with expertise in ecological modelling and biodiversity science are increasingly important in European environmental policy and restoration planning.

The project also provides strong exposure to:

  • European environmental frameworks,
  • restoration ecology,
  • and policy-relevant sustainability research.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted through the official Radboud University application portal.

Applicants typically need:

  1. Academic CV
  2. Motivation letter
  3. Research documents
  4. Supporting application materials

Important: Applications via email are not accepted.

Contact Information

For questions about the position:


Official Application Link

Apply here: Apply for postdoc position


Final Thoughts

This is an excellent opportunity for early-career researchers interested in:

  • restoration ecology,
  • biodiversity conservation,
  • ecological modelling,
  • and sustainability science.

Candidates with strong quantitative ecological skills and interest in applied environmental policy research will be particularly competitive.

Because the position combines research, policy relevance, and international collaboration, it can serve as a strong career step for researchers aiming to work at the intersection of ecology and sustainability science in Europe.

 

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