Postdoc Position: Deep-sea Prey and Environment NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research in Netherlands

The Department of Coastal Systems (COS) at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) invites applications for a postdoctoral position focused on deep-sea prey and environmental dynamics. This role is part of the NWO-Vidi project “Tracing top predator-prey interactions into the deep sea,” led by Dr. Fleur Visser. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team investigating the ecological interactions between cetaceans and their prey in the deep sea, with research spanning the North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea.

NIOZ is the Dutch national oceanographic institute, renowned for its excellence in multidisciplinary marine research, education, and policy development. The COS department integrates laboratory, field, and modelling studies to understand marine species and food web dynamics, examining how physical, chemical, and biological processes shape marine ecosystems from coastal to pelagic environments.

This postdoc position addresses the critical knowledge gap in deep-sea ecology, focusing on predator-prey interactions and environmental factors that influence marine biodiversity and biomass. The project employs advanced techniques for joint sampling of animals and their environment, including echo sounders, moored sensors, hydrophones, cameras, environmental DNA analysis, and remote sensing. The postdoc will design and conduct sea-going research cruises and laboratory analyses to characterize deep-sea prey fields and their environmental context, contributing to the development of indicators for deep ocean conservation.

Applicants should have a PhD in marine ecology, biology, oceanography, or a related discipline, with at least two years of postdoctoral research experience. Expertise in pelagic active acoustics, deep-sea ecological research, and programming (R, Python, Matlab) is highly desirable. The ideal candidate will be independent, collaborative, and well-organized, with a strong track record in fieldwork, data integration, and presentation. Participation in seagoing expeditions and regular team meetings is expected, as is openness to interdisciplinary research and data sharing within an international consortium.

Employment is full-time for two years, with a possible extension. The position offers a competitive salary (CAO-WVOI scale 10 or 11), pension scheme, holiday allowance, year-end bonus, generous annual leave, full reimbursement of public transportation, and relocation support for international hires. The COS department is located on Texel Island, offering a unique research environment adjacent to the World Heritage Wadden Sea and convenient access to the mainland.

To apply, submit a letter of motivation, CV, and contact information for at least two references via the application portal. The cover letter should detail your motivation and relevant experience. The application deadline is January 26, 2026. Online pre-interviews are scheduled for early February, with in-person interviews in the third week of February. The anticipated start date is April 1, 2026, or shortly thereafter.

For further information about the vacancy, contact Dr. Fleur Visser. For procedural questions, email [email protected].