The Postdoc position is part of a collaborative project funded by the Human Frontiers Science Program (HFSP) together with Profs Karen Alim (UT Munich) and Marcus Roper (UCLA) to study nuclear cooperation and conflict in the syncytial slime mold Physarum polycephalum.

The scientific aim of the interdisciplinary project is to determine how cooperative and competitive dynamics between nuclei within the syncytia of Physarum polycephalum interact to produce emergent organism-scale behaviors.

The candidate will use genome-editing technologies to generate chimeric syncytia, quantify the fitness and spatial distribution of distinct nuclear populations within plasmodia growing on different selective gradients, and examine feedbacks between nuclear dynamics and plasmodial behavior. Experimental work in Leiden will be closely integrated with our project partners who will image (Karen Alim) and model (Marcus Roper) nuclear activity and translocation across plasmodial tubes.

• A PhD in evolutionary biology or microbiology;
• Experience with microbial evolution, statistics, fluorescence microscopy, and bioinformatics is an advantage.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team;
• Excellent written and oral proficiency in English.

We offer a full-time, 3 year post beginning Oct 1st, 2021. Salary range from € 2.790,- to € 4.402,- gross per month (pay scale 10 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.

Leiden University

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 more than 2300 staff and almost 5000 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.

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. For more information, see the website of the Faculty of Science.