Do you want to participate in a multidisciplinary programme studying the fundamentals of photoprotection in photosynthesis from the molecular level up to the leaf level? Do you want to apply and further develop ultrafast fluorescence methods to study molecular switching processes in plant leaves in real time? Do you want to contribute to create the basis for translating fundamental scientific findings into potential applications in crop improvement. We have a vacancy for a postdoctoral position for studying photoprotective switching in photosynthesis with the use of ultrafast fluorescence spectroscopy.

You will participate in a project called NWO GROOT, "Nanoscale regulators of photosynthesis". It is executed by a consortium of several universities and therefore you are part of a team. The aim of the project is to understand the nanoscale mechanisms of light-stress regulation in photosynthesis.

You will:

• Further develop an ultrafast fluorescence method that we recently introduced for studying photoprotection mechanisms in plants (Farooq et al, Nature Plants 4 (2018) 225);
• apply this method to study the response of a variety of plants to strong variations in the light conditions;
• perform additional experiments with advanced microscopy setups in the Wageningen MicroSpectroscopy Research Facility (https://www.wur.nl/en/Value-Creation-Cooperation/Microspectroscopy-Research-Facility.htm);
• analyze complex data;
• collaborate with other members of the Laboratory of Biophysics (more information on our team can be found at (http://www.bip.wur.nl/UK/);
• disseminate your results by writing articles for leading peer-reviewed journals and presenting at international conferences.

• A PhD degree in biophysics, experimental physics, physical chemistry, or a related discipline;
• experience with designing and performing experiments;
• experience in the field of advanced spectroscopy, preferably with applications to biological systems;
• excellent skills in data analysis and analysis of complex problems;
• excellent English language proficiency (a minimum of CEFR C2 level);
• excellent communication, presentation, and writing skills;
• a creative nature with a strong interest in solving scientific challenges.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• Sabbatical leave, study leave, and paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between € 2790,-. and € 4402,-. for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10).

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the Best University in the Netherlands for the 16th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

Wageningen University & Research

The Laboratory of Biophysics (BIP). We engage in research of the physical aspects of life processes and teaching of the fundamentals of physics and biophysics and their application in the life sciences. The research of BIP relies both on optical and magnetic resonance techniques. BIP is a dynamic international team comprising around 10 staff members, 20-25 PhD students and post-docs. More information on our team can be found at http://www.bip.wur.nl/UK/. BIP is embedded in the BioMolecular Sciences cluster and participates in the MicroSpectroscopy Research Facility (https://www.wur.nl/en/Value-Creation-Cooperation/Microspectroscopy-Research-Facility.htm) and the MAGNEFY NMR research facility (https://www.wur.nl/en/Value-Creation-Cooperation/Facilities/MAGNEtic-resonance-research-FacilitY.htm).

Wageningen University & Research
The mission of Wageningen University and Research is "To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life". Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.

With its roughly 30 branches, 6.500 employees and 12.500 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen's unique approach. WUR has been named Best Employer in the Education category for 2019-2020.

These are the points our employees list as good reasons to come work at WUR: read the 5 reasons to come work at WUR.

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.