Postdoctoral Researcher - Functional Diversity and Ecosystem Services ( Project

Job Description

The European research project Terra Chem ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).) is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to explore how chemical stressors affect biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and the services nature provides to people. The position will combine ecological data analysis with statistical and spatial modeling to quantify chemical impacts across multiple levels of biological organization.

Your work will focus on linking species‑specific ecotoxicity data with information on species abundances and functional traits to assess how chemical exposure alters functional diversity—including its richness, evenness, and divergence components. You will investigate how these changes cascade across trophic levels and develop damage metrics that capture biodiversity loss under different contamination scenarios.

Building on this, you will connect biodiversity and functional diversity loss to changes in key terrestrial ecosystem services such as organic matter decomposition and maintenance of genetic diversity. You will model how these effects propagate across ecosystems and scale up to larger geographical regions, while accounting for multiple environmental stressors.

We are looking for a candidate with a PhD in ecology, ecotoxicology, or environmental modeling, and strong analytical and programming skills (e.g., R or Python). Experience with biodiversity metrics, ecosystem service modeling, or spatial analysis is an advantage.

• Quantify impacts of chemical stressors on biodiversity by linking species‑specific ecotoxicity data with species traits and abundances to assess changes in functional diversity.
• Link biodiversity and functional diversity loss to ecosystem service changes.
• Scale up and spatialise model outcomes to regional and continental levels, integrating the influence of multiple environmental stressors.

Einsteinweg 55, 2333CC, Leiden

Leiden University is situated between Amsterdam (36 km) and The Hague (15 km) and was founded in 1575, making it the oldest university in the Netherlands. It houses around 35,000 students originating from 112 nationalities, facilitated by approximately 8,000 staff.

The Institute of Environmental Science (CML) at Leiden University offers a vibrant and supportive community of scientists committed to the challenges of sustainability. CML distinguishes itself for its attention to professional development in coordination with the interests of its scientists. As such, there are plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, expand your knowledge, collaborate across disciplines, and experiment in a friendly environment fully embodying academic freedom across all career levels.

The core focus of CML is to perform research and education in the interdisciplinary field of Environmental Sciences. CML focuses on the sustainable use of natural resources and preservation of natural capital and biodiversity. CML has a culture of mutual support and collaboration between researchers. CML has two Departments:
Industrial Ecology (CML-IE) and Environmental Biology (CML-EB). Presently, about 150 fte (including postdocs and PhDs) are employed  further collaborates with TU Delft and Erasmus University in the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Centre for Sustainability (LDE‑CfS), and with the Naturalis Biodiversity Centre.

• PhD in ecology, ecotoxicology, environmental sciences, or a related quantitative field (completed or near completion).
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, with demonstrated experience in ecological or statistical modeling.
• Proficiency in data analysis and programming using tools such as R or Python.
• Experience with biodiversity metrics, functional trait analysis, or ecosystem service modeling.
• Strong collaborative skills and motivation to work in an interdisciplinary, international research environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

We are looking to fill this position as soon as possible, offering a contract until the project concludes on October 31st 2026, following the pay scale 10 in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. Salary ranges from € 3.546…