项目介绍

2024年12月3日

About the position

This PhD project aims to advance fundamental understanding of the complex dynamics and the interdependencies of the physical, ecological, and political components involved in “coastal squeezing” (i.e., when natural and anthropogenic pressures, from both seaward and landward directions, restrict coastal areas). Coastal squeezing, both within the Netherlands and around the world, threatens the resilience and increases the vulnerability of coastal communities and coastal ecology. Addressing these impacts on coastal systems requires a multidisciplinary approach.

The work of the PhD can range from analyzing and modeling coastal morphodynamics, identifying creative and effective intervention strategies, assessing their political feasibility and ethical desirability, and engaging local stakeholders. The project will be jointly supervised by a coastal morphologist and a climate ethicist, and will engage with a wider interdisciplinary network at the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) and across the Netherlands. The PhD will be encouraged to help shape the project in accordance with their own vision and expertise. 

What are you going to do?

Your work will help identify the central driving forces behind coastal squeezing and assess possible intervention strategies. Your work will help form an essential bridge between our understanding of natural processes across time (e.g., current and wave dynamics, sediment transport, ecological change), and the social, political, and economic realities of possible interventions (e.g., bigger scale or self-reinforcing nourishments like the sand motor; coastal realignment; adjusting flooding strategies; influencing waves and streams by triggering morphological, sea life and vegetation responses to interventions; implementing breakwaters; relocating dikes). By applying morphodynamic models on a range of focal systems (including deltas, estuaries, and sandy beaches), you will help unravel critical dynamics relevant to sustainable coastal management. We have preliminarily identified the Dutch Coast and the Western Scheldt Estuary,  the Mississippi Delta, and the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the U.S. as focal systems, but candidate interest will help finalize the selection. Through robust collaboration with local stakeholders, your work will help generate and evaluate possible futures, their tradeoffs, and concrete action pathways that are directly relevant for decision makers. The project is a unique opportunity for you to integrate both empirical and ethical analysis on a matter of high local and global importance. 

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Conduct independent, fundamental, interdisciplinary research leading to a Ph.D. thesis within the official appointment duration of four years
• Engage robustly with coastal communities, policymakers, and other stakeholders
• Build international network and exchange findings at relevant conferences and workshops
• Actively participate in departmental life (attend meetings, seminars, workshops, etc.)
• Contribute to education programs within the faculty (about 10% of your time)

Your profile

We are looking for someone, preferably with a background in natural sciences, who is motivated to address big challenges, is willing to think creatively, and possess a natural curiosity to unravel nature’s dynamics. You should value being part of a team, and look for opportunities to help co-create the team dynamic, while also being able to work independently. Given the multidisciplinary nature of the project, it is important that you can communicate effectively in academic and non-academic settings. While we do not expect you to have specific training in ethics, politics, or economics, you should have the willingness to gain knowledge in these fields and appreciate the importance of integrating insights from them with the natural sciences.

Your experience and profile:

• MSc in Earth Sciences (Geomorphology, Hydrodynamics, Coastal System Management, Physics, or related background) or, alternatively, a MSc in Ethics, Politics, Political Economy, Political Ecology, or similar, with a keen interest in learning about Earth sciences and coastal system science.
• Experience with and/or interest in working with process-based numerical models, preferably with morphodynamic or hydrodynamic models, or the willingness to learn.
• Affinity with or interest in scientific computer programming (e.g., R, Matlab, Python)
• Strong interest in interdisciplinary and stakeholder collaboration
• Interest in values-based policy/management decisions
• Professional command of English (knowledge of Dutch is a plus, but not required)

Your application & contact

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 button below. We accept applications until and including January 6th, 2025.

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

• a detailed CV;
• a letter of motivation;
• 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 2025.

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

• Cynthia Maan, Assistant Professor (c.maan@uva.nl)
• Colin Hickey, Assistant Professor (c.j.hickey@uva.nl)