Postdoc Position: Modelling Impacts of Agricultural Land Management Systems on Biodiversity

1. Introduction

Are you interested in understanding the effects of different agricultural management practices on biodiversity? As a Postdoc, you will contribute to new knowledge and tools to refine how impacts on biodiversity are captured in life cycle assessment for agricultural products.

2. Job description

Organic and regenerative agricultural systems aim to reconcile agricultural production with the protection or restoration of biodiversity. However, the biodiversity benefits of these agricultural systems are not yet well understood. As a result, life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies fall short in differentiating the biodiversity footprints of agricultural products originating from conventional and more nature-inclusive agricultural management systems.

The aims of this two-year postdoctoral project are:

1. To quantify and understand the effects of different agricultural management systems on biodiversity (such as impacts on species richness or species population sizes).
2. To develop and apply corresponding LCA characterisation factors able to distinguish biodiversity footprints of agricultural products originating from different systems and practices.

As a postdoctoral researcher in this project, you will first establish a database with measurements of biodiversity in agricultural and corresponding natural reference sites, to be collected from primary literature. Next, you will develop quantitative relationships describing how biodiversity responds to different agricultural land management systems. Third, you will develop LCA characterisation factors by integrating the biodiversity response estimates with maps of agricultural management systems in species-area models for different ecoregions. This will result in a set of LCA characterisation factors that enable quantifying the biodiversity footprints of agricultural products originating from different management systems. Finally, you will apply the new factors in a use case and document the findings in at least one scientific paper.

This project is a collaboration between Radboud University’s Department of Environmental Science and Unilever’s Safety, Environmental & Regulatory Science (SERS) group. As a postdoctoral researcher, you will be based at Radboud University, with regular meetings and exchanges with the Unilever team.

3. Profile

• You hold a PhD degree in ecology or environmental science.
• You have proven experience with quantitative analytical methods (meta-analysis, regression modelling, machine learning).
• You have a solid basis in at least one common high-level programming language (e.g. R, Python).
• You enjoy collaborative research in international, transdisciplinary teams.
• You have an excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) would be an asset but is not required.

4. We are

You will be based at the Department of Environmental Science of the Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences (RIBES). The mission of our department is to produce scientific knowledge to support sustainable transitions. To achieve this, we aim to understand, project and address the impact of anthropogenic pressures on ecosystems and humans from the landscape to the global scale. This enables us to explore and develop wide-ranging sustainable solutions for the environmental challenges the world faces today. We are a diverse group that fosters a pleasant, collaborative and lively atmosphere.

You will collaborate closely with scientists from Unilever’s Safety, Environmental & Regulatory Science (SERS) group. SERS is part of Unilever’s global R&D function, with a dedicated team of scientists including many that are internationally recognised as leaders in their fields, with expertise in chemistry, cell biology, microbiology, toxicology, process safety, exposure science, computational and mathematical modelling, informatics and data science, and regulatory and environmental and sustainability sciences. The environmental sustainability science team has supported Unilever in its ambition to be a global leader in sustainable business. Unilever has been using LCA approaches for many years to assess the environmental impact of its products. The environmental sustainability science team looks to apply current scientific knowledge and impact assessment expertise while also continuing to develop new science and approaches.

5. We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract of 2 years.
• Your salary within salary scale 10 depends on your previous education and number of years of (relevant) work experience. The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour working week.
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus. 
• We offer Dual Career Coaching. The Dual Career Coaching assists your partner via support, tools, and resources to improve their chances of independently finding employment in the Netherlands. 
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20. 

6. Practical information and applying

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Koen Kuipers. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application. We look forward to receiving your application.

The first interviews will take place on Wednesday 17 December. You will preferably start your employment on 1 March 2026.

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates. If you wish to apply for a non-scientific position with a non-EU nationality, please take notice of the following information. 

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