Are you passionate about the reducing illegal timber trade from tropical forests? Do you aspire developing scientific tools to curb illegal trade? Then this PhD position could be a good fit for you! We are looking for a bright and highly qualified team player in this applied research project.
The illegal trade in tropical timber is a major environmental problem. New international legislation aimed at curbing this trade requires independent techniques to verify timber origin. In this NWO-funded research project we develop these tools.
We have two PhD vacancies: this PhD analyses timber forensic data with geostatistical tools to verify timber origin; the other PhD focuses on radar remote sensing to detect logging activities. You can apply only to one of the positions.
You will use state-of-the-art timber forensics measurements and combine these with innovative predictive geostatistical models to verify the origin of tropical timber. Your results are used to develop a publicly accessible dashboard to validate claimed timber origin. Authorities, timber industry and NGOs are members of the project’s user committee. In addition, the project involves international partners in Central Africa, South-East Asia, and South and North America.
Your duties and responsibilities include:

Conduct wood chemical analyses of available wood samples with a mass spectrometer

Develop and test multivariate geostatistical models of forensic data to verify timber origin

Lead analyses and writing of multi-authored scientific publications, culminating in a PhD thesis

Collaborate with international partners and members of the user committee

Provide your data and results to the timber verification dashboard
Your team
You will work at Wageningen University, with possible trips to visit international collaborators and conferences. No fieldwork is foreseen. The research is embedded within the Forest Ecology and Forest Management group and the Laboratory of Geo-Information Science and Remote Sensing . You will be part of the Timtrace team, consisting of 2 PhD candidates, a post-doc and your supervisors. You are supervised by prof. dr. Pieter Zuidema prof. dr. Sytze de Bruin (PhD2); and dr. Mart Vlam.
Requirements
You have

A strong motivation to contribute to applied research and developing tools

Excellent and proven analytical and critical thinking skills

A collaborative, curious and creative mindset

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

A successfully completed MSc degree in: Ecology, Environmental Science, Forest & Nature Conservation, Geo-Information Science, or a related field
You also possess:

Proven experience in geostatistical modelling of forest-related data, and/or

Proven experience in timber forensics
For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level . Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here .
Contract terms
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment . A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

Partially paid parental leave;

working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;

there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;

a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%;

excellent pension scheme.
In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The gross salary for the first year is € 3.204,- per month rising to € 4.051,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.
We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.
You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment.

PhD position on forensic tracing of tropical timber

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