"Assistant Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Nature Restoration"

Assistant Professor of Biology

Utrecht University

Faculty: Science
Department: Biology
Hours per week: 36–40
Application deadline: 19 February 2026
Location: Utrecht, The Netherlands

About the Role

Utrecht University invites applications for an Assistant Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Nature Restoration. This position focuses on addressing urgent societal challenges by linking fundamental wildlife ecology with biodiversity recovery and nature restoration in human-dominated landscapes.

The successful candidate will contribute to research and education, advancing our understanding of wildlife responses to environmental change, the effectiveness of conservation interventions, and the integration of biodiversity restoration with societal functions such as recreation and sustainable land use.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research on wildlife ecology and nature restoration, with a focus on restoration-relevant themes, ecological networks, and rewilding.
• Collaborate with colleagues, conservation practitioners, and policymakers to develop sustainable solutions.
• Apply a combination of fieldwork, experiments, biomonitoring, laboratory, statistical, and theoretical approaches.
• Initiate research projects and seek external funding.
• Teach and supervise in BSc, MSc, and PhD programmes, including developing and coordinating new courses.
• Supervise student research projects and contribute to the Department’s research and teaching mission.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate:

• Holds a PhD in ecology, with postdoctoral research and practical experience.
• Has expertise in wildlife ecology, nature restoration, ecological networks, and rewilding.
• Is familiar with sensor technologies such as camera traps and GPS tags, and ideally live capture techniques.
• Has knowledge of flora, fauna, ecosystems, and landscapes of north-western Europe.
• Demonstrates advanced skills in statistics and R programming.
• Can communicate effectively with scientists, policymakers, practitioners, and other stakeholders.
• Is fluent in English; Dutch language skills are considered an asset.
• Values collaboration, collegiality, and interdisciplinary research, and is committed to making a lasting impact on nature restoration.

We recognize that excellent researchers follow diverse career paths. Candidates who meet most, but not all, of the qualifications are encouraged to apply if they demonstrate a clear vision for research, teaching, and leadership.

Employment Terms

• Initial 18-month contract, with the prospect of a permanent contract upon positive evaluation.
• Gross monthly salary (full-time, scale 11 CAO NU): €4,728 – €6,433, depending on qualifications and experience.
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus.
• Pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment conditions.
• Additional professional development, sports, and cultural activity arrangements through Utrecht University.

About the Department

The Department of Biology consists of 12 research divisions within two institutes:

• Institute of Biodynamics and Biocomplexity (IBB)
• Institute of Environmental Biology (IEB)

The Wildlife Ecology & Nature Restoration group (est. 2025) is a team of 15 researchers studying interactions among wildlife, habitats, and people in human-dominated landscapes, with a focus on forests and forest landscapes in temperate and tropical regions. The team uses sensor-based tools, including camera traps and acoustic recorders, and works closely with land managers, conservation groups, indigenous communities, and policy stakeholders.

Utrecht University is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, providing a safe and supportive environment for all staff.

Application Process

To apply, please submit the following via the "Apply now" button:

1. Motivation letter, including how you meet the qualifications (pointwise).
2. Full CV, including a link to your publication list.
3. Research statement (max. 2 pages) outlining how your work fits within the Wildlife Ecology & Nature Restoration group.
4. Teaching statement (max. 1 page).
5. Names and contact information for three professional referees.
6. Copy of your PhD certificate.

For inquiries:

• Prof. dr. Patrick Jansen: p.a.jansen@uu.nl
• Dr. Marijke van Kuijk: m.vankuijk@uu.nl
• Application procedure questions: science.recruitment@uu.nl

Application deadline: 19 February 2026