Team hire (2 PhD students & 1 postdoc) within Vici project Fire from the Sky ⚡

Profile for PhD positions

• MSc in Earth, ecological or environmental sciences or related field but with proven interest in Earth sciences and/or (spatial) ecology; (applicants that will finish their MSc degree before September 2026 are encouraged to apply)
• excellent ability to communicate in both written and spoken English;
• strong scientific motivation, and interest in Earth system and climate change sciences;
• hands-on and curiosity-driven, and ability to work independently and collaboratively;
• affinity with object-oriented coding (preferably Python), GIS and statistical modeling;
• for applications focused on topic 2, affinity with field work in remote (Arctic-boreal) locations;
• for applications focused on topic 2, a driver’s license is required
• good social skills.

Profile for the postdoc position

• PhD in Earth, climate or environmental sciences or related field but with proven interest in Earth and/or climate sciences;
• excellent ability to communicate in both written and spoken English;
• strong scientific motivation, and interest in Earth system and climate change sciences;
• hands-on and curiosity-driven, and ability to work independently and collaboratively;
• highly skilled in object-oriented coding (preferably Python) and data analysis;
• affinity with machine learning and explainable AI techniques, preferably in a geoscience context;
• good social skills.

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognizing that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset. We realize that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognizes themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Selected candidates will become part of a world-class research team. You will have plenty of opportunities to develop creative ideas and your career. Our team values both independence and collaboration. There will be mentorship and guidance from the project’s principal investigator Sander Veraverbeke and other project members. You will also be exposed to a large collaborative international network, including research visits to project partner institutes. We offer competitive salaries and benefits, and we strongly value a healthy work-life balance. You will live in or around the multicultural metropolis of Amsterdam.

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

For PhD positions

• a salary of minimum € 3.059,00 (PhD) and maximum € 3.881,00 (PhD) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile PhD candidate.

• The appointment will initially be for 1 year. After satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years. Planned start date is September 1 st, 2026 or soon after. 

For the postdoc position

• a salary of minimum € 3.546,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 5.538,00 (Scale 10) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• a position for at least 0.8 FTE. The appointment will initially be for 1 year. After satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, it will be extended to a total duration of 3 years. Planned start date is September 1 st, 2026 or soon after.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• contribution to commuting expenses
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge
• the possibility to work partly from home

Project and research group

The FireSky ⚡ Fire from the Sky: impact and management of lightning fires on permafrost carbon project is a 5-year project funded by the Dutch Research Council:

Lightning fires are becoming more frequent and intense in permafrost regions. These soils store vast amounts of carbon, which can be released when fires trigger thawing. FireSky will use satellite data to map lightning fires and predict where and when they may occur in the future. Fieldwork in boreal North America will provide new insights into how these fires affect permafrost carbon. By combining satellite, field, and predictive data, FireSky will explore how targeted fire management can help protect permafrost carbon and support global climate goals.

The FireSky project will be embedded in the Climate & Ecosystems Change research group, led by Dr. Sander Veraverbeke. For more information about the group, including a full project abstract, please visit https://sites.google.com/view/climateco. For more information about the project, please contact Sander Veraverbeke at [email protected]

Department of Earth Sciences

The department of Earth Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, offers a stimulating international research environment with world-class academic reputation, and excellent state-of-the-art facilities. Research in the department covers a wide range of fundamental and applied research topics, including climate and environmental dynamics, surface processes and landscape dynamics, Earth and planetary dynamics, and sustainability, resources, and society. Our strength lies in the ability to deliver fundamental knowledge on the functioning of our planet and are key to finding sustainable solutions to many problems related to natural resources, natural hazards, energy, and the environment that societies are facing. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the project, project participants will also interact with colleagues from the Institute for Environmental Studies, Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment and Amsterdam Sustainability Institute.

Faculty of Science

The department of Earth Sciences is part of VU’s Faculty of Science. Researchers and students at VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature. The faculty is home to over 11,000 students enrolled in 40 study programs. It employs over 1,600 professionals spread across 10 academic departments.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The Faculty of Science is VU’s largest faculty. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. We are located on 1 physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.