Marine ecosystem modeller (m/f/x)
|
Activity group |
Recruitment category(ies) |
Applications open until |
I. Scientific research and experimental development |
SW1 |
19/06/2026 |
Job description
Purpose of the position
You will be responsible for the numerical modelling component of the CAFEINE research project (“CArbon Fate and Export In the North sEa”, P4Science programme, Belspo), within the “Ecosystem Modelling” team (ECOMOD) of the Operational Directorate Natural Environment. The mission involves developing, expanding and applying an integrated modelling framework that couples biogeochemical processes, organo-mineral flocculation and the activity of filter-feeding organisms. The work draws closely on the experimental component of the project: it starts from the numerical reproduction of laboratory experiments and is then deployed in situ at various spatial scales, up to the regional scale. The aim is to quantify how artificial structures installed at sea (offshore wind farms, aquaculture) modify primary production, particle dynamics and the carbon cycle along the coast–offshore gradient of the Southern Bight of the North Sea. The position thereby contributes to the mission of ECOMOD as a centre of expertise in marine ecosystem modelling, and to the public-interest mission of the Institute, in support of sustainable management and evidence-based marine spatial planning.
Outcome areas
The activities are carried out in close collaboration with the researchers of the team and the consortium, and under the scientific supervision of the project’s senior researchers.
1. Development and improvement of numerical models of marine ecosystems — Provide the project and the team with integrated and reusable models representing the interactions between biogeochemistry, particle dynamics and filter-feeding organisms.
• Extend an existing coupled biogeochemistry–flocculation model by integrating new processes (fine-scale dynamics of phytoplankton and marine gels, action of filter feeders on the water column)
• Calibrate and validate the models using experimental and field data
• Ensure the robustness, modularity and reusability of the developments (open-source codes)
2. Application of the models and scenario analysis — Apply the models at various spatial scales to quantify the impact of artificial structures at sea on the functioning of the ecosystem of the Southern Bight of the North Sea.
• Implement the model in physical configurations of increasing complexity, from the water column up to the three-dimensional regional scale
• Design, run and analyse scenarios (baseline situation, current infrastructure, future developments)
• Compare the simulations against observations (in situ measurements and satellite data) and produce spatialised results (maps and budgets of primary production, organic-matter fluxes and deposition)
3. Scientific dissemination and contribution to project life — Ensure the dissemination and scientific quality of the results and support the smooth running of the project.
• Draft scientific publications and project reports, and present results at meetings and conferences
• Take part in project meetings and in exchanges with the steering committee and stakeholders
• Collaborate closely with the team’s researchers and the consortium’s partners
Employer
There is 1 position open in the
The activity group for the position is:
The “Ecosystem Modelling” team (ECOMOD) within the Operational Directorate Natural Environment currently brings together nine staff members. ECOMOD is an interdisciplinary team that develops and applies numerical models of marine ecosystems to support scientific research and public policy, primarily for Belgian waters and the North Sea. It thus contributes to a robust knowledge of the marine environment, in support of its sustainable management.
The Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) is one of the ten Belgian federal scientific institutions. It hosts multidisciplinary scientific research, provides public-interest services, and is open to all through the Museum of Natural Sciences.
Skills
Behavioural skills
• Integrating information: Establishing links between various sets of data, generating alternatives and drawing sound conclusions
• Innovating: Thinking innovatively by bringing forward novel and creative ideas
• Deciding: Making decisions based on (in)complete information and initiating targeted actions to implement those decisions
• Achieving objectives: Demonstrating commitment, willingness and ambition to deliver results and taking responsibility for the correctness of actions undertaken
• Acting with reliability: Acting with integrity in line with the expectations of the organisation, respecting confidentiality, honouring commitments and avoiding any form of bias
• Self-development: Actively planning and managing one’s own growth in line with one’s possibilities, interests and ambition, critically questioning one’s own functioning and continuously acquiring new insights, skills and knowledge
• Working as a team: Creating and fostering team spirit by sharing one’s views and ideas and contributing to the resolution of conflicts between colleagues
Technical skills
• Good programming skills in the classical languages used in scientific computing (Fortran, Python, R, …) and the ability to understand and further develop existing code.
• Basic skills in numerical and mathematical modelling (translating processes into equations, solving systems of equations) and a strong willingness to deepen this practice.
• Ability to analyse, process and visualise scientific data.
Assets
• Knowledge of oceanography, marine biogeochemistry or particle dynamics.
• Knowledge of a modular and open-source modelling framework, or of a 3D reaction–transport model of the marine environment (e.g. the Institute’s COHERENS system).
• Familiarity with marine observation data (in situ measurements, satellite products).
• Knowledge of French and/or Dutch.
• Good command of scientific English, both written and spoken.
• Operational experience in numerical modelling, in particular of marine ecosystems (biogeochemical, sedimentary or biophysical).
• Practical experience of collaborative work on code: version control and repository sharing (Git, GitHub/GitLab), good development practices.
• Experience with high-performance computing (HPC).
• Scientific contributions (publications, conference presentations).
Conditions for consideration
Degree must have been conferred by the closing date for applications
You hold a Master’s degree with a scientific focus (level A / university Master’s) in one of the following fields: marine sciences, oceanography or environmental sciences; engineering, bioengineering or applied sciences; physics, mathematics, computer science or data science.
