Postdoc Position on Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Change Adaptation at VU Amsterdam, Netherlands (2026)

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Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam), Netherlands, has announced a fully funded Postdoctoral Researcher position focused on the economics and co-benefits of nature-based solutions (NBS) for climate change adaptation. The position is hosted at the internationally recognized Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) within the Faculty of Science.

This interdisciplinary postdoctoral opportunity is part of the Horizon Europe-funded GRACE project, which investigates climate adaptation strategies in remote European regions and evaluates their economic, environmental, and societal impacts.

Applications are open until 30 June 2026.

About the GRACE Project

The selected postdoctoral researcher will join the four-year interdisciplinary GRACE research program, funded through Horizon Europe.

The project focuses on:

  • Climate change adaptation (CCA)

  • Nature-based solutions (NBS)

  • Climate resilience

  • Ecosystem services

  • Environmental economics

  • Regional sustainability

The research aims to assess how climate adaptation measures implemented in remote EU regions can generate both:

  • Local benefits for communities

  • Wider regional co-benefits

Potential co-benefits include:

  • Improved water quality

  • Reduced flood risk

  • Biodiversity conservation

  • Recreational ecosystem services

  • Agroforestry and pastoral production

  • Landscape management benefits

The project emphasizes co-design and co-creation of knowledge with stakeholders across multiple European regions.

About the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM)

Established in 1971, the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) is one of Europe’s leading environmental research institutes.

The institute is internationally known for:

  • Environmental economics

  • Sustainability science

  • Climate change research

  • Environmental policy

  • Water and climate risk

  • Ecosystem services research

IVM’s research philosophy strongly integrates:

  • Science

  • Policy

  • Stakeholder engagement

  • Interdisciplinary collaboration

The position is hosted within the:

Department of Environmental Economics (EE)

The EE department is one of Europe’s largest environmental economics groups and consists of approximately 35 researchers and PhD candidates working on:

  • Climate change

  • Circular economy

  • Water management

  • Energy transitions

  • Ecosystem services

  • Natural resource economics

Research Responsibilities

The selected postdoctoral researcher will lead valuation research focused on climate adaptation solutions and their co-benefits.

Main responsibilities include:

1. Designing Valuation Surveys

The researcher will design and implement survey-based valuation methods to assess climate adaptation benefits and ecosystem co-benefits.

2. Economic Assessment

The project includes development of cost-benefit frameworks evaluating the economic viability of nature-based adaptation strategies.

3. Benefit Transfer Techniques

The researcher will apply advanced benefit-transfer approaches for environmental valuation across multiple European regions.

4. Scientific Publications

Publishing research findings in:

  • International peer-reviewed journals

  • Policy-oriented journals

is a major part of the role.

5. Teaching and Student Supervision

The position also includes:

  • Teaching in Bachelor’s and/or Master’s programmes

  • Supervising BSc and MSc students

6. Project Collaboration and Management

The postdoc will contribute to:

  • Workshops

  • Project deliverables

  • Consortium meetings

  • Stakeholder engagement activities

Candidate Requirements

Applicants should have:

  • A completed PhD in:

    • Environmental Economics

    • Environmental Science

    • Sustainability Science

    • Social Sciences

    • Or a related field

Candidates should also demonstrate:

  • Strong quantitative analytical skills

  • Experience in environmental valuation

  • Excellent communication skills in English

  • Knowledge of one additional European language

  • Teaching and supervision experience

Additional advantages include:

  • EU project experience

  • Management skills

  • Interdisciplinary collaboration experience

Salary and Benefits

VU Amsterdam offers a highly competitive Dutch university salary package.

Salary Range

  • €3,546 – €5,538 gross per month

depending on experience and qualifications.

Additional benefits include:

  • 8% holiday allowance

  • 8.3% end-of-year bonus

  • Pension scheme (ABP)

  • Commuting reimbursement

  • Flexible personalized benefits package

  • Extensive paid leave

A full-time 38-hour workweek includes:

  • 232 holiday leave hours annually

Employees working 40 hours per week receive:

  • Additional 96 holiday leave hours annually

Contract Details

Contract Type

  • Postdoctoral Researcher

Employment Fraction

  • Minimum 0.8 FTE

Contract Duration

  • Initial 1-year contract

  • Possible extension for an additional year

Expected Start Date

  • 1 October 2026

Location

  • Nieuwe Universiteitsgebouw (NU)

  • Amsterdam, Netherlands

Why This Opportunity Is Important

This postdoctoral position stands out because it combines:

  • Environmental economics

  • Climate adaptation

  • Nature-based solutions

  • Ecosystem service valuation

  • Stakeholder collaboration

  • EU sustainability policy

Unlike purely theoretical academic projects, this role directly connects research with:

  • Regional climate adaptation planning

  • Economic decision-making

  • Policy development

  • Community resilience

Researchers interested in sustainability transitions and climate-resilient societies will find this position highly impactful.

About VU Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is one of the Netherlands’ leading research universities, known for interdisciplinary science and societal impact research.

The university hosts:

  • More than 31,000 students

  • Over 6,000 staff members

  • Strong international collaborations

  • A highly diverse academic community

VU Amsterdam emphasizes:

  • Sustainability

  • Inclusion

  • Innovation

  • Societal engagement

The campus is located in Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, one of Europe’s major research and business hubs.

Application Process

Applicants should submit:

  • Motivation letter (maximum 1 page)

  • Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages)

  • Contact details for two references

  • Optional reference letters

Applications must be submitted through the official online application system.

Applications sent via email will not be considered.

APPLY HERE: Official Online Application Portal

Important Dates

Application Deadline

  • 30 June 2026

Interview Period

  • 2nd and 3rd week of August 2026

Expected Start Date :

  • 1 October 2026

Final Thoughts

The Postdoctoral Researcher position at VU Amsterdam offers an exceptional opportunity to work on climate adaptation and environmental economics within a major European sustainability project.

With strong interdisciplinary collaboration, policy relevance, international stakeholder engagement, and advanced environmental valuation research, this role provides excellent career development opportunities for researchers interested in climate resilience and sustainability science.

Researchers working in environmental economics, ecosystem services, climate adaptation, and sustainability policy should strongly consider applying.

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