The newly established research team of Prof. Wieland Meyer in the Molecular Medical Mycology Laboratory at the Westerdijk Institute has a unique opportunity for a molecular biologist with experience in bioinformatics, to conduct bioinformatics research in relation to One Health. We specifically welcome candidates who can lead further developments in bioinformatics within the institute.

You will conduct bioinformatics research related to: 1) molecular epidemiology of human pathogenic fungi using whole genome sequencing; 2) fungal phylogenomics analysis complementing the CBS collection; 3) fungal genome annotation, 4) whole genome data analysis in relation to Azole resistance of environmental and clinical A. fumigatus strains; 5) analysis of metabarcoding data obtained from marine environments, 6) species discovery from diverse environments including Antarctica and the Amazon, and 7) establishing pipelines for metagenomic based diagnosis of mycoses, using long read nanopore sequencing.

You are expected to develop and contribute to new research projects and associated project grant applications related to understanding human pathogenic fungi.

You have a PhD or similar qualification in molecular biology and have worked several years as postdoc in the field of molecular mycology/bioinformatics. You are experienced in microbiology and molecular methods for fungi, molecular epidemiology, SNP analysis, whole genome sequencing, genome annotation and phylogenomics. You have excellent writing skills in English and work well both independently and in a team.

It would be beneficial if you have experience in medical mycology, antifungal resistance, long read sequencing (Nanopore), environmental studies or fungal isolation.

Fixed-term contract: 1 year (extension after positive evaluation).

Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is € 3.226 and the maximum salary is € 5.090 gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale 10 cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP.

The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment).

For a complete overview of the terms of employment, please refer to the web page: werken bij de KNAW.

Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct can be part of the employment procedure.

Westerdijk Institute

The Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute is a research institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and is located at Utrecht Science Park. The institute studies fungal biodiversity in the widest sense focussing on the taxonomy and evolution of fungi as well as on functional aspects of fungal biology and ecology, increasingly making use of molecular and genomics approaches. The institute consists of six research groups, the Databases & Software Development group and the Biobanks CBS & NCCB Collections group.
The Westerdijk Institute maintains a world-renowned microbial biologicial resource centre of living filamentous fungi, yeasts and bacteria, placing the institute at the top of mycological research institutes. The institute is a centre of expertise on mycology, advising on mycological problems of a scientific, health-related or industrial nature.
Additional information is available on our website: www.wi.knaw.nl.

Diversity & Inclusion
The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.

We will not respond to any supplier enquiries based on this job advertisement.

For more information please contact Prof. Wieland Meyer (Director Westerdijk Institute), e-mail: w.meyer@wi.knaw.nl