PhD Position in Geography

VU University of Amsterdam

Institution: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Earth Sciences Department
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Start Date: April 2026 (or as early as possible thereafter)
Duration: 4 years (funding secured)
Employment: Minimum 0.8 FTE, initially 1-year contract with extension to complete PhD

Your Function

We invite applications for a PhD position in the 5-year PeTCaT research project funded by the Schmidt Sciences Foundation.

The PeTCaT project (“Rapid Permafrost Thaw Carbon Trajectories”) aims to quantify the effects of permafrost thawing on the global carbon cycle. Current Earth system models used for future climate projections inadequately represent permafrost thaw processes and associated climate feedbacks. A key shortcoming is that models often do not account for rapid thaw processes common in ice-rich Arctic permafrost regions.

The goal of this PhD project is to advance the modeling of rapid thawing processes. This includes:

  • Development and application of the CryoGridLite process-based land surface model

  • Investigation of ground ice dynamics and rapid thawing processes (e.g., thermokarst, thermo-erosion, thaw slumps, ice-wedge degradation)

  • Integration of process-based modeling with data-driven approaches (e.g., machine learning, simulation-based inference) using geospatial data

  • Application of the modeling framework to retrace pan-Arctic permafrost evolution over the last millennia and improve projections of future thaw trajectories relevant to permafrost carbon emissions and climate feedbacks

The project will be conducted in close cooperation with the Alfred Wegener Institute (Germany) and other international partners in Germany, Sweden, Canada, and the USA. Fieldwork opportunities in permafrost regions of Canada and/or Alaska are part of the project.

Your Duties

As a PhD student, you will:

  • Design and execute your own research plans

  • Present research at scientific conferences and publish in journals

  • Advance and apply the CryoGridLite land surface model

  • Contribute to teaching and supervision of bachelor’s and master’s students

  • Collaborate with project partners from various fields

Your Profile

We are seeking a highly motivated student with:

  • MSc degree in physical geography, (geo)physics, hydrology, earth science, (geo)data science, geoecology, environmental science, or equivalent

  • Affinity to and preferably experience in numerical modeling and/or geodata analyses

  • Experience with programming languages such as Python, Julia, or MATLAB

  • Ability to work independently and in an interdisciplinary team

  • Excellent English communication skills (written and verbal)

Diversity and Inclusion:
VU Amsterdam values diversity in all its forms and is committed to creating an inclusive community. Applicants who meet some but not all requirements are still encouraged to apply.

What We Offer

  • Salary: €3,059 – €3,881 gross per month (PhD, full-time) depending on education and experience

  • Employment: 0.8 FTE, initial 1-year contract, intended extension for full 4-year PhD

  • Fringe benefits:

    • 38-hour work week with 232 hours of holiday leave per year (pro-rata for part-time)

    • 8% holiday allowance, 8.3% end-of-year bonus

    • Contribution to commuting expenses

    • Hybrid working for work-life balance

About Us

Earth Sciences, VU Amsterdam:

  • International research environment with world-class facilities

  • Research areas: climate and environmental dynamics, surface processes, earth and planetary dynamics, sustainability and resources

  • Strong focus on fundamental knowledge to develop sustainable solutions for natural resource and environmental challenges

Faculty of Science:

  • Over 11,000 students across 40 study programs, 1,600 staff

  • Interdisciplinary, computationally intensive research, and value-driven methodologies

  • Commitment to socially engaged education and research

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam:

  • Located in Amsterdam’s Zuidas business district

  • 6,150 staff, 31,000 students

  • Inclusive, diversity-driven, and internationally oriented

Interested?

If you are interested and believe your experience aligns with this position, we encourage you to apply.

Interviews: February 2026
Applications via email will not be considered.

Contacts for more information:

  • Moritz Langer (PI): [email protected]

  • Jan Nitzbon: [email protected]

Apply