PhD position Spatial-temporal dynamics of Black-tailed Godwit habitat use and fo

Department

Campus Fryslân

Organisation

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, V25.0316

Job description

We are looking to hire one PhD student within the European Union Project LIFE IP GrassBirdsHabitats (www.grassbirdhabitats.eu) to work on a research project on spatial and foraging ecology of Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa limosa in Senegal, West Africa. This 4-year PhD position is embedded within a vibrant and internationally recognized academic environment at the University of Groningen (RUG) at the Faculty of Campus Fryslân in collaboration with the interfaculty research centre BirdEyes Centre for Global Ecological Change.

Background
West Africa serves as a crucial non-breeding destination for the European breeding population of Black-tailed Godwits, with Senegal playing a particularly vital role. The wetlands and floodplains of Senegal provide essential habitat during the non-breeding season. However, the dynamics of habitat use, especially the shift between wetlands and rice fields, the habitat quality, and the influence of anthropogenic activities and climate change, remain poorly understood.

This PhD research will be supported and funded by the LIFE IP GrassBirdHabitats project, an EU-funded initiative dedicated to the conservation of grassland birds and their habitats along the East Atlantic Flyway. The project focuses on creating and connecting optimal breeding and non-breeding areas for species like the Black-tailed Godwit. The project implements meadow bird-friendly measures in project areas in Lower Saxony, Germany, and Fryslân, Netherlands, and is developing a Strategic Conservation Plan for meadow bird habitats in Western Europe and West Africa, including habitat restoration plans and strategies for non-breeding areas. The main objective is to boost the populations of wet grassland breeding birds by increasing reproduction rates and improving return rates from wintering areas. This project directly contributes to the LIFE IP GrassBirdHabitats' broader goals by providing detailed insights into the spatial-temporal dynamics of Black-tailed Godwit habitat use in Senegal, a critical non-breeding residency site.

Job Description
This project aims to investigate the spatial-temporal dynamics of Black-tailed Godwit distribution, habitat use, and foraging ecology in Senegal, focusing on the interplay between natural wetlands and agricultural landscapes. By employing a comparative framework across sites with varying levels of human and climate change pressures, this research will elucidate how agricultural intensification and wetland degradation impact habitat quality and site use throughout the non-breeding season. Specifically, the project seeks to:

1. Characterize the spatial and temporal patterns of Black-tailed Godwit distribution and abundance during the non-breeding season
2. Assess habitat quality for Black-tailed Godwits: comparing natural wetlands and different rice field types in Senegal
3. Foraging ecology of Black-tailed Godwits in Senegal: Diet and behaviour in wetlands and agricultural landscapes
4. Effect of restoration of degraded wetlands on Black-tailed Godwit and other migratory waterbird habitat quality and function
5. Experimental evaluation of agro-ecological rice farming for biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods

The selected candidate will be encouraged to integrate his own vision on the structure of the PhD and will have the freedom to reshape the research projects within the general boundaries of the subject of spatial and foraging ecology and habitat use of Black-tailed Godwits and other migratory grassland birds in West Africa. In addition, the candidate will have the opportunity to be part and be trained in field work to catch, colour-ring, and deploy GPS tags on Black-tailed Godwits in West Africa and in Europe. A significant data set of tracking data will be available to be used for the PhD research project as adequate.

This position is one of two PhD positions hired on this project, and therefore, collaborative work between the two successful candidates is expected.

The candidate is also expected to contribute to teaching for the MSc course in ornithology of the University Gaston Berger, in Senegal, by dedicating up to 2-weeks per year of their time during the first two years of the PhD, and to supervise MSc student projects. In the third year, the candidate is expected to participate in teaching activities at the University of Groningen.

Organisation
Established in 1614, the University of Groningen is a leading international research university with a rich academic tradition and a global outlook. It consistently ranks among the top 100 universities worldwide and is renowned for its high-quality research and education. Flexible study programmes and academic career opportunities in a wide variety of disciplines encourage the 34,000 students and researchers alike to develop their own individual talents. The RUG offers a diverse and stimulating environment for PhD students, characterized by excellence in research, an international community, comprehensive resources, and a strong reputation and network.

Located in Leeuwarden, the capital of the province of Fryslân, Campus Fryslân (CF) is an interdisciplinary faculty of the University of Groningen dedicated to addressing grand societal challenges. Campus Fryslân distinguishes itself through its focus on societal challenges, interdisciplinary approach, regional engagement, and personalized environment. Situated within CF, the Knowledge Infrastructure department (KI) focuses on the development and critical analysis of knowledge infrastructures that support sustainability and livable futures. The department conducts multi- and transdisciplinary research to address complex socio-environmental issues, such as climate change and biodiversity loss, by exploring how these infrastructures facilitate or hinder sustainable scientific knowledge production. This research includes examining the potential of digital technologies and data flows to contribute to collective action and policy change. PhD students at the KI Department will receive training in critical infrastructure studies, sustainability science, and interdisciplinary research methodologies. The department offers access to cutting-edge research projects, collaborative networks, and opportunities to contribute to the development of innovative tools and insights that aim to improve knowledge infrastructures and address pressing global challenges.

