PhD Position on the Ecology of Human-Large Grazers Interactions

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WorkplaceUtrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
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PhD Position on the Ecology of Human-Large Grazers Interactions

Faculty: Faculty of Geosciences Department: Department of Sustainable Development Hours per week: 36 to 40 Application deadline:



Join WildlifeNL as a PhD candidate on the Ecology of Human-Large Grazer Interactions. In the context of increasing wildlife populations and free-roaming large grazers in the Netherlands, this position involves studying behavioural interactions between large grazers and recreationists. You will utilise innovative technological tools and engage in fieldwork to explore the dynamics of these interactions and develop strategies to minimise conflicts. Collaborate with us to promote sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife.

Your job

Numbers of several wild mammal species are increasing in the Dutch landscape, while free-roaming cattle and horses (hereafter, large grazers) are also increasingly used in nature management. For a densely populated country like the Netherlands, this means that there are constant interactions between people and wild mammals or large grazers. While these are often experienced as positive, they also sometimes lead to conflicts: between people and animals, or between people. With a broad consortium of researchers and societal partners, WildlifeNL studies ways to support coexistence between humans and wildlife. We investigate the interactions between humans and animals, and explore how the behaviour of wildlife and humans can be influenced in such a way that a low-conflict coexistence of humans and wildlife becomes possible. The research is approached through diverse scientific disciplines in close cooperation with various societal partners, such as nature managers, farmers, hunters, animal welfare organisations and government agencies. We are currently looking for a team of six PhD candidates with backgrounds in ecology, social science and philosophy.

As a PhD candidate in Ecology of Human-Large Grazers Interactions, you, as part of the WildlifeNL team, will focus on studying the behavioural interactions between large grazers and recreationists in two living labs, Grenspark KempenBroek and Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland. You will use technological tools to firstly better understand how and why recreationists and large grazers react to each other and in certain cases come into conflict. You will pay special attention to different types of recreationists and different species and breeds of large grazers and to the role of landscape factors. You will also investigate how wildness can be defined and may play a role in interactions between large grazers and recreationists. In a second phase, you will apply the acquired knowledge to test interventions, partly again with technological tools, that can influence animal and human behaviour in such a way that fewer conflicts arise between large grazers and recreationists. You will study all of this from a natural scientific, behavioural ecology, perspective. You will work closely with the other WildlifeNL PhD candidates to work towards novel strategies to promote human-wildlife coexistence.

Your qualities

  • You have a Master’s degree in Ecology or a similar field.
  • You are fluent in both spoken and written English.
  • You have demonstrable experience with advanced statistical models in R. Experience with GLMMs and the analysis of animal movement data is preferred.
  • You are flexible and open-minded and have excellent communication skills. You have demonstrable communication with diverse stakeholders (e.g., different disciplines or societal actors).
  • You have a collaborative spirit and the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team of other PhD candidates, senior scientists, and societal partners.
  • You have strong skills in academic writing, and published work as the first author (or high-quality unpublished work) will be considered an advantage.
  • You have a strong interest in working inter- and transdisciplinary and in human-wildlife interactions and their management.
  • You can demonstrate a clear affinity with stakeholder engagement, preferably you have experience in this, particularly in relation to stakeholders relevant to the job description.
  • You can demonstrate an affinity with societally relevant and/or applied research.
  • You have demonstrable experience with ecological fieldwork, ideally related to the job description (e.g. with behavioural ecology work on large mammals) and for extended periods (months).
  • You have a strong affinity with communication as a means to influence human-animal interactions.
  • You are willing to do long periods of fieldwork (many months per year).

Our offer

We offer:

  • a position for one year, with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
  • a gross monthly salary between ¤2,872 and ¤3,670 in the 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 has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development , leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities , as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University .

About us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University , the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes . Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow .

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth - always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

More information

For more information about this position, please contact Joris Cromsigt at j.p.g.m.cromsigtuu.nl .

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.

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation via the ’apply now’ button. If you are applying for multiple PhD positions within WildlifeNL, we expect you to submit individualised applications for each position. Please also mention in your application that you have applied for other positions within the collective call.

The first round of interviews will be held on Tuesday 26 November between 1pm and 5pm.



The application deadline is 31 October 2024.

In your application, please refer to myScience.org and reference JobID 2967631.