By scholarshipswithaakash@gmail.com 
Fully Funded PhD in Amsterdam. Are you fascinated by marine microbes and their global impact? Would you enjoy building mathematical models to understand how viruses shape phytoplankton populations and marine carbon cycles? The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is offering a fully funded 4‑year PhD in Phytoplankton‑Virus Interaction Modelling—a cutting‑edge opportunity for marine ecology and theoretical modelling enthusiasts.
Why This PhD Is Unique
This PhD is part of the PHYVIR project, funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO), which brings together five PhD positions and two postdocs to unlock how phytoplankton‑virus dynamics affect nutrient cycling and ecosystem function across the globe (AcademicTransfer, UvA Careers).
You will focus on:
- Developing mechanistic mathematical models of virus‑host dynamics in marine environments
- Incorporating stoichiometric dynamics (C:N ratios)
- Scaling up from single‐host-virus systems to complex multi‑species interactions
- Testing how climate change factors like temperature, nutrients, and light alter host‑virus dynamics and selecting traits adaptive in future oceans (AcademicTransfer, AcademicTransfer)
🧬 What You’ll Do
- Design a complete PhD thesis plan
- Parameterise models using lab experiments and field data within the PHYVIR consortium
- Extend models from single virus–host systems to complex host–virus trait networks
- Present at international conferences, publish peer‑reviewed papers, and contribute to MSc supervision (~15% teaching time) (UvA Careers, AcademicTransfer)
You’ll partner with supervisors: Dr Cara Nissen & Dr Yael Artzy‑Randrup (UvA), Prof Jef Huisman (UvA), and Prof Corina Brussaard (NIOZ & UvA) (AcademicTransfer).
🌐 Host Institution & Environment
The position is based at IBED – Institute for Biodiversity & Ecosystem Dynamics, part of UvA’s Faculty of Science. IBED offers an integrated systems approach covering ecology from molecular to global scales and provides access to high-performance computing, bioinformatics support, and collaborative projects with NIOZ, the Dutch marine research institute (Blue-jobs).
UvA is the Netherlands’ largest university (approx. 42,000 students, 3,000 PhD students) with a strong international and interdisciplinary research culture (UvA Careers).
💵 Financial Package & Employment Terms
- Contract: 38 hours/week (full‑time), starting with 18-month probation and extending to four years upon positive evaluation (UvA Careers).
- Salary: €2,901 gross/month in year 1, rising to €3,707 in year 4 (scale P) (AcademicTransfer).
- Benefits:
- 8% holiday allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus
- 232 vacation hours/year plus extra leave (e.g., Christmas–New Year)
- Pension via ABP, where UvA pays ~66% of contributions
- Parental and partner leave, stress management courses, Dutch lessons, dual-career support, home-working options, and housing assistance for international recruits (AcademicTransfer).
Also, eligible non-Dutch PhD students may benefit from the 30% ruling tax advantage (AcademicTransfer).
👤 Who Should Apply
You’re ideal if you have:
- An MSc in marine biology, microbial ecology, theoretical ecology, biological oceanography, or a closely related discipline
- Experience with mathematical or computational modelling (Python, Matlab, C++)
- Interest in virus–host ecology, marine stoichiometry, and data integration
- Strong written and spoken English skills and ability to collaborate in a multidisciplinary team (AcademicTransfer, AcademicTransfer, UvA Careers)
🗓 Important Dates
- Application Deadline: 25 August 2025 (Master’s level, 38‑hour contract, vacancy ID 14322) (UvA Careers)
- First-round Interviews: Around 8–12 September 2025 (online)
- Second-round Interviews: Late September/early October, with visits to UvA campus
- Ideal Start Date: Fall 2025 (ideally before Oct 2025) (UvA Careers)
“It’s a four‑year fully funded PhD in marine ecology modelling. Based in Amsterdam, it explores how viruses impact phytoplankton populations and marine carbon cycling under changing environmental conditions, with gross monthly salaries from €2,901 – €3,707 plus allowances.”
✅ Why This Opportunity is a Career Game‑Changer
- Experience & Expertise: Collaborate with internationally renowned viral ecologists like Corina Brussaard, Jef Huisman, and Yael Artzy‑Randrup (AcademicTransfer, UvA Careers, UvA Careers).
- Authority & Networking: Work within UvA’s IBED and PHYVIR networks, with synergy across labs, cruises, and institutional partners NIOZ and NIOO.
- Trustworthiness & Transparency: Clearly defined salary scales, benefits, structured contract, and open selection process under Dutch labor protocols (Wikipedia).
✍️ How to Apply
Submit a complete application via the official UvA vacancy portal (ID 14322) before 25 August 2025. Required materials:
- Detailed CV (with months and years for chronology)
- Motivation letter outlining interest and alignment with PHYVIR objectives
- Contact information for two academic references (email + name)
- (Optional) Sample data or modelling code if available
- English proficiency documentation if required for non-native speakers
Submit all documents in a SINGLE PDF (CV separate) via the online application link (UvA Careers).
Stay tuned with Scholarships with Aakash — Where Your Academic Dreams Take Flight.
📢 Apply Link
📢 Final Call
If you are passionate about marine microbial ecology, mathematical modelling, and the future of ocean forecasting under climate change scenarios—this PhD at UvA’s PHYVIR project is a perfect fit.
Join a dynamic interdisciplinary team in Amsterdam, receive a competitive salary with robust benefits, and drive novel research bridging marine ecology, virus biology, and ecosystem modelling.
🔗 Apply now and be part of the future of marine science. Deadline: 25 August 2025.
Stay tuned with Scholarships with Aakash — Where Your Academic Dreams Take Flight.
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