Postdoc position: Understanding large scale spatiotemporal distributions of macrozoobenthos in the Dutch Wadden Sea @ nioz

The department of Coastal Systems (COS) is looking for a highly motivated Postdoc. We offer a postdoctoral position of 3 years on studying the spatiotemporal variation in macrozoobenthos in the group of Dr. Allert Bijleveld. This project is part of ongoing research on understanding trends and spatial distributions of benthic communities in the Dutch Wadden Sea.

THE DEPARTMENT T he Department of COS integrates state-of-the art laboratory, field and numerical modelling studies in frontier explorations of the drivers of the dynamics of marine habitats and food webs. COS examines how physical, chemical and biological processes interact to determine the distribution, composition and productivity of marine species - from primary producers to top predators - and marine habitats - from the coast to inter/sub-tidal and pelagic environments. Research is applied at both the regional and global scales.

THE PROJECT The Wadden Sea is a UNESCO world heritage site and home to a variety of species. Macrozoobenthos are the largest secondary producers in the food web and in turn a major food source for birds, fish and invertebrates. At NIOZ, we have a long tradition for studying the macrozoobenthos community of the Dutch Wadden Sea. SIBES is a long-term NIOZ monitoring program of the distribution of macrozoobenthic invertebrates sampled across 1200 km2 of intertidal mudflats. With approximately 4,100 stations sampled annually for more 19 years, SIBES is the largest and most extensive monitoring program for macrozoobenthos worldwide.

The program has compiled a large and comprehensive dataset that is now available for state-of-the-art analyses on the spatiotemporal variation in the biomass and abundance of single species as well as communities. The general aim of this postdoc project is to understand the spatiotemporal distribution of macrozoobenthos in their dynamic intertidal habitat. The specific goals of the 3-yr position are open for discussion and also depends on the interests and expertise of the successful candidate.