Related degrees with a quantitative and/or modelling-oriented focus relevant to the position may be considered by the selection board.
/!\ Applicants who have a degree or certificate from a foreign institution who apply for a scientific position for which the tasks are not related to the permanent missions of the institution are exempt from the need for an academic equivalence evaluation.
Do you wish to apply but your diploma is not written in French?
We invite you to contact the person listed in the 'Contacts' section (selection procedure) to find out if you need to take a language test: Article 7 - Level 1/A.
If necessary, you can register by clicking on the link: www.travaillerpour.be/fr/tests-et-certificats/linguistique/inscription.
In this case, obtaining the language certificate is a prerequisite for selection. For this purpose, the selection committee is responsible for verifying the diploma. Therefore, please register for the language test as soon as possible.
Experience required
No prior professional experience is required for this position.
Relevant experience acquired in particular through a Master’s thesis, an internship or projects (scientific programming, numerical modelling, data analysis) is an asset and may be taken into account during the selection.
Job offer
Contract and category
You will be hired under a
Minimum pay:
Benefits
We offer you an interesting job with a social impact, which comes with a number of benefits:
· A good work-life balance
o flexible working hours of 38 or 40 hours (with compensatory adjustment) per week
o option of taking compensatory leave for overtime worked
o offices closed between Christmas and New Year's Day
o possibility of working from home
o 26 days of paid leave (for a year of full time employment)
o easy commuting using public transport
· numerous opportunities for self-growth
o numerous opportunities for training and apprenticeship (during working hours)
· Financial benefits
o possibility of receiving a bilingualism bonus
o hospitalisation insurance provided
o supplementary pension (occupational pension)
o free use of public transport for commuting between your home and the place of work
o meal vouchers
o work from home/office allowance
o possibility of receiving a bicycle allowance for travel via bicycle
o Benefits and offers via the Benefits@Work card
o a range of fringe benefits (subject to conditions)
Conditions for employment
If you are selected through this procedure, you must – in order to be hired – fulfil the following requirements on the date of selection:
· Enjoy full civil and political rights
· Have fulfilled military service requirements
· Behave in a manner fitting of the requirements of the position
· Hold the necessary degree(s)
· Have the necessary skills and fulfil the requirements listed in the job profile
Procedure
Step 1 – Verification of the participation conditions
You will be considered in the selection procedure if you fulfil all of the required conditions. Verification will be carried out by the selection board on the basis of the application documents you have submitted. The board will decide whether the qualifications, awards and experiences you have submitted meet the requirements of the position. If they do, you will be invited to continue to the next step of the procedure.
Depending on the number of applications received, the selection board reserves the right to limit the number of applicants eligible for the next step by selecting those applicants it deems most suitable for the position.
Step 2 – Interview
The interview will take place at
The selection board assesses whether the qualifications, awards and experience you included in your application documents meet the requirements for the position.
If you fail to attend
If you fail to attend the additional evaluation and/or interview, you will be automatically excluded from the remainder of the selection procedure unless you provide evidence, within three days, that your absence was justified for one of the following reasons:
· illness
· emergency relating to a member of your household (= anyone who lives with the applicant) or family (= spouse or legal cohabitant of the applicant, parents or grandparents of the applicant)
· mandatory presence at your workplace
· disruption or delay to public transport of at least 30 minutes
· force majeure
If applicable, you may request, within 10 days of the interview date, to be interviewed by the board. A new date will then be offered to you.
Notification
If you are not selected in a step, the procedure will end and you will not be invited to any subsequent evaluations in the same selection procedure.
For each step, you will receive a notification of the result.
Equal opportunities and reasonable accommodations
The Federal Administration has an active diversity policy.
Do you live with a disability, with learning difficulties or an illness? If so, you can request accommodations for the selection procedure. Please contact the individual listed under the “Contact persons” section.
Facilities provided for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding
Are you pregnant or breastfeeding your child? If so, you can request access to the relevant facilities. Please contact the individual listed under the “Contact persons” section.
Final result
What happens if you are selected?
Following the selection procedure, an unranked group of applicants will be placed on a short-list. These applicants will be those deemed most suitable to fill the open position in accordance with the conditions for consideration.
How long will this list remain valid?
The short-list of selected applicants will be valid for
Apply
Do you want to apply? Send your application documents by email to
Your application documents must include:
· an updated CV
· a cover letter
· a copy (or copies) of the degree certificates with all associated annexes if any of these documents are not written in French, Dutch, German or English, a translation must also be provided
· any other document proving relevant experience, such as:
o academic activities carried out with attestations as supporting documents (attestations issued by employers, authorities that provided grants, etc.)
o a list of any scientific papers published
The closing date for sending your application is
Applications that do not follow the indicated procedure will not be considered.
Contact persons
Concerning the position:
For more information about the position, please contact:
TERSELEER Nathan – Senior researcher – nterseleer@naturalsciences.be
Concerning the selection procedure:
For more information about the selection procedure, please contact:
DALAGAN Cryzel – Case manager – Personnel & Organisation Department – cdalagan@naturalsciences.be
If you want to request a reasonable accommodation for the selection procedure or access to facilities for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, please also contact this person.