Job Title: Hydraulic Engineer-EcohydrologistContract Duration: 20/04/2026 - 31/07/2026Location: 9000 Ghent, BelgiumWork status: HybridLanguages: Dutch Description:You have a strong background in ecohydrology and enjoy working with data.You have analytical and synthesising skills to deal with data and generate policy-relevant output.You can conduct independent research.You have excellent communication skills and can network effectively with various stakeholders.You are motivated to contribute to research on nature restoration and the preservation of biodiversity in Flanders.What will you do?Analysing a local problem and investigating possible solutions based on existing studies and field visits.Actively looking for new research ideas and realisation opportunities.Conducting an audit of an existing development plan to provide insight into the effects of the area and to propose improvements and adjustmentsRESEARCH QUESTIONReasonThe Haasop was created during the construction of the port area on the Left Bank of the Scheldt. The former polder area was reclaimed in the 70s into a sandy plain 500 m wide and 4 km long. In subsequent years, nature reshaped the area, creating a pattern of valuable reed beds, shrubs, and sparse grasslands. The soil structure is anthropogenic and characteristic of reclaimed sites, consisting of (underground) pressure dikes and heterogeneous filling with silt and calcareous sandy mortar.In the context of the preparation of a nature management plan for the Haasop nature reserve, a development plan was developed with the intention of optimising the area in function of several nature objectives. Target species for which this design is proposed are Marsh Harrier, Bluethroat, Porcelain Grouse, Green Tuberous Orchid, Natterjack Toad and Lake Bat.The management of this area is aimed at providing a sufficiently large and high-quality habitat for the habitat-typical breeding bird species.In the Haasop, some habitat spots are comparable to the habitat type 'Moist dune valleys (EU code: 2190)' with characteristic species such as green tuberous orchid, summer bitterling and marsh wasp orchid. Management should be aimed at making the most important population of green tuberous orchid in Flanders more robust.The hydrology of the locations of the green tuberous orchid must be optimised. In dry years, the water sinks faster than is optimal; in very wet years, the water remains high for too long. Measures that may be considered are:Sealing possible leaks from the historic spray dikes by means of a ground screen, similar to the works carried out by MLSO in the winter of 2021-2022; Replenishing the groundwater by allowing external rainwater to seep in outside the relevant management classification.Creating the possibility of draining an excess of water in very wet years.Maintaining pioneer situations on artificial soil comparable to moist dune valleys.To prevent natural succession towards willow and birch thickets.The development plan provides for a set of measures consisting of bank bevels along existing canals, ground level reductions in the context of additional habitat for green tuberous orchid and natterjack toad. Installation of adjustable weirs so that the groundwater and surface water levels can be better controlled. Embankments for the purpose of improving the habitat for the natterjack toad, but also to buffer the area for the environment. Documentation (this is provided to researchers via SharePoint)Nature management plan in preparation, Haasop, in PDF and in DWG (for charging in AutoCAD EDM)Access to data loggers and archives of dataIMDC studySpecies protection plan for the Green Orchid and Natterjack ToadRapporten INBO:Problem definitionThe ground level reductions proposed in the development plan, with the intention of creating additional habitat for green tuberous orchid, create more open water, and it is feared that the area would dry out more due to increased evapotranspiration, which could cause the quality of the current growing sites of green tuberous orchid to deteriorate. We would therefore like to have an ecohydrological calculation made in order to be able to better estimate the difference between the current and planned situation and to make adjustments if necessary.b/In the event that the proposed ground level reductions would lead to a significant deterioration of the current growth sites, we would like to have substantiated guideline figures to be able to adjust the development plan.More generally, we are looking for measures that optimise the hydrology of the site as much as possible. Are there additional measures that can contribute to this? Are there aspects of the development plan that would be better adapted to ensure more optimal control of the water level?Purpose of the assignmentWith this ROK, we want to hire the expertise of a hydrologist or an engineer to:Analysing the development plan and screening it in function of the research question; Regular feedback with the client to report and draw conclusionsFormulating proposals to optimise the development planSkills & ExperienceAutoCAD Data Analysis Ecohydrology Problem Analysis Stakeholder Communication