The Faculty of Science / the Institute for Biology is looking for a:

Technician microbe-plant-insect interactions
Vacancy number: 23-128

Are you interested in using tools from molecular biology and microbiology but also to grow plants and maintaining insect cultures to study interactions between soil, plants and the insects that feed on them? Then we are looking for you! 
We study interactions between plants, microbes, insects and soil in different systems such as forests, natural grasslands, dunes and agriculture. We are looking for a new colleague that will participate in the various research lines and work in the field, labs and plant growth facilities where we carry out molecular, microbial, plant, insect and soil research. In this position you are part of an enthusiastic team, and with tasks that vary from week to week.

Key responsibilities

• Facilitate and assist in various research activities in labs and in the field
• Preparation of samples and carrying out experiments in molecular and microbiology labs
• Maintaining insect cultures
• Participate in plant growth experiments
• Ordering supplies and consumables
• Managing -80 vriezers and stocks

Your profile 

• HBO (BSc) degree in relevant topic
• Experience in molecular biology/microbiology/plant-insect research
• Fluency in English (reading, writing and speaking).
• Good social skills 
• Team player and able to work independently
• Drivers licence

Terms and conditions  
We offer a full-time, fixed-term post from April 2023 until Sept 2025. Salary range from € 2.471 to € 3.764 gross per month (pay scale 7-8)  in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses(8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. 
Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.

Research at our faculty
The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are committed to expand fundamental knowledge by curiosity and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future. 

The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organised in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelor’s and twelve master’s programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has almost 2,800 staff and over 6,000 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together.
For more information, see  https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science  and  https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at 

The Institute for Biology
The research within the Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL) aims to work on the science base of biodiversity and health, which is reflected in our leading principle Harnessing Biodiversity for Health. We perform innovative curiosity-driven research to answer fundamental questions, and solutions-driven research to help solving major societal challenges. The latter include protecting nature’s biodiversity, creating sustainable biotechnology and agriculture and increasing good health. Our research focuses on four Research Themes: Bioactive Molecules, Host-Microbe Interactions, Development & Disease and Evolution & Biodiversity. Located in a thriving scientific environment with our Faculty of Sciences,  Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, the Leiden University Medical Centre and the Leiden Bioscience Park, IBL offers an exciting, internationally oriented and inclusive place to work and study.