PhD Candidate on impacts of nitrogen deposition on tree-soil relations

16 Jan 2026
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Utrecht University

Research Field

Agricultural sciences » Forest sciences
Agricultural sciences » Soil science

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Application Deadline

3 Mar 2026 - 22:59 (UTC)

Country

Netherlands

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

40.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Are you fascinated by how nitrogen deposition and soil processes shape forest health under environmental stressors? Join our interdisciplinary research project at the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS) as a PhD candidate investigating the impacts of nitrogen deposition and soil acidification on microbial communities and forest vitality. You will explore how changes in soil microbial diversity affect tree growth, survival, and drought sensitivity in weakly buffered forest ecosystems.
Your job
Nitrogen deposition in the Netherlands leads to an accumulation of nitrogen compounds in the soil and, in forest areas with weakly buffering soils, to soil acidification. This acidification causes shifts in the uptake capacity of soil minerals, which limits the growth and survival of vegetation. In such weakly buffered systems eutrophication and acidification may additionally interact with the drought sensitivity of tree species, which are becoming more severe due to climate change and resulting in increased forest mortality. Increased tree mortality might be the result of deteriorating microbial (soil) communities that are also affected by these stress factors and this may lead to shifts in microbial species composition and ultimately reducing soil’s water-holding capacity. The spatial distributions of such soil communities, the changes in (functional) diversity of these soil communities in relation to nitrogen deposition and acidification, and their relationships with forest vitality are still largely unknown. In this project you will:

• Study the extent to which nitrogen deposition and soil acidification alter microbial communities in the soil and the effects changes in soil microbial communities have on forest stands (growth and survival);
• You will carry out field work in nitrogen deposition gradients in forests from sandy soils in the Netherlands and abroad;
• During field work carry out soil sampling and tree growth measurements using dendrometers;
• Carry out laboratory experiments on collected forest soils by studying genetic (PCR) analyses, phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) analyses, microbial biomass, soil carbon, respiration and enzymatic activities.

The project is embedded in a larger nitrogen deposition project in which spatial and temporal patterns in nitrogen deposition and air concentrations are measured and modelled

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/jobs/357793/phd-candidate-on-impacts-of-nit…

Requirements
Specific Requirements

• An MSc degree in ecology, preferably with specialization in soil microbial ecology, and interest in tree growth measurements and analyses;
• strong skills in field and laboratory work, such as soil sampling, microbial analyses, experimental designs and applying (multivariate) statistical techniques;
• excellent written and verbal communication skills in English;
• independence, eagerness to learn and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.

Additional Information
Benefits

• A position for one year, extended to four years upon a positive evaluation in the first year;
• a working week of 32-40 hours and a gross monthly salary between €3,059 and €3,881 in case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development , various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities . You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University .

Selection process

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.
Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology.
To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation, via the ‘apply now’ button.

Additional comments

For more information, please contact dr. René Verburg at r.w.verburg@uu.nl , dr. Daniel Martins Figueiredo at d.m.figueiredo@uu.nl or Professor Roel Vermeulen r.c.h.vermeulen@uu.nl .
Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/357793/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Universiteit Utrecht

Country

Netherlands

City

Utrecht

Postal Code

3584CM

Street

Yalelaan 2

Geofield

Contact

City

Utrecht

Website

http://www.uu.nl/

Street

Domplein 29

Postal Code

3512 JE

STATUS: EXPIRED

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