PhD position: Seasonal Timing of Egg Overwintering Insects under Climate
Change

**Application deadline: 7 December 2025**

*What?*
4-year fully funded PhD position at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology
(NIOO-KNAW) with the goal to identify universal mechanisms underlying the
temperature sensitivity of insect egg developmental time. To provide
insight into the adaptive potential of wild insect populations to
climate change.

*Preferred start date: 15 February 2026*

*Why?*
Insect species that overwinter as eggs are particularly vulnerable
to climate change, as egg development time strongly depends on
temperature. However, we know little about the mechanisms underlying
insect egg developmental time and to what extent these mechanisms are
universal across insects, making it difficult to assess population
adaptive potential.

*Who?*
You will address this knowledge gap together with dr. Natalie van Dis
and prof. dr. Marcel Visser at the Department of Animal Ecology at the
Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), as part of an NWO ENW
M2 grant funded in collaboration with dr. Maurijn van der Zee at the
Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL)

*How?*
You will set up and carry out an extensive trait characterization of
the seasonal timing of egg development in wild populations of 12 insect
species (true bugs, moths and grasshoppers) - including field sampling
and monitoring, temperature experiments and fluorescence microscopy -
to determine how egg development time of each species is affected by
temperature and how their responses differ.

*Selection criteria*
- Highly motivated candidate who is eager to learn
- MSc in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Entomology or related field
- Strong interest in the ecology and evolution of insects
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an academic
  research team
- Excellent communication skills in spoken and written English
- Prior experience with field work, insect rearing, lab experiments,
  microscopy and statistical analysis in R is desirable, as is the
  possession of a valid driver's license

*Apply now!*
For a full description of the position and how to apply, see:
https://vacatures.knaw.nl/job-invite/2817/

Or contact Dr. Natalie van Dis (n.vandis@nioo.knaw.nl) for more
information.

"Dis, Natalie van" <N.vanDis@nioo.knaw.nl>

(to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to
golding@mcmaster.ca)