The origin and nature of life and its distribution in the universe are fundamental questions for humanity. How did biomolecules form? How did life emerge? How did cellular functions evolve? Is there life elsewhere? Will life cope with human-induced challenges?

You:

are an ambitious scientist fascinated by very fundamental questions about life, and you are ready for the next research career step.

have research experience in (bio)chemistry, (bio)physics, molecular biology, computational science, systems biology, evolutionary biology, ecology, astrophysics or geoscience.

can develop an original and innovative idea for an interdisciplinary research project on the origins and evolution of life.

are curious to learn new scientific languages to make the necessary crossovers between your field and other fields.

Then apply for a position in our exciting interdisciplinary oLife Fellowship Programme.

About the oLife Fellowship Programme

The oLife Fellowship Programme is a joint initiative by seven world-leading research institutes of three universities in The Netherlands (University of Groningen, Leiden University, Eindhoven University of Technology). Supported by funding from the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme of the European Union, we offer 18 post-doctoral fellowships for interdisciplinary research on fundamental questions concerning the origin, evolution and distribution of life in the universe.

Using a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach, we aim to break new grounds in four scientific areas:

1. Planetary preconditions and boundary conditions of Life, and its origins here on Earth
2. Defining properties and synthesis of Life, from the molecular to the biosphere level
3. Modelling, predicting and steering of Life
4. Distribution of Life across the universe

Job DescriptionAs a fellow in the oLife Fellowship Programme you are given the opportunity to work on your own interdisciplinary research project with advisors and research institutes of your own choice.

Together with 17 other fellows, you will follow a joint research and training programme, consisting of scientific lectures, academic and professional skills training, and career guidance.

In the Netherlands, teaching and supervising students is an integral part of a researcher's position. Therefore, you will be expected to prepare and teach your own lecture series on your field(s) of expertise and to supervise student research projects.

Also, you are offered the opportunity to go on secondments with our leading industrial, academic or non-profit partner organizations.

For more detailed information about the research, the involved research institutes, prospective supervisors and the training programme, please visit our website: www.olife-programme.eu

You qualify as an Experienced Researcher, meaning that you are in the possession of a doctoral degree or have at least four years of full-time equivalent research experience by July 31, 2019.

You have research experience in one or multiple fields relevant to the oLife Fellowship Programme, such as (bio)chemistry, (bio)physics, molecular biology, computational science, systems biology, evolutionary biology, ecology, astrophysics, geoscience or a combination thereof.

To comply with EU funding rules, you will not have resided in the Netherlands for more than 12 months during the 3 years prior to July 31, 2019.

You are proficient in English language (academic level).

You will be offered a starting salary depending on the date you obtained your PhD and your postdoctoral years. According to the Collective Employment Agreement (CAO-NU) of the Dutch universities, the UFO-profile Researcher/Lecturer (scale 10) applies. In addition to the primary salary the University offers 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%:

0 years: € 3,255 gross per month for a full-time position

1 year: € 3,389 gross per month for a full-time position

2 years: € 3,514 gross per month for a full-time position

3 years: € 3,637 gross per month for a full-time position.

You will have an initial appointment of 12 months that will be extended by 24 months if you perform satisfactorily. The fellowship will not be extended after the 36 months period.

The preferred starting date is between January and April 2020.

The oLife Fellowship Programme has an inclusive policy. Therefore, candidates who have had career breaks or a diversified career path are especially encouraged to apply.