Are you a highly motivated and curious postdoctoral researcher with a strong interest in plant ecology, ecophysiology, and nature-based solutions for greener cities?
Do you enjoy bridging fundamental ecological knowledge with practical applications?
Then Wageningen University & Research offers an exciting opportunity for you.
BIO-SKIN (Bio-Inspired Outer Surfaces to Kool, Insulate and Nurture) is developing bio-based, waste-derived, and circular façade systems that integrate plant growth.
The project goal is to help develop bio-based facade panels that keep buildings cool, insulate, support biodiversity, and contribute to more sustainable urban environments.
We work in a team of people with backgrounds in design, materials, biomaterial chemistry, architecture, biology, engineering, sustainability, and the built environment.
In this position, you will investigate how plant-soil-insect interactions develop in ecosystems with shallow soils and translate these ecological insights into design principles for next-generation green façades.
Your research will contribute to a better understanding of how ecological communities establish and function in constrained urban environments, while helping to develop façade systems that support biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
As a postdoctoral researcher, you will combine fundamental and applied research to develop innovative green façade concepts that enhance ecosystem complexity and deliver key ecosystem services, including thermal insulation, carbon sequestration, microclimate regulation, and habitat provision for insects and other arthropods.
For this, you will make theoretical assessments of optimal flora/fauna combinations for providing shading and cooling, as well as to boost biodiversity.
You will then coordinate the design and execution of façade-panel experiments in close collaboration with a PhD candidate, analyse ecological and physiological data, and contribute to scientific publications.
The project offers a unique opportunity to connect ecology, ecophysiology, urban greening, and green façade design.
We are looking for a candidate who enjoys working in interdisciplinary teams.
You will bring expertise in plant ecology and ecophysiology to a collaborative group of researchers, designers, and material developers, and partners from companies that produce green façades, jointly creating innovative green façade solutions that contribute to sustainable construction and healthier urban environments.
Your activities include: • Investigating plant species performance, community assembly and plant-insect-soil interactions in shallow-substrate systems (drawing on insights from literature as well as field studies);
• Analysing ecological and ecophysiological datasets;
• Publishing results in peer-reviewed journals and presenting findings at scientific conferences;
• Collaborating with academic and non-academic partners to translate scientific insights into practical applications.
• Teaching in courses and supervise BSc and MSc students You will work here The research is embedded within the Biosystematics Group and the Laboratory of Entomology You will be supervised by dr. ir.
Casper Quist and Prof. Bregje Wertheim.
As a member in the
BIO-SKIN team you will work one day a week together with the other
BIO-SKIN PhDs and Post-docs at the AMS institute in Amsterdam.
In addition, you will be embedded in the
PE&RC graduate school (Home |
PE&RC), which will allow you to follow a wide variety of training courses and provide support during your academic journey.