1 PhD position (m/f) in Netherlands | Royal Netherlands Academy for Arts and Sciences (KNAW)

According to ecological stoichiometry, consumers require biogenic elements (e.g. C, N, and P) in specific ratios and deviations from these ratios in food resources may result in lowered growth rates, fecundity and survival. A variety of consumer organisms have been shown to harbor substantial intra-specific genetic variation for the ability to cope with such elemental imbalances. An important implication is that stoichiometric imbalances can thus potentially be an important selection factor causing rapid micro-evolutionary adaptations in natural consumer populations. In this project, we will make use of genotypes of the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus that have adapted to imbalanced food in a laboratory selection experiment. Through the combination of common garden experiments and mathematical modeling, we will study how rotifers adapt to stoichiometric imbalances and which are the consequences of such adaptations for elemental cycling, phytoplankton productivity and predator-prey interactions.

Requirements

• Highly motivated candidate with a degree in aquatic ecology or evolutionary ecology or a closely related field, interested in the combination of empirical work with modeling.
• Experience with designing and executing laboratory experiments; mathematical and/or statistical modeling; the application of molecular techniques
• Creative, critical and conceptual thinking skills
• Good communication and writing abilities in English
• Willingness to live in the close neighborhood of Wageningen

Conditions of employment

Appointment: This is a temporary appointment, initially for 1 year and upon satisfactory to be prolonged for a maximum of 4 years total.

Salary: The gross salary starts at € 2.083, - per month in the 1st year, and will gradually increase to a maximum of € 2.664, - per month in the 4th year, scale P, Collective Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO Nederlandse Universiteiten), excluding 8% holiday pay and a year-end bonus. We offer an extensive package of fringe benefits.

Contract type: Temporary, initially for 1 year.

Organisation

The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) is a top research institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). NIOO-KNAW focuses on fundamental and strategic research on individual organisms, populations, ecological communities, and ecosystems.