The BirdEyes Centre for Global Ecological Change is a science and creative hub that utilizes bird-borne tracking technology to generate and analyze vast datasets related to ecological change. By combining data from transmitters, loggers, and other high-tech devices with diverse information sources, BirdEyes aims to create a novel knowledge network. The centre, situated within the Faculties of Science & Engineering and Campus Fryslân, and affiliated with the Rudolph Agricola School for Sustainable Development, focuses on innovative approaches to data analysis and science communication. PhD students at BirdEyes will gain expertise in cutting-edge ecological monitoring techniques, big data analysis, and creative science communication. The centre provides access to extensive global datasets, fostering collaboration across disciplines and offering opportunities to contribute to the understanding and communication of global ecological changes through the unique perspective of avian movement.

Requirements

- A master’s degree in ecology, ornithology, environmental studies, or related fields.
- A strong interest in research, nature conservation, and ecology.
- Affinity with critical data studies and willingness to reflect on data use and circulation.
- Demonstrable skills in scientific writing and data analysis.
- Knowledge of GIS and R and/or Python as a tool for data analysis, statistics, and visualization is an advantage.
- Experience with field work with birds in West Africa is an advantage.
- Cross-cultural sensitivity and a team player willing to be part of a large international project.
- Willingness to comply with ethical standards of the University of Groningen and of the LIFE IP GrassBirdHabitat consortium partners.
- Good command of spoken and written English and French.
- Knowledge of local languages, culture, agricultural practices and landscapes of Senegal or in West Africa is an advantage.
- A driving license.
- Willingness to learn new analytical and scientific skills.
- Willingness to take part in teaching activities.
- Willingness to communicate and interact with partners in Senegal and from the consortium project.

We encourage candidates of all backgrounds, gender identities, and experiences to apply for this position. West African candidates and candidates holding a MSc degree in Biology or Ecology from a West-African university are specifically encouraged to apply for this position.

Conditions of employment

Contract length: 48 months.

This PhD position offers a unique opportunity to join a world-renowned university within an innovative and interdisciplinary faculty, and to contribute to cutting-edge research within a specialized and dynamic department and research centre. The successful candidate will benefit from the comprehensive resources, expert supervision, and collaborative environment offered by the University of Groningen, Faculty Campus Fryslân, the Knowledge Infrastructure department, and the BirdEyes research centre, providing an excellent platform for their academic and professional development.

The successful candidate will be hired under the following conditions

- This position is fully based in The Netherlands, at the Faculty Campus Fryslân, University of Groningen. The successful candidate will be based at the offices of the Knowledge Infrastructure Department and of BirdEyes Centre for Global Ecological Change, in Leeuwarden.
- The candidate is expected to spend significant periods in the field, in West Africa, mostly in Senegal, doing field work. During these periods, the candidate will have the possibility of using the premisses of the University Gaston Berger (UGB, St Louis, Senegal) and the offices of the NGO NCD - Nature, Community, and Development, both in Dakar and in St. Louis.
- We offer a progressive 2-stage contract composed of the following: in the first 2 years the candidate will receive a 2-year scholarship, granted through Senegal by the local partner NCD and complemented by the RUG, to study in The Netherlands, amounting to a gross stipend of 1875 EUR per month.
- For the last 2-years the selected candidate will be employed by the University of Groningen, following the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, with a gross salary of 3,537 EUR per month, a holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income, and an 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance.
- The successful candidate will closely collaborate with the University Gaston Berger (St Louis, Senegal) and the Lower Saxony Agency for Nature Conservation (NLWKN, Germany), primarily on the different aspects of developing the West African transnational conservation plan. NLWKN is the lead beneficiary of the EU LIFE IP GrassBirdsHabitats and currently developing a European plan for the conservation of grassland breeding birds. NLWKN offers an opportunity to collaborate with a wide network of stakeholders working on bird conservation and wetland and wet-grassland restoration along the East Atlantic Flyway.

Start Date:
The successful candidate is expected to start on 1 September 2025.

Job Application

All the documents are required to be submitted in English with exception to degree certificates – see below. Applications should include - Letter of motivation (650 words max.) - CV - Reference letters from at least two academic referees - A copy of your bachelor’s and master’s diplomas with a list of course grades. If the certificates or transcripts are not in English or Dutch a translation into English must also be provided. - Proof of English proficiency – more details in this link: https://www.rug.nl/education/phd-programmes/prospective/phd-positions/english-language-requirements?lang=en - Optional but recommended: PDF copies of up to 2 publications or theses that the candidates (co)authored and that represent the candidate’s experience and interests. You may apply for this position until 2 June 11:59pm / before 3 June 2025 Dutch local time (CEST) by means of the application form (click on "Apply" below on the advertisement on the university website). Applications received by the 2nd of June, 2025 will be given full consideration; however, the position will remain open until it is filled. The University of Groningen strives to be a university in which students and staff are respected and feel at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identities. We believe that working on our core values of inclusion and equality are a joint responsibility and we are constructively working on creating a socially safe environment. Diversity among students and staff members enriches academic debate and contributes to the quality of our teaching and research. We therefore invite applicants from underrepresented groups in particular to apply. For more information, see also our diversity policy webpage: https://www.rug.nl/about-ug/policy-and-strategy/diversity-and-inclusion/ Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the Recruitment code (NVP): https://www.nvp-hrnetwerk.nl/nl/sollicitatiecode and European Commission's European Code of Conduct for recruitment of researchers: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/code We provide career services for partners of new faculty members moving to Groningen. Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated.

Additional information

For additional information, please contact:

Dr. Mohamed Henriques, for information on the project and research scope of the position
[email protected]

HR Services of the Campus Fryslân
[email protected]

In your application, please always include the job opening ID V25.0316

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