1 Phd position in the relative importance of wild pollinators as an agricultural input in seed production in Netherlands | Wageningen UR

Ecosystem services, such as pollination of crops by wild insects, are playing an increasingly important role in the challenge to meet the rising demands for agricultural products while minimizing the negative environmental impacts of the production process. However, more insight is required in fundamental ecological processes to fully capitalize on the benefits provided by nature. Here we examine how wild pollinators can be used to replace or supplement traditional agricultural inputs such as fertilizers and irrigation. Using hybrid leek (Allium porrum) seed production in southern Europe as our model system the candidate PhD student examines the contribution of pollinators to seed production relative to that of agricultural management. He/she furthermore examines how the direct effects of agricultural management on seed production, through provision of agro-chemicals and water, interact with pollination services provided by pollinators. Finally, the candidate examines whether abundance or species richness is more important for pollination service delivery in real-world landscapes. The insights of these studies will be used to formulate effective strategies that combine the effects of pollinators and agricultural inputs to cost-effectively optimize leek seed production as well as promote wild pollinators.

Requirements

We are looking for an enthusiastic science-driven candidate with an MSc in Biology, Ecology or Entomology. The successful candidate should be motivated to pursue a scientific career, be interested in biodiversity conservation on farmland and have good written and verbal communication skills. Experience with (1) ecological studies on insects, (2) field studies abroad and (3) publishing in international peer-reviewed journals will beconsidered benefits.

Conditions of employment

A full-time appointment (1.0 fte, 38 hours/week) for a period of 12 months with extension of 36 months. Salary ranges from € 2125,- (gross) in the first year to € 2717,-(gross) in the fourth year based on full-time employment.

Organisation

Wageningen UR

The Resource Ecology Group focuses on understanding the ecology of animals and plants in their natural environment. The outcomes of this research are used for nature conservation and for understanding how animals distribute through the landscape. While the research culture of our group is clearly driven by an (evolutionary) ecology perspective, interdisciplinary work is important too, with the cooperation with economy and livestock sciences. Understanding ecosystems in light of the 'grand challenges' such as human population shrinkage, ageing and mobility, but also resource extraction and food and fibre production, increasingly form the focus of its research programme. The group is strongly international in terms of staff culture, student body, and theoretical and empirical work. The group is embedded in the department of Environmental Sciences (ESG) of Wageningen University. ESG provides fundamental research and academic education on our living environment: nature, landscape, land use, adaptation to climate change, water and ocean management, and the various competing claims on space. This also includes biodiversity and the sustainability of management and production. Wageningen University is part of the Wageningen University and Research Centre concern.