A post-doctoral researcher to design, conduct and analyse greenhouse and field experiments aimed at reducing N2O emissions from intensively managed grasslands. The grasslands entail temperate grasslands composed of different plant species and plant species combinations and will be subjected to different climatic conditions. We look for a highly qualified researcher with good capability of coordinating large experiments and being able to work independently as well as in teams. Experience with quantification of aboveground and belowground plant traits, soil chemical, physical and biological parameters as well as with quantifying and analysing N2O emissions is essential.

Applicants for this post-doctoral position should hold a PhD in soil or plant ecology, microbial ecology or agronomy. We look for candidates with expertise in designing field and greenhouse experiments, applying plant and soil-related laboratory techniques, quantifying N2O emissions, conducting statistical analyses and scientific writing. Applicants should have an interest to collaborate at a multi-disciplinary level, within the team as well as internationally and be willing to spend several months abroad. Excellent communication and writing skills in English are considered important assets. Preferred starting date is mid-January 2020.

A challenging position for 2 years with, depending on your experience, a competitive salary from a minimum of € 3.389 per month (before tax) for a full working week of 38 hours in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement Dutch Universities.

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.

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of our University 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, it 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.

The Soil Biology Group blends expertise from the soil, plant and ecological sciences to strengthen cutting edge research and education in the areas of Fertile Soils; Soils in a Changing Climate; Functional Soil Biodiversity and Soil Biological Indicators and Land Management.

The Soil Biology group integrates knowledge on soil biota across a range of scales from the microbe to the globe. Our mission is to use soil processes driven by soil biota to develop and maintain sustainable agro-ecosystems. We have four core themes in which we focus our research:

1. The role of soil biota in nutrient cycling to enhance plant soil interactions and associated ecosystem services;
2. The species richness and community composition of soil biota coupled with soil functions (nutrient provision, carbon management, pest and disease resilience and resistance, water regulation and purification) in (agro)ecosystems;
3. How soil and land management can enhance soil health and the beneficial soil functions provided by soil biota;
4. The effects of climate change on soil life, and the controls that soil life exerts on greenhouse gas emissions from the soil.

Our multi-disciplinary team includes expertise in soil organic matter and nutrient dynamics, soil communities and biological processes, plant-soil interactions and feedbacks, trait-based ecology of soil biota, soil biological indicators and biofunctionality of carbon. The Soil Biology Group is supported by four laboratories, including; a soil biology lab, microscopy lab, microbiology lab and molecular ecology lab. We also work in close collaboration with soil chemistry laboratories and with a soil physics lab.