We are looking for a highly motivated postdoc who will contribute to an NWO-Circular Economy project to develop insects for feed. Housefly (Musca domestica) larvae are suggested to be a sustainable future protein source for diets of production animals (poultry, pigs, fish). These larvae have the capacity to develop on organic waste streams and thereby convert low value waste in a high value product. The consortium, consisting of five partners (Wageningen University, Free University of Amsterdam, Amusca company, RIKILT and The University of Groningen) aims to obtain a better understanding of housefly biology to optimally exploit them for feed. We will investigate nutrient requirements and tolerances of the larvae, functioning of the digestive system, managing of protein and fat content, and population sex ratios to optimize mass culturing conditions on poultry manure.

The position in Groningen is meant to develop a housefly strain that sustainably produces a female-biased sex ratio (i.e. more females than males) to maximise the efficiency of mass rearing, based on the extensive knowledge about insect sex determination. The Groningen postdoc will also coordinate the consortium’s research and be responsible for fly supply to experiments at Wageningen and Amsterdam, and later for experimentation in the Amusca mass rearing facilities. The specific objectives are: (1) explore how inclusion of sex determination variants can yield stable biased population sex ratios, (2) test stability of sex ratio variants in experimental populations, (3) determine optimal population sex ratio and temperature for housefly mass rearing, and (4) develop high production strains by artificial selection for breeding on poultry manure.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and talented postdoctoral candidate with a PhD degree in entomology and genetics, and with outstanding laboratory skills. Affinity with insect culturing is a big plus. You are expected to have an excellent academic record and be fluent in the English language. Good interpersonal skills are important as you will coordinate the consortium’s research, in addition to managing your own research project. You will collaborate with external parties, and be interested in further exploration of commercial applications.

Fixed-term contract: 36 months.

The University of Groningen offers a salary that is determined in accordance with the current scales as set out in the collective labour agreement for the Dutch universities (cao) and has a range between € 2,588 and € 4,084 (scale 10 Dutch Universities) gross per month, dependent on qualifications and experience based on a full-time position. The postdoc will be located in the Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES).

The appointment with the University of Groningen is for a maximum of 3 years on a temporary contract with the initial appointment for one year extended to 2 years upon successful evaluation before the end of the first year.

Apply
You may apply for this position until 15 December 23:59 h / before 16 December 2017 Dutch local time by means of the application form (click on "Apply" below on the advertisement on the university website).
Please state the names and contact information of at least two references in your curriculum vitae.

The preferred starting date is 1 March 2018.

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Faculty of Science and Engineering

The vacancy is at the Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen. The research concerns fundamental and applied aspects of entomology, our research laboratories are well equipped for insect rearing, genetics and molecular biology. We offer a stimulating research environment for a Postdoc interested in developing houseflies for animal feed.

The University of Groningen (founded in 1614) has a long tradition of academic excellence, being one of the oldest research universities in Europe. The University is currently in or around the top 100 on several influential ranking lists. Currently approximately 30,000 students are enrolled and about 1,500 PhD students work on their theses. It has a highly international character: English is the main language in the research laboratories. The city of Groningen is a historic town and among the ten biggest cities in The Netherlands. It is a vibrant student town with a direct train connection to Schiphol Airport near Amsterdam.