PhD student: Land use change and ecosystem services

In the VOLANTE project funded by the European Commission 14 institutes collaborate to design new methodologies and integrated models to analyse human-environment interactions, feedbacks in land use systems, hotspots of land use transitions and identify critical thresholds in land system dynamics. This research contributes to the development of multifunctional and sustainable pathways of land system change. Within this project the PhD student will develop novel approaches for analyzing the linkage between global and local scale processes of land use change. For this purpose the PhD student will develop spatially explicit multi-agent modelling systems that are driven by the demand for multiple ecosystem services. The PhD student will collaborate intensively with other PhD students and staff in this project and publish the results as peer-reviewed papers.

Profile Description: A completed Msc degree in the field of geography; environmental sciences or human ecology; affinity with an interdisciplinary working environment; excellent research and publication skills, proven by past accomplishments; experience with GIS analysis and quantitative research methods.

Benefits: The initial appointment will be for a period of 1 year. After satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, it can be extended for a total duration of 4 years. You can find information about our excellent fringe benefits of employment at http://www.workingatvu.nl like remuneration of 8,3% end-of-year bonus and 8% holiday allowance; generous contribution (70%) commuting allowance based on public transport; discounts on collective insurances (healthcare- and car insurance). The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel, and amounts € 2.042,- gross per month in the first year up to € 2.612,- in the fourth year (salary scale 85) based on a full-time employment.

Location
VU University Amsterdam (VU), De Boelelaan 1105

1081 HV - Amsterdam
NETHERLANDS

Deadline
9th May 2011

Link
http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess/index.cfm/jobs/jobDetails/33689079