PhD Student in Ethnobotany: History, Archaeology, and Botany of Pacific Islands (Marie Curie Doctoral Network) Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Netherlands

This PhD position at Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden, the Netherlands, offers a unique opportunity to contribute to global biodiversity research within the Marie Curie Doctoral Network project, PacificPeopleForest. The project, titled 'History, Archaeology, and Botany of Pacific Islands: assessing the Long-Term Impacts of Early European colonialism on Peoples and Forests,' focuses on understanding how wild and domesticated plant use in the Mariana Islands changed with European colonialism and the introduction of non-native species. The research addresses the often-overlooked role of introduced species in defining native forests and aims to trace the history of plant introductions and uses through ancient and modern herbarium collections, historical documents, and interviews with local island communities.

The successful candidate will conduct fieldwork on Rota Island, collaborate with European partners, and disseminate findings through scientific publications and conference presentations. The PhD degree will be awarded by Wageningen University (WUR). The position is embedded in the Tropical Botany research group, supervised by Prof. Dr.

Tinde van Andel and Dr. Angelica Cibrian Jaramillo, and involves close collaboration with an international team of PhD students and experts across disciplines such as taxonomy, ethnobotany, ecology, genomics, and archaeology. The work environment includes access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, a vast natural history collection, and a vibrant academic and social PhD community.

The position offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and professional development opportunities. Applicants should have a Master’s degree in a relevant field (Ethnobotany, Biology, or Anthropology with a botanical focus), experience with herbarium specimens, strong organizational and English skills, and a collaborative, proactive approach to research.

The application deadline is November 23, 2025. For more information and to apply, visit the Academic Transfer link provided.