What you will be doing
How can we bring together ecological and social knowledge to support a nature-positive energy transition? The SPARKLES project (SPARKing a nature-positive future of floating solar for humans and nature across LandscapES) aims to develop sustainable, nature-inclusive solutions for floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems on inland waters. By connecting energy science, ecology and governance, the project seeks to understand how floating solar can be developed in ways that benefit both people and nature.
We are looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to help integrate existing research, datasets and insights from across SPARKLES into a coherent landscape-scale perspective. While individual studies within the project address different environmental, technological and societal aspects of floating solar, this position will focus on bringing these strands together to understand their interactions across landscapes.
You will identify, harmonise and integrate diverse data sources, including environmental and ecological data alongside social, spatial and governance-related information. You will explore how these sources can be combined to identify patterns, relationships and potential synergies or trade-offs between renewable energy production, ecological functioning and societal values. A key aim is to move beyond individual sites or disciplines and develop an integrated understanding of floating solar within the wider landscape.
Working closely with researchers and partners across the SPARKLES consortium, you will build on existing project outputs rather than working in isolation. You will assess data availability and compatibility, develop an appropriate analytical and spatial framework, and translate the resulting insights into scientific outputs and knowledge that can inform responsible, nature-inclusive development of floating solar.
The position is for 18 months at 0.8 FTE, with an intended start date of 1 February 2027.
What you will be contributing
We are looking for a researcher who enjoys working across disciplinary boundaries and can connect diverse datasets and perspectives into a coherent analytical framework. You have:
- A PhD in ecology, environmental science, geography, landscape science, environmental modelling, sustainability science or a related discipline.
- Experience working with spatial and environmental datasets, and a strong interest in integrating different types of data to address landscape-scale research questions.
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including experience with GIS and statistical or spatial data analysis. Experience with R or Python is an advantage.
- The ability to critically assess datasets from different sources, understand their limitations and scales, and develop robust approaches for combining and interpreting them.
- An interest in interdisciplinary research at the interface of environmental science and social science, particularly in relation to land and water use, renewable energy, biodiversity and societal values.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work independently while engaging constructively with researchers from different disciplines.
Experience with landscape-scale assessments, environmental indicators, scenario analysis, data harmonisation or the integration of ecological and social data would be an advantage. We welcome candidates who bring complementary expertise and are motivated to connect existing knowledge in new ways.
What do we offer?
We offer an engaging postdoctoral position at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), where you will contribute to an interdisciplinary research project addressing an important societal challenge: how to combine renewable energy generation with healthy ecosystems and benefits for people.
You will have the opportunity to work with existing data and research outputs from across SPARKLES, collaborate with researchers from different scientific backgrounds, and help shape an integrated landscape perspective with relevance for both science and practice. The position offers scope to develop your own analytical approach while contributing to shared project objectives and scientific publications.
The appointment is for 18 months, at 0.8 FTE (32 hours per week), starting on 1 February 2027. Salary and other employment conditions will be in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities/Academy, depending on qualifications and experience.
Your workplace
NIOO-KNAW is one of the leading ecological research institutes in the Netherlands. Based in Wageningen, the institute conducts fundamental and applied research into how nature works, from individual organisms to entire ecosystems, and how ecological knowledge can contribute to a sustainable future.
You will be based at NIOO-KNAW and work within the SPARKLES research consortium, collaborating with colleagues working on aquatic and terrestrial ecology, energy systems, governance and societal dimensions of floating solar.
More information
For further information about the position, please contact:
Dr. Sven Teurlincx
s.teurlincx@nioo.knaw.nl
More information about SPARKLES: https://sparkles.nioo.knaw.nl/en
More information about NIOO-KNAW: https://nioo.knaw.nl/en
Application procedure
To apply, please submit your CV, a motivation letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the position, and the contact details of 2 referees.
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 and benefits
- A salary of 3.706 to 5.760 gross per month based on a full-time position (salary scale 10, Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities/KNAW), depending on your qualifications and experience.
- 29 vacation days per year based on a full-time position, with the option to increase this to 41 days by working two extra hours per week.
- An 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus in addition to your salary.
- Fully covered public transport costs for your commute through an NS Business Card.
- A good pension scheme through ABP, with the KNAW covering approximately two thirds of the pension contribution.
- The option to tailor part of your employment conditions through the Flexible Benefits Model (Keuzemodel Arbeidsvoorwaarden), for example by buying or selling leave days or receiving a contribution towards a bicycle or sports subscription.
- Access to training, coaching, and career guidance through our Centre for Career and Development.
- A working environment where we actively promote diversity, inclusion, and social safety.
For a full overview of our terms of employment and the other benefits of working at the KNAW, visit our Working at the KNAW page.
We will not respond to any recruitment enquiries regarding this vacancy.