Wageningen University & Research
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PhD in local food web dynamics within offshore wind farms Wageningen University & Research in Netherlands
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Environmental Science
Funding
Fully funded PhD position. Gross salary starts at €3,204 per month in the first year and rises to €4,051 per month in the fourth year, based on a 38-hour work week. The contract is temporary for 18 months and may be extended for the project duration if performance is good.
Deadline
Oct 20, 2026
Country
Netherlands
University
Wageningen University & Research

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About this position
Wageningen University & Research is recruiting for a fully funded PhD position on local food web dynamics within offshore wind farms in the North Sea POWER consortium (Progress in Offshore Wind Ecological Research).
The project focuses on how biofouling communities in offshore wind farms affect primary and secondary production, carbon cycling, and blue carbon sequestration in the seabed. The work combines laboratory experiments, in-situ fieldwork, and ecosystem modelling to improve ecological understanding and support environmental impact assessments for offshore wind development.
You will be hosted at Wageningen Marine Research in Den Helder, the Netherlands, and work closely with the Marine Animal Ecology Group at Wageningen University & Research. The project is part of a larger consortium with shared meetings, fieldwork, and training across multiple PhD and postdoc positions.
Research topics include grazing rates, carbon biomass, prey preferences, particle export, faeces sinking velocity, fouling species, eDNA, and DNA metabarcoding. The role also includes publishing in peer-reviewed journals, presenting at conferences, and mentoring BSc/MSc students.
Eligibility highlights: a master’s degree in Biology, Marine Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a closely related field; experience with laboratory experiments and ecological fieldwork; interest in ecological modelling and data analysis; strong quantitative and technical skills; and excellent English (minimum CEFR C2).
Funding: fully funded PhD with salary from €3,204 per month in year 1 to €4,051 per month in year 4, plus standard WUR employment benefits. The contract is initially for 18 months and may be extended for the project duration.
Deadline: 20 October 2026. Apply via the WUR vacancy page using the online application button. Submit a CV (max 2 pages) and motivation letter (max 1 page); total documents must not exceed 3 pages. Transcripts are not required at this stage.
Funding details
Fully funded PhD position. Gross salary starts at €3,204 per month in the first year and rises to €4,051 per month in the fourth year, based on a 38-hour work week. The contract is temporary for 18 months and may be extended for the project duration if performance is good.
What's required
Applicants must have a master’s degree, or be able to graduate before the appointment date, in Biology, Marine Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a closely related field. Required or preferred experience includes hands-on laboratory experiments, ecological fieldwork, ecological modelling, and data analysis. Candidates should have a strong interest in marine ecology and multidisciplinary research, strong quantitative and preferably technical skills, the ability to work independently, strong collaborative skills, and excellent written and oral English at minimum CEFR C2 level.
How to apply
Apply through the apply button on the vacancy page on the WUR website. Submit a CV of max. 2 pages and a motivation letter of max. 1 page; total documents must not exceed 3 pages. Do not send transcripts at this stage.
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