Postdoctoral researcher on Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR:MRV)

The Department of Earth Sciences is looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher candidate with a background in Earth, Environmental or Marine Sciences or other appropriate fields. You will work on the project: “Measurement and reporting for responsible marine CO2 removal (MAR-CO2)”.

Your job

Marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) is becoming an internationally recognised strategy as a way to mitigate climate change by increasing the ocean’s capacity to store anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Several strategies such as (1) direct ocean carbon capture, and (2) ocean alkalinity enhancement, manipulate ocean carbonate chemistry via electrochemical methods or alkalinity addition (enhanced rock weathering or via alkaline fluids), respectively. Both methods are beginning early pilot trail stages throughout European coastal waters; however, scientific research is lacking with respect to assessing the biological and ecological impacts of these mCDR approaches.

This EU-funded project is in collaboration with an international consortium of researchers and industry partners that will assess mCDR via monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV). Specifically, as the new postdoctoral researcher you will integrate ecological MRV (eMRV) approaches, that are essential for the deployment of mCDR strategies, via the assessment of ecological functions, biodiversity impacts, and potential consequences for human health effects. You will help design, implement, and conduct in situ observation studies with partnered pilot sites (in the Baltic, Mediterranean, and Atlantic) complemented with laboratory experiments to build an eMRV framework supplementing traditional MRV. Observational approaches include deployment of passive chemical samplers, quantifying organic matter export, examining eDNA functional responses, and monitoring shifts in POC and biogenic silica. Laboratory studies will target the response of benthic fluxes associated with changes in overlying seawater based on pilot site mCDR strategy.

Your qualities

We seek candidates who are motivated about eMRV research, can lead field campaigns, and are self-driven and can work independently and with a team. Applicants should hold a PhD degree in Earth Sciences, Environmental Science, Marine Sciences or a related discipline by the time the position starts.

More specific, you have:

• Experience in conducting experiments and performing analytical sample processing (lab work);
• A theoretical background in marine environmental physiology, biogeochemistry, and ecology;
• Willingness to experiment with new data collections;
• Excellent communication and (scientific) writing skills.

Due to the international character of our research, good command of spoken and written English is essential. We highly encourage applicants from all members of our community and of diverse backgrounds to join us. Your possible starting date will be taken into account in the selection procedure.

Our offer

We offer:

• a postdoctoral position (1.0 FTE) for max. 36 months.
• a working week of 36 - 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between € 3.706 and €5.760 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 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 laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

About us

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.

The Department of Earth Sciences conducts teaching and research across the full range of the solid Earth and environmental Earth sciences, with activities in almost all areas of geology, geochemistry, geophysics, biogeology and hydrogeology. Our key research themes are Earth & Planetary Processes, Sustainable Use of the Subsurface, Planetary Health & (the) Environment, and Climate & Life. The department hosts a highly international tenured staff of over 50 scientists and more than 110 PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. We house or have access to a wide variety of world-class laboratories, among which are UU’s Electron Microscopy Centre, the Geolab, and the Earth Simulation Lab. The latter houses the experimental facility that DEEP-FLUX will use. We also have excellent High- Performance Computing facilities.

About Utrecht

The department and its facilities are located at Utrecht Science Park. Utrecht is the fourth largest city in the Netherlands with a population of nearly 360,000 and forms a hub in the middle of the country. Its historical city centre and its modern central station can easily be reached from the Science Park by public transport or by a 15-minute bicycle ride. Utrecht boasts beautiful canals with extraordinary wharf cellars housing cafés and terraces by the water, as well as a broad variety of shops and boutiques.

More information

For informal information (not for application) about this position, please contact the project leader Dr Cale Miller at c.a.miller@uu.nl.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Apply now

At Utrecht University, we strive to be a place where everyone feels at home. We value colleagues with different backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including differences in culture, religion or ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, neurodiversity, disability and age. We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and contribute. Read more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. If you have any questions about accessibility, for example regarding your workplace Vening Meineszgebouw A, the application process or your work, please contact us via our HR contact page.

Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology.

You can only apply via our online application system using the 'Apply now' button. Applications submitted by email cannot be considered. Please include the following documents with your application:

• A letter of motivation, describing why this postdoctoral position fits your background and interests, and how your expertise would contribute to the project. Please also explain why you are interested in working at Utrecht University and within the Department of Earth Sciences.
• A curriculum vitae, including relevant research experience, publications, and work carried out during your PhD and/or previous postdoctoral positions.
• The names and contact details (including email addresses) of at least two referees.

No reference letters are required at the time of application. If you are shortlisted, we will contact your referees, but only after informing you in advance. We aim to complete the selection procedure shortly after the application deadline of September 20th , 2026. The position is available from November 1st, 2026, and should ultimately be filled by January 1st , 2027. Thus, your possible starting date will be taken into account in the selection procedure, so clearly indicate when you think that you can start.

Further, note that international candidates that need a visa/work permit for the Netherlands require at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance. This will be arranged with help of the International Service Desk (ISD) of our university. Finding appropriate housing in or near Utrecht is your own responsibility, but the ISD may be able to advise you therewith. Unfortunately, we must warn that it is a tight market at the moment. Employment cannot start without official residence registration in the Netherlands.

In case of general questions about working and living in The Netherlands, please consult the Dutch Mobility Portal.