Postdoc: Co-creating Shared Narratives for Sustainable Sediment Management

Deadline 25 Oct ’26

Published 2026-09-24

Job description

The Wadden Sea and the Ems-Dollard and Western Scheldt estuaries have nationally important navigation channels and globally important ecosystems on tidal flats and coastal wetlands, that also protect the coast against storms. However, dredging costs are escalating, biodiversity is declining, and the sea level is rising. These three threats are magnified by a surplus or deficit of sand and mud, which requires sediment management. The knowledge and tools needed for this pose profound scientific challenges.

Your job

The aim of the WadSED project is to develop the urgently needed system understanding, data analysis tools, and forecasting models for science and expert users, and co-create common ground among stakeholders for future-proof coastal management.

One the project outcomes is to explore and co-develop narratives and conceptual models that show development of the basins and estuaries under SLR and human interference with specific attention for the sediment budget and habitat development.

As a postdoctoral researcher you will organize and facilitate the participatory process to co-develop these shared narratives and conceptual models for sustainable sediment management. This will be done for two case studies, namely Western Scheldt and Wadden Sea. To facilitate knowledge exchange and the learning process, interactive workshops will be organized on location (Western Scheldt and Wadden Sea) to enhance science-society interactions.

Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of the postdoctoral researcher are to engage with the project team members and the participating experts and stakeholders for both case studies to coordinate, facilitate and monitor the co-creation process to develop shared narratives and conceptual model for sustainable sediment management.

This will be achieved through:

• Designing and organizing a deliberative and participatory approach together with the WadSED team members (specifically UU and HVHL).
• Facilitating and monitoring the co-creation process with experts and stakeholders in Western Scheldt and Wadden Sea.
• Applying a research for policy cycle strategy to co-create new conceptual models with academic scholars, experts, stakeholders and policy makers.
• Facilitating knowledge exchange between researchers, experts, stakeholders and policymakers through stakeholder workshops.
• Disseminating best practices via communication strategies that target experts, policy makers, and the public.

The selected candidate is expected to contribute to the above-mentioned tasks in collaboration with the rest of the WadSED team members.

Requirements

We are searching for a candidate with the following qualifications:

• Fluency in Dutch and English;
• A PhD degree in social and environmental policy sciences or related disciplines;
• Expertise and experience working in facilitating deliberative and participatory processes in social- ecological systems;
• Affinity with the water management sector;
• Demonstrable skills in qualitative research and scientific writing;
• Strong communication skills and preferably expertise with learning design (for example visual media production project);
• Knowledge of mediated participation in a context of natural resource management transitions is an advantage;
• Cross-cultural sensitivity and a team player attitude, willing to be part of a large national;
• A driving license might come in handy.

Conditions of employment

We offer:

• a job (0.8 - 1.0 FTE) for 24 months;
• a working week of 32 - 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between €3.706 and €5.760 (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU)). The salary is based on a 38-hour working week;
• 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 set out in our collective labour agreement, we offer attractive additional benefits, including opportunities for personal and professional growth, flexible leave arrangements, and extra vacation days. Through the UU Terms of Employment Options Model, you can tailor your employment package to your needs. In this way, we encourage you to grow in what you do, both in your work and in your development. Read more about our terms of employment.

Employer

Universiteit Utrecht

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.

Additional information

For more information, please contact Dr Jan Fliervoet via jan.fliervoet@hvhl.nl

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

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