Early Career Postdoc: Seagrass nursery-plant ecophysiology and biogeochemistry for ecosystem restora

Job Details

The Department of Coastal Systems (COS) at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ-Texel) is looking for a highly motivated early career postdoctoral researcher to help develop a pilot-scale seagrass nursery that will support long-term, large-scale ecosystem restoration. We are looking for an experimental scientist with a background in aquatic or marine plant physiology, ecophysiology, biogeochemistry, or a related field, who is excited to apply fundamental knowledge of plant functioning to a major challenge in coastal ecosystem restoration.

You will take a leading scientific role in developing and optimizing seagrass cultivation in the pilot nursery. Through experiments ranging from aquaria to large outdoor cultivation units, you will unravel how nutrient availability, inorganic carbon, light and environmental cues affect seagrass growth and reproduction, and how these factors can be manipulated to optimize cultivation.

In your work, you will combine hypothesis-driven experimental research with hands-on development and optimization of a new seagrass cultivation system. You will work closely with NIOZ researchers, technical staff and external project partners, and translate your findings into practical cultivation protocols for producing seagrass restoration material at scale.

Requirements

You hold a PhD in a relevant discipline, such as plant physiology, plant ecophysiology, aquatic plant biology, marine botany, biogeochemistry or aquatic ecology, and have experience with hypothesis-driven experimental research. We particularly encourage applications from researchers with a strong background in plant physiology or biogeochemistry who are interested in applying their expertise to marine ecology and ecosystem restoration. Previous experience with seagrasses is an advantage but is not essential.

You enjoy combining rigorous experimental science with practical problem solving and are comfortable working hands-on with living plants, cultivation systems and monitoring equipment. You are able to analyse and interpret experimental data, communicate your findings clearly in English, and enjoy collaborating across disciplinary and organisational boundaries. An affinity with ecology and ecosystem restoration is essential.
 

Contact Information

Closing date for this vacancy is 15 October 2026. We aim to invite suitable candidates for an interview in November 2026.