PhD Seasonal Timing of Egg Overwintering Insects under Climate Change - NIOO-KNAW - Wageningen

Project description

Climate change is exerting strong selection on wild populations, with many species showing shifts in the seasonal timing of development. One particularly vulnerable group are insect species that overwinter as eggs, with warmer winters leading to stronger population declines compared to other insect species. To predict whether insect populations can adapt to climate change, we need to know the amount of genetic variation in egg development time. However, we know little about the mechanisms underlying the temperature sensitivity of egg developmental time and to what extent these mechanisms are universal across insects.

What you will be doing

You will address this knowledge gap together with dr. Natalie van Dis and prof. dr. Marcel Visser, as part of an NWO ENW M2 grant funded in collaboration with dr. Maurijn van der Zee at the Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL). Your part of the project includes:

• Setting up large-scale field sampling of wild populations for 12 insect species including egg-overwintering true bugs, moths and grasshoppers (Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Orthoptera).
• Performing field monitoring of the timing of egg hatching for each wild population and species.
• Carrying out lab experiments to determine how egg development time of each species is affected by temperature and how the response differs between the different species.
• Combining temperature experiments with visualization of embryonic development using fluorescence microscopy to pinpoint in which embryonic stage the different species become temperature sensitive.

Carrying out this extensive trait characterization for a multitude of species will provide important insights into the adaptive potential of wild insect populations to climate change. You will communicate your work at conferences, in scientific publications, and in an academic thesis resulting in a PhD degree.

What we are looking for

• Highly motivated candidate who is eager to learn
• MSc in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Entomology or related field
• Strong interest in the ecology and evolution of insects
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an academic research team
• Excellent communication skills in spoken and written English
• Prior experience with field work, insect rearing, lab experiments, microscopy and statistical analysis in R is desirable, as is the possession of a valid driver’s license

What do we offer?

A fully funded PhD position of 4 years, including training and education opportunities, in the welcoming and stimulating Department of Animal Ecology. The department’s research is aimed at understanding the causes and consequences of variation in life-history traits, and runs weekly seminars, science lunches, and journal clubs to stimulate scientific discussion and exchange ideas. You will share an office space with other PhD candidates in the department and join an active community of researchers, postdocs, PhDs, research assistants and internship students.

More information

For informal inquiries and more information, do not hesitate to contact: Natalie van Dis, n.vandis@nioo.knaw.nl

More information on the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) and the Department of Animal Ecology can be found at the website: http://www.nioo.knaw.nl

Application procedure

Deadline for application is 7 December 2025. Interviews will be held in the week of 5-9 January 2026 and a decision will be taken before 19 January 2026. Preferred starting date is 15 February 2026.

About NIOO
The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO) is a national research institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). At NIOO we perform ecological research on biodiversity, climate change and sustainable use of land and water. We stimulate ecological research in the Netherlands and share our ecological knowledge with society. Everyone in our organisation is passionate about contributing to a sustainable world from their own area of expertise.

Terms of employment
Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is 3.059 and the maximum salary is 3.881 gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale P cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP.

The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment).  

For a complete overview of the terms of employment, please refer to the web page: werken bij de KNAW.

Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct can be part of the employment procedure.

Diversity & Inclusion
The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.

We will not respond to any supplier enquiries based on this job advertisement.