We are looking for a postdoc candidate with ample experience in the field of insect health and insect immunology. You will characterize the immunological defences in insects reared for feed and focus on the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms.
The research will be closely connected to that of a PhD student in the Laboratory of Entomology and a PhD student and postdoc at the University of Groningen. The project is linked to those of other PhD students in the overall interdisciplinary research programme.

You are enthusiastic, proactive, like to work in a multidisciplinary team and have excellent communication skills. You hold a PhD degree in Biology or Animal Sciences or a relevant field. We look for a candidate with ample experience in insect immunology, molecular biology of animal-pathogen interactions, bioinformatics and statistical analyses of complex datasets. You are curiosity driven and passionate about fundamental research in the context of working towards sustainable food and feed production.

We expect the candidate to be proficient in the English language. This position requires an excellent English language proficiency (a mininum of CEFR C1 level). For more information about this proficiency level, please visit our special language page. Our postdocs are encouraged to supervise MSc thesis students when such opportunities arise and you will be involved in teaching activities.

A challenging position with, depending on your experience, a competitive salary from a minimum of € 3123,- to a maximum of € 4274,- per month for a full working week of 38 hours in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement Dutch Universities. Funding is secured for a four year position.

In addition, we offer:

• 8% holiday allowance;
• a structural year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent training opportunities and secondary employment conditions;
• flexible working hours and holidays can possibly be determined in consultation so that an optimal balance between work and private life is possible;
• excellent pension plan through ABP;
• 232 vacation hours, the option to purchase extra and good supplementary leave schemes;
• a flexible working time: the possibility to work a maximum of 2 hours per week extra and thereby to build up extra leave;
• a choice model to put together part of your employment conditions yourself, such as a bicycle plan;
• a lively workplace where you can easily make contacts and where many activities take place on the Wageningen Campus. A place where education, research and business are represented;
• use the sports facilities on campus

Wageningen University & Research stimulates internal career opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are ample opportunities for own initiative in a learning environment. We offer a versatile job in an international environment with varied activities in a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is "To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life". Within Wageningen University & Research, nine specialised research institutes from the Wageningen Research Foundation and Wageningen University have joined forces to help answer the most important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.

With approximately 30 locations, 5,000 employees, and 10,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain worldwide. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of the unique approach of Wageningen.

For further information about working at Wageningen University & Research, take a look at thespecial career site.

The Laboratory of Entomology of Wageningen University addresses the ecology of insects with a focus on understanding underlying mechanisms. At the Laboratory of Entomology the research teams consist of ambitious scientists and we aim at an interdisciplinary approach from cellular to community level to unravel biological phenomena underlying the functioning of plant-insect communities, insect vectored diseases, insect neurobiology and reproduction and insects as food and feed. The Laboratory of Entomology is part of the Plant Sciences Group of Wageningen University and Research.

The Postdoc position is a colloboration between the Laboratory of Entomology and other research groups within WUR and beyond WUR, within the framework of the NWA-funded research programme on Insects as Sustainable Feed. In this programme we take an interdisciplinary approach involving natural scientists, social scientists, NGO's and regulatory organisations. The postdoc will be member of a larger team of PhDs, post-docs and staff and stakeholders all contributing to the same goal of assessing the value of insects as sustainable feed for a circular economy.

Equal opportunities employer
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.