The position involves support for research projects in the field of ecology and evolution and management of a molecular laboratory. As a technician in molecular ecology, you are responsible for the setup, optimisation, performance and evaluation of methods and techniques in molecular ecology, and potentially the development and implementation of new techniques. We are looking for a colleague with experience with PCR-based techniques, meta-barcoding and bio-informatics, and preferentially with a clear interest in ecology and experience in analyzing NGS-datasets. Lab management tasks include laboratory maintenance, purchasing of lab supplies and safety/waste management. You will be involved in teaching, training and support of researchers and students.

Organisation
Founded in 1614, the University of Groningen enjoys an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative centre of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. Flexible study programmes and academic career opportunities in a wide variety of disciplines encourage the 36,000 students and researchers alike to develop their own individual talents. As one of the best research universities in Europe, the University of Groningen has joined forces with other top universities and networks worldwide to become a truly global centre of knowledge.

The Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), the largest institute of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), fills a special niche in the life sciences by covering and integrating mechanistic, evolutionary and ecological approaches to study adaptation at all levels of biological organisation. Researchers pursue fundamental questions while collaborating with partners from nature conservation, industry, medicine and other realms of society. Our research fields include ecology, conservation biology, evolutionary biology, behavioural biology, chronobiology, genetics and genomics, neurobiology, physiology and theoretical modelling, using a wide array of research tools. Study systems range from molecular and organismal levels to populations and ecosystems, under laboratory, semi-natural and field conditions.

The Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES) at the University of Groningen has a vacancy for a Molecular Research Technician.

The molecular research technician will mainly work for the Conservation Ecology expertise group, but is expected to be willing to work elsewhere in the institute as well. The Conservation Ecology group studies how natural populations and ecological communities function, and how they adapt to ongoing human induced environmental change. Research includes studies on migrant birds, predators of meadowbirds, sea grass restoration, marine food-webs and foodwebs of African savannas, and most studies focus on quantifying diets, biodiversity or diseases through metabarcoding.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated and independent co-worker who enjoys laboratory work, equipment maintenance, lab management, training and support of students and researchers, as well as implementation and optimisation of new molecular techniques.

- at least a HBO-degree in biology or relevant related field (e.g. molecular biology)
- at least one year working experience in a molecular biology laboratory
- demonstrated ability to execute working tasks efficiently and with rigour
- demonstrated ability to independently acquire and implement novel molecular protocols and perform troubleshooting
- proficiency in standard productivity software, such as Microsoft Office, basic genetic software (e.g. sequencing visualisation and microsatellite genotyping) as well as database entry and management)
- experience with student training and supervision in the lab
- good communication skills and a strong command of both written and spoken English.

Fixed-term contract: 12 months.

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

- a salary depending on qualifications and work experience minimally € 2,471 gross per month up to a maximum of € 3,336 (salary scale 7) gross per month for a full-time position
- a holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income and an 8.3% year-end bonus
- an employment contract of 1.0 FTE for an indefinite period of time is possible. This depends on developments in the organisation and on the way in which you fulfill your position.