Are you an enthusiastic environmental scientist with a strong affinity for nature-based solutions, biodiversity, and environmental protection and restoration? Great! We have an interesting job for you! How would you like to combine scientific, societal, and economic pathways to make impact towards an improved ecological status of European lakes?

What can you expect as a Project Researcher?

As a Project Researcher you will be full-time dedicated to the FutureLakes project and responsible for the work package that Deltares leads. This implies you have a leading contribution to the Blueprint by evaluating lessons learnt in the demo sites and translating these finding into overarching guiding principles. You will also participate in other work packages, be part of various stakeholder activities and travel to all consortium meetings. Together with three other Deltares colleagues you will form the FutureLakes-team.  Two team members are ecologist with knowledge of Lake IJssel and one researcher on governance and financing of nature based solutions.

Your main tasks are: 

• Collect and integrate information on measures for lake restoration in the six large European lakes (demo-basins).
• Design inspirational ways to stimulate knowledge exchange between the six demo-basins and translate results of the partners for input in stakeholder dialogues.
• Using co-creation methods, you will integrate the building blocks of different work packages and design the Blueprint with the people from the six demo-basins.
• Contribute to the smooth running of the various tasks within the overarching project for which Deltares is responsible, including preparation and running of workshops and writing of deliverables.
• Share your findings and results about FutureLakes with Deltares colleagues, consortium partners and their stakeholders.
• You will stimulate interdisciplinary cooperation (combining governance, socio-economics, financing, water quantity, water quality and ecology) .

This project researcher position is based at Deltares (Delft or Utrecht office).

Job qualifications 

• You have at least 2-3 years of research experience in the field of water management, ecology or environmental science and successfully obtained a MSc degree in this field.
• You enjoy translating scientific output into information relevant for stakeholder dialogues and guiding principles for stakeholders.
• You have knowledge of water related ecology, nature based solutions, stakeholder engagement and socio-economics.  And you have a keen curiosity to further develop this knowledge and become an expert!
• Preferably some knowledge on the networks and issues at the Dutch demo site Lake IJssel.
• Experience with quantitative research methods, such as hydrological or ecological modelling and data analysis. More importantly, you can translate that knowledge to stakeholder dialogues.
• You have good writing skills.

We are open to candidates from varied backgrounds with a strong motivation to learn new methods and do research in a European setting. Fluency in English is required and basic Dutch to facilitate communication with local stakeholders is an asset. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience with Integrated lake management studies with an ecological focus and a demonstrated ability to translate this to other research domains.

The project

This position is part of the overarching EU project ‘FutureLakes’. The objective of FutureLakes is aiming for more climate resilient lakes. We do this by demonstrate innovative solutions to significantly improve ecological and chemical status of European lakes, restore biodiversity, recover valuable resources, and enhance the services that lakes provide. The impact of climate change and role of governance and stakeholder engagement in achieving goals also play an important role in the project.

FutureLakes studies the various solutions in an operational setting in six large European lakes and their related surrounding catchment (Demo-Basins). The project will deliver a Blueprint for lake protection and restoration. Deltares main task is to bring together the building blocks for the Blueprint from various outputs of the project.

Offer

• We offer a temporary position (1.0 FTE) at Deltares for the duration of the project (2,5-year). Furthermore, we offer:
• Excellent training opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• Deltares offers a market conform salary. Scaling will be based on your experience;
• ABP average salary pension, 34 days of vacation, vitality budget and a mobility budget;
• You will be hired for the duration of the project. After this assignment, there is the option to discuss the possibilities of continuing employment within Deltares. Deltares has an open, inclusive and collaborative culture;
• Here you can find more information about our attractive terms of employment.

Starting date October 1st l

Additional Information

For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Sacha de Rijk (Co-coordinator of FutureLakes) at sacha.derijk@deltares.nl

How to apply

Are you interested in this vacancy and do your qualities match the job profile? Then apply directly via the apply button and upload your CV and motivation letter. Deadline July 10th. First interviews will be held in the week of July 15th. Do you have questions about the vacancy? Please contact Timo Wilbrink (HR Recruitment Officer) timo.wilbrink@deltares.nl, +31611107269