In collaboration with the Institute of Environmental Sciences at Leiden University (CML), Naturalis develops the Netherlands Center for Genetic Biodiversity Assessments (www.dnabiomonitoring.nl), combining world leading expertise on taxonomy, ecology and genetics. Using our extended DNA reference collections, our high-tech lab facilities and our bioinformatics pipelines, we continuously improve and apply genetic biodiversity assessments, making them more rapid, accurate, reliable and cost effective. Applications are in freshwater quality, marine benthic surveys, soil fertility diagnosis, air pollen distribution or invasive species surveillance. Genetic assessments are already widely used for impact analyses.

To strengthen our marine activities on DNA biomonitoring, Naturalis is searching for two postdocs within the research team Marine Biodiversity. The postdocs will execute their own research projects and thereby contribute to the optimization of molecular techniques and protocols for genetic identification and detection of marine species and communities. They will also develop new proposals for additional funding.

Successful candidates will have

• a PhD in a for this position relevant discipline;
• a strong background and track-record in metabarcoding or eDNA techniques;
• experience with the identification and taxonomy of one or more marine taxa (no limitation to particular groups – could be zoological, botanical, algological, etc.) , and the willingness to work on others;
• experience in the North Sea or NW European waters is preferred but not required;
• experience in grant writing and demonstrated ability to acquire external funding;
• at least three years of postdoc experience.

Fixed-term contract: 1 year.

A contract (36 hours per week) for a period of one year, to be extended with one year after successful first year evaluation. A salary of circa € 3.000- 4.000 gross per month, circa €40.000- 53.300 gross per year, depending on experience. As an employee of Naturalis you will work under the Collective Bargaining Agreement of Dutch Museums. Naturalis Biodiversity Center promotes gender equality and wants to enhance the diversity of staff members. Feel free to contact Dr. Willem Renema (Willem.Renema@naturalis.nl) or Berry van der Hoorn (Berry.vanderHoorn@naturalis.nl) with questions about the position.

Naturalis

The focus of Naturalis is biodiversity. Naturalis, situated In Leiden the Netherlands, curates a collection of 42 million specimens; this is one of the world's largest natural history collections. We present the history of our planet and the diversity of life on Earth with permanent and temporary exhibitions, educational programmes and websites. Our research and education are maintained at a high academic level and organized in six research groups with their own expertise and focus.

http://www.naturalis.nl/