Postdoc Development of an optics- and microfluidics-based single-cell platform for microbiome research

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Postdoc Development of an optics- and microfluidics-based single-cell platform for microbiome research

Deadline Published on Vacancy ID P1717547-1

Academic fields

Natural sciences

Job types

Postdoc

Education level

Doctorate

Weekly hours

38 hours per week

Salary indication

€3378—€5331 per month

Location

Droevendaalsesteeg, 6708 PB, Wageningen

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Job description

Are you just as excited as we are about the fascinating world of microorganisms, and how they can help us improving human, animal and environmental health? As a Postdoc with experience in single-cell research, you will be part of a new, innovative research facility called UNLOCK that enables innovative research on microbial communities. Are you our new colleague?

You will work in a dynamic team of motivated researchers, technicians and students that are developing and applying state of the art research tools to investigate the occurrence and functioning of microorganisms in interaction with each other and their environment.

As postdoc within UNLOCK you will focus on further optimizing our existing Raman-assisted single cell platform for the characterization and cultivation of yet uncultured microorganisms. Your activities will be embedded in the Biodiscovery platform that allows its users to discover and characterize new microorganisms. We invite applications for a 2-year postdoc. This challenging and interdisciplinary position is at the cross-roads of engineering of advanced optical systems for single-cell imaging, microfluidics, and microbiology. The position will be shared and supported by the Laboratory of Microbiology (Smidt group), the Laboratory of Biophysics (Hohlbein group) and the Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter (Deshpande group).

In this position you will:
  • optimize and further expand single-cell based systems for discovery and characterization of novel microorganisms;
  • operate in an interdisciplinary team of microbiologists, physicists, chemists, and engineers;
  • provide expertise and support to internal and external users of the UNLOCK facilities;
  • participate in our educational activities.

What is UNLOCK
UNLOCK is a national research facility with the goal to unlock the potential of microbial mixed cultures for a broad range of societal and biotechnological applications. Microorganisms are born team-players, and having the right team is essential for the cleaning of polluted water and soil, biobased production of e.g. bioplastics, stimulation of plant growth, production of fermented foods as well as for a healthy digestion of humans and animals. The Dutch Research Council (NWO) invests together with Wageningen University & Research and Delft University of Technology twenty-five million euro in UNLOCK.
UNLOCK consists of four complementary, fully integrated state of the art research platforms; a Biodiscovery platform (WUR-Microbiology), a Modular bioreactor platform (WUR-Environmental Technology), a Parallel Bioreactor platform (TUD-Biotechnology) and a FAIR data platform (WUR-Systems & Synthetic Biology).

Requirements

As PostDoc you are an ambitious, enthusiastic and creative scientist and a team player, devoted to research and education.

You also have:
  • a PhD degree in engineering, (bio-) physics, microbiology, chemistry or related subject;
  • a proven track record of setting up scientific instrumentation (e.g., microscopy / spectroscopy, microfluidics, single-cell analysis);
  • proven programming skills for data acquisition and data analysis (e.g., in Python, Matlab, Java);
  • basic knowledge and interest in microbial ecology and molecular biology;
  • a talent to inspire PhD candidates and other researchers;
  • ability in acquisition and proposal writing for getting research funding;
  • excellent communication and organization skills;
  • didactic qualities and enthusiasm for teaching and working with students.

In our international working environment there is a large amount of communication in English. For this position, a language level C2 is required.

Conditions of employment

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
  • sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
  • working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
  • 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 € 3.378,- and € 5.331,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10). Additionally, a contract for 0,8 FTE can be discussed.We offer you a temporary contract for the duration of two years. Of course, we are happy to have a conversation with you if you have any questions about this.

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 20th 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.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands 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 coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account, dual career programs or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

Employer

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of Wageningen University & 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, 7,700 employees (7,000 fte), 2,500 PhD and EngD candidates, 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR.

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves and do not appreciate unasked for services from recruitment agencies. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

Application procedure

For more information about this position, please contact Prof. Hauke Smidt, UNLOCK coordinator, by email: hauke.smidt@wur.nl or by phone +31-317483102.

For more information about the procedure, please contact Rutger Voorrips corporate recruiter, by e-mail: rutger.voorrips@wur.nl.

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including February 10th 2025. We hope to schedule the first job interviews shortly after the closing date.

Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

Join us and come work at WUR

At Wageningen University & Research, you work at improving the quality of life. Together with your colleagues, you seek to answer the challenges within our domain 'healthy food and living environment.'

Read more