Climate-smart grassland management: from processes to potential and management

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Climate-smart grassland management: from processes to potential and management

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Job description

Offer DescriptionGrasslands cover over 40% of the Earth’s surface and play a vital role in the global carbon cycle. They store significant amounts of carbon in the soil – often even more than forests – and are thus powerful carbon sinks. Sustainable grassland management offers a unique opportunity to enhance carbon sequestration, mitigate climate change, and simultaneously promote biodiversity, soil health, and food security.In Flanders, farmers are increasingly confronted with the consequences of climate change. They suffer damage from extreme weather and face mounting pressure from society, government, and supply chain partners to adopt more climate-friendly production methods. Grasslands can play a key role in this transition. Our research shows that up to 9 million tonnes of additional CO₂-equivalent could realistically be sequestered in Flemish grasslands. However, this potential currently remains untapped. In fact, many grasslands in Flanders emit more carbon than they store. More than half of the 26,500 Flemish farms with grassland have soil organic carbon (SOC) levels too low to sustain long-term productivity.With smart management practices – such as increased biodiversity, optimized nutrient management, rotational grazing, or careful use of machinery – this negative balance can be reversed. Grasslands can become carbon sinks again. This not only helps mitigate climate change but also increases drought resilience, improves soil health and yields, and reduces the need for external inputs like fertilizers and pesticides.Unfortunately, these opportunities remain underused due to a lack of accessible knowledge, reliable data on the effectiveness of measures, and user-friendly decision-support tools. The C-GRAS project addresses this by promoting climate-smart management of high-quality grasslands in Flanders. Through the introduction of climate-friendly practices, field demonstrations, knowledge exchange, and co-creation of practical tools, C-GRAS aims to support farmers in making informed decisions – and to help them make their carbon sequestration efforts visible and measurable. We are looking for a motivated and curious researcher with a passion for ecosystem science, climate issues, and sustainable land use. You are eager to start a PhD and want your research to contribute to knowledge with real societal impact.You hold a master’s degree in bioscience engineering, life sciences, geography, biology, or a related field, with distinction or higher. You have a strong interest in agro- and ecosystems and their role in the carbon cycle, in fieldwork, and in engaging with farmers and project stakeholders.You possess strong analytical skills and are comfortable working with statistics and modeling software. You are capable of processing and interpreting complex data. Experience with field techniques, lab work, academic writing, and team leadership (e.g., through youth organizations) is a plus. You are proactive, creative, and ambitious, and you work well both independently and in a team. You are a strong communicator with excellent writing and speaking skills in both Dutch and English. We offer a full-time PhD scholarship that will enable you to:

• Actively contribute to addressing the climate crisis by tackling greenhouse gas and nutrient emissions in our landscapes;
• Help develop innovative climate-smart management practices that improve landscape resilience to climate extremes and nitrogen loss;
• Build expertise in a wide range of research methods for soil and biomass analysis – your work will include both field and lab work, including carbon and nutrient analysis, microbiology, sensor technologies, etc.;
• Learn how to manage a research project and communicate your results to stakeholders;
• See the real-world impact of your research results.

For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Karen Vancampenhout, tel.: +32 14 72 13 62, mail: or Mr. Robin Tersago, tel.: +32 14 74 15 58, mail: .Where to apply WebsiteRequirementsResearch Field Environmental science Education Level Master Degree or equivalentResearch Field Agricultural sciences Education Level Master Degree or equivalentResearch Field Geosciences Education Level Master Degree or equivalentResearch Field Biological sciences Education Level Master Degree or equivalentResearch Field Geography Education Level Master Degree or equivalentLanguages DUTCH Level ExcellentLanguages ENGLISH Level ExcellentResearch Field Agricultural sciences » Soil science Years of Research Experience NoneAdditional InformationBenefitsWe offer a full-time PhD scholarship that will enable you to:

• Actively contribute to addressing the climate crisis by tackling greenhouse gas and nutrient emissions in our landscapes;
• Help develop innovative climate-smart management practices that improve landscape resilience to climate extremes and nitrogen loss;
• Build expertise in a wide range of research methods for soil and biomass analysis – your work will include both field and lab work, including carbon and nutrient analysis, microbiology, sensor technologies, etc.;
• Learn how to manage a research project and communicate your results to stakeholders;
• See the real-world impact of your research results.

Eligibility criteriaWe are looking for a motivated and curious researcher with a passion for ecosystem science, climate issues, and sustainable land use. You are eager to start a PhD and want your research to contribute to knowledge with real societal impact.You hold a master’s degree in bioscience engineering, life sciences, geography, biology, or a related field, with distinction or higher. You have a strong interest in agro- and ecosystems and their role in the carbon cycle, in fieldwork, and in engaging with farmers and project stakeholders.You possess strong analytical skills and are comfortable working with statistics and modeling software. You are capable of processing and interpreting complex data. Experience with field techniques, lab work, academic writing, and team leadership (e.g., through youth organizations) is a plus. You are proactive, creative, and ambitious, and you work well both independently and in a team. You are a strong communicator with excellent writing and speaking skills in both Dutch and English.Selection processFor more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Karen Vancampenhout, tel.: +32 14 72 13 62, mail: or Mr. Robin Tersago, tel.: +32 14 74 15 58, mail: .Website for additional job detailsWork Location(s)Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute KU LEUVEN Country Belgium City Geel GeofieldContact CityGeelSTATUS: EXPIREDShare this page

Expected salary

Location

Geel, Antwerpen

Job date

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 01:27:27 GMT

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