PhD position at Host Microbe Interactomics

We offer a PhD position in the Hot Microbe Interactomics (HMI) Chair Group of Wageningen University & Research.

You will work on a sRNA that plays a role in translation inhibition of multiple transcripts in Bifidobacterium longum, which encode functions involved in glycan degradation, energy metabolism, stress response, and its serine protease inhibitor (serpin). The latter function plays a role in intestinal innate immunity suppression of this species and has been associated with host-health promoting effects.

This project will investigate sRNA expression regulation as well as the mechanism involved in its genome-wide protein production control. In addition, it will involve engineering of sRNA production levels to analyse its impact on the (intestinal) lifestyle of B. longum. The project will also explore the conservation of this regulatory mechanism in other bifidobacteria as well as other genera of the Actinobacteria.

Your team
You will work in the HMI chairgroup of Wageningen University & Research (WUR). Your work can involve interactions with the Bacterial Genetics and Biochemistry Groups of WUR, as well as international collaboration with a Group in Germany that specializes in sRNA structure-function analysis.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• Apply omics and bioinformatics approaches to determine the sRNA regulon in B. longum;
• Unravel the molecular mechanism of sRNA regulation of transcript translation;
• Evaluate the level of conservation of the sRNA-mediated regulation mechanism.

You will work here
The work is embedded in the HMI chairgroup. You will be directly by Prof. dr. Michiel Kleerebezem and Dr. Jos Boekhorst, who are specialists in molecular biology and bioinformatics specialists in the HMI chair group. Your project offers ample opportunities to interact and collaborate with other groups within and outside Wageningen University & Research.

• A successfully completed MSc degree in molecular life sciences, biology, or biotechnology, with a focus on molecular microbiology, or a related discipline;
• Strong and proven affinity with molecular biology and genomics research at the interface of microbial physiology and function;
• Work experience in bacteriology and molecular techniques;
• Experience and knowledge in data analysis with, R-studio, GraphPad, Cytoscape;
• Excellent communication skills in English (both oral and written) at C1 level.
• You are socially and communicatively strong, flexible, and can motivate others.

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• 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 year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The gross salary for the first year is € 2.901,- per month rising to € 3.707,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.

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. We can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, 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.

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, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 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 and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.