Are you the enthusiastic scientist who wants to provide valuable scientific evidence on the potential beneficial effect of a formula for young children that contains synbiotics in supporting gut resilience, during and after the administration of a broad spectrum antibiotic? Then we are looking for you!!

The Molecular Ecology research group at the Laboratory of Microbiology (chair Thijs Ettema) seeks to recruit a Postdoc in Synbiotics Intervention and Microbiome and Health. The aim of the project is to understand mechanistic links between early life antibiotic exposure and disruption of the infant gut microbiome development and to determine whether synbiotic supplemented formula could secure early life microbiome development, by improving individual microbiota resilience. This project involves an intervention study with toddlers.
The establishment of human host-microbe interactions in early life is an intriguing biological process and important for health in later life. In this study we aim to provide valuable scientific evidence on the potential beneficial effect of a formula for young children (toddlers) that contains synbiotics in supporting gut resilience, during and after the administration of a broad spectrum antibiotic. The project is managed by Dr. C. Belzer, Associate professor within the Laboratory of Microbiology. It is in collaboration with dr. E. Brouwer-Brolsma, Assistant Professor at the Division of Human Nutrition and Health. The supervision of this project will be managed by: Dr. C. Belzer.

• You have a PhD degree in Molecular Microbiology, Molecular Nutrition or Food Microbiology;
• you are fluent in the Dutch language;
• you have excellent scientific writing skills (fluent in English);
• expertise and experience in nutrition intervention studies;
• you have experience with microbiome research;
• dynamic, innovative, energetic personality that enjoys collaborative environment and wants freedom for creativity;
• you have demonstrated potential to collaborate with partners across diverse scientific disciplines;
• our postdocs and PhD candidates are encouraged to supervise BSc and MSc thesis students when such opportunities arise and you will be involved in teaching activities.

The successful applicant will be employed at the Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research. Salary and working conditions are according to the collective labor agreement of the Cooperative Association of Dutch Universities (VSNU). You receive a temporary contract for a period of 3 years with a gross salary per month from a minimum of € 2927,- to a maximum of € 4274,- for a full working week of 38 hours.

In addition, we offer:

• 8% holiday allowance;
• a structural year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent training opportunities and secondary employment conditions;
• flexible working hours and holidays can possibly be determined in consultation so that an optimal balance between work and private life is possible;
• excellent pension plan through ABP;
• 232 vacation hours, the option to purchase extra and good supplementary leave schemes;
• a flexible working time: the possibility to work a maximum of 2 hours per week extra and thereby to build up extra leave;
• a choice model to put together part of your employment conditions yourself, such as a bicycle plan;
• a lively workplace where you can easily make contacts and where many activities take place on the Wageningen Campus. A place where education, research and business are represented;
• use the sports facilities on campus;
• a versatile job in an international environment with varied activities in a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

Wageningen University & Research stimulates internal career opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are ample opportunities for own initiative in a learning environment.

Wageningen University & Research

Within the Laboratory of Microbiology metabolic interactions in anaerobic microbial communities are studied. Anaerobic microorganisms are isolated and characterized, and their metabolic pathways and key enzymes are investigated. Integrated cultivation-dependent and molecular approaches, including state-of-the-art genomic and proteomic technologies, are applied in our research. Further information: http://www.mib.wur.nl/UK/.

The Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group is part of Wageningen University & Research, an organization that brings together fundamental and applied scientific research. We work on creating 'healthy food in a biobased society' with private sector companies, research institutes and government agencies in the Netherlands and abroad. Our innovations play a crucial role in solving the major issues which affect society today. Entrepreneurship and professionalism are key in all that we do. In short, we are a major international employer offering considerable potential for your career.

Wageningen University & Research
Delivering a substantial contribution to the quality of life. That's our focus - each and every day. Within our domain, healthy food and living environment, we search for answers to issues affecting society - such as sustainable food production, climate change and alternative energy. Of course, we don't do this alone. Every day, 6,500 people work on 'the quality of life', turning ideas into reality, on a global scale.

Could you be one of these people? We give you the space you need. For further information about working at Wageningen University & Research, take a look at https://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs.htm.

Acquisition regarding this vacancy is not appreciated.