Postdoc position in the framework of the ANEMOI project: “Modelling effects of chemicals from offshore wind turbines on the functioning of the lower-trophic level marine ecosystem”

The department of Coastal Systems (COS - location Texel) is looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with a background in marine ecology, biogeochemistry, ecotoxicology and/or hydrodynamics and numerical modelling.

ROYAL NIOZ

NWO-NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research is the Dutch national oceanographic institute and principally performs academically excellent multidisciplinary, fundamental, and frontier applied marine research addressing important scientific and societal questions pertinent to the functioning of the ocean and seas. NIOZ includes the National Marine research Facilities (NMF) department that operates a fleet of research vessels and the national pool of large seagoing equipment, and supports excellence in multidisciplinary marine research, education, and policy development.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of COS studies integral coastal ecosystems and their populations of fish, birds, and other marine animals in the North and Wadden Seas as well as on a global scale. The department focusses on key physical, chemical and biological processes that determine the productivity and the ecological functioning of coastal areas. The coastal system is studied as a unity by considering the interrelations between the key compartments of the ecosystem (water, sediment, microalgae, macrozoobenthos, parasites, fish and birds). The welcoming atmosphere at NIOZ will provide ample opportunity for collaborations.

THE VACANCY

You will work on implementing toxicological effects of organic leachates from paints and metals from corrosion protection anodes used on offshore wind farm (OFW) turbines on the metabolic functioning of filter-feeding organisms in a lower-trophic level biogeochemistry and ecosystem model for the North Sea. You will investigate the cascading effects of the resulting changes in performance of filter-feeders on the model ecosystem, and compare with available observations.

You will cooperate with several other researchers working on the ANEMOI project on other modelling aspects, laboratory experiments, field observations and their interpretation.

THE ANEMOI PROJECT

Upscaling networks of OWFs contributes to UN sustainable development goals on clean energy and climate action and offers opportunities for spatial multi-use with nature restoration and aquaculture. Previous studies have indicated that OWFs are a source of chemical emissions to local waters but the type and environmental impact of those emissions have been largely overlooked to date. The ANEMOI project will increase our knowledge of the sources of chemical emissions and their potential risks, which is essential information for the OWF industry and for policy development. The project will investigate the release of chemicals and their effects, and propose regulatory adaptations needed to reach internationally harmonised environmental legislation on OWF emissions within the North Sea area. ANEMOI will bring forward solutions to reduce chemical emissions from corrosion protection systems and applied coatings, and will provide necessary elements for its sound management. Anemoi is funded through the EU Interreg Programme, and has partners in Belgium,

Germany, Norway, France, Denmark and The Netherlands. For more information, see https://www.interregnorthsea.eu/anemoi.

THE CANDIDATE

As an ideal candidate:

• You have a PhD in oceanography, biology, or biogeochemistry or related field.
• You have an affinity for numerical modelling and/or knowledge of ecotoxicology.
• You have strong computational skills.
• You are open and communicative to facilitate interactions with all members of the interdisciplinary and international project consortium.
• You have excellent oral and writing skills in English.

We want to be a transparent institute with a healthy working climate and an inclusive culture, where people from diverse backgrounds and gender bring their talents and further develop these talents. We aim for inclusive decision-making processes and expect our leadership to show visible commitment, awareness of bias, and cultural intelligence.

CONDITIONS

• Employment of this full-time position at Royal NIOZ is by NWO-I for a duration of two years.
• Salary compliant with CAO-WVOI  (Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Research Institutes) scale 10 or 11 depending on relevant experience.
• The freedom to fulfill your role and space and opportunities for your personal (talent) development with the help of the NIOZ Academy.
• 338 annualized holiday hours for a full-time 40-hour work week.
• Pension scheme via ABP, 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.33%.
• 2nd class public transportation travel is reimbursed 100%.
• Employment benefits plan to exchange a portion of your salary for days off or vice versa, or can be used to purchase a bicycle with tax benefits.
• We offer relocation expenses for employees coming from abroad and support with finding accommodation.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Johan van der Molen. For additional information about the procedure, please send an e-mail to working@nioz.nl

Target starting date: 1 January 2025. Closing date for applications: 3 June 2024. Interviews are foreseen for 18 June 2024.