Postdoc Microbiome-mediated pathogen responses in Daphnia

Are you curious about the interplay between microbiomes and disease outcomes? Are you excited about combining laboratory experiments with molecular work, and with epidemiological and population modelling? Then this may be the job for you!

About the position
The impact of pathogens on natural populations is expected to intensify under global change. Microbes living in and on hosts, termed the microbiome, appear to play an important role in shaping host responses to pathogens. A pressing question is therefore: Can we harness the microbiome to alleviate future epidemics in natural populations? We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated post-doctoral researcher to study how the microbiome mediates host responses to a pathogen, using the water flea Daphnia as a model system. The position based in the Evolutionary and Population Biology (EPB) department. EPB is part of the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam. At EPB, we work on various plant, animal and microbial systems, tackling both fundamental and pressing applied questions, for instance related to sustainable agriculture, urban adaptation, and symbioses. Our research spans a diverse range of ecological and evolutionary disciplines, including population genetics, community ecology, evolutionary genetics, behavioral ecology and ecophysiology. You will work together with Dr. M. Bruijning, an evolutionary ecologist who integrates theoretical with empirical work to ultimately understand the evolutionary origins and implications of host-microbe interactions.

What are you going to do?
You will set up and conduct laboratory experiments on Daphnia magna and its common bacterial parasite Pasteuria ramosa, using lineages collected in the field. You will combine experimental approaches, such as parasite infection experiments and microbiome transplant experiments, while monitoring both individual-level traits across the life cycle, as well as emerging population-level dynamics. You will use 16s rRNA sequencing to characterize microbiome communities, and state-of-the-art image analysis techniques that we previously developed (R-package trackdem) for individual tracking, and benefit from the outstanding computational and bio-informatic facilities. Collected data will be used to parameterize demographic models that explicitly link individual performance to population outcomes. Altogether, this projects seeks a causal and mechanistic understanding of microbiome-mediated parasite responses. You will work closely with MSc and BSc students to achieve this goal.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• conduct independent research that results in academic publications;
• plan and execute laboratory experiments in a systematic and well controlled manner;
• discuss your work in our lab and group meetings, incorporate feedback and give input to others;
• assist in supervising BSc/MSc students during their research internship;
• present your work at (international) meetings.

Your profile
You are an enthusiastic researcher who is excited about contributing new insights to the microbiome research and disease ecology fields by using experimental approaches combined with modelling.

Your experience and profile:

• interest in microbiome research and disease ecology;
• a completed (or nearly completed) PhD degree in (disease) ecology, evolutionary biology, or related field;
• ability to work independently in the lab;
• experience in setting up and conducting laboratory experiments on Daphnia or other (aquatic) animals;
• good communication and collaboration skills;
• proficiency in scientific writing, as evidenced by at least one publication;
• experience in molecular techniques and analyzing sequencing data is welcomed;
• experience in population modelling is welcomed.

Our offer
We offer a temporary employment contract for 38 hours per week for a period of 24 months. The starting the starting date will be determined in consultation with you. The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 3,378 to €5,331 (scale 10). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Researcher 4 is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• a complete educational program for PhD students;
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• help with registration at UvA- Housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

About us
The Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) is one of eight research institutes of the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam. The research at IBED aims to unravel how ecosystems function in all their complexity, and how they change due to natural processes and human activities. At its core lies an integrated systems approach to study biodiversity, ecosystems and the environment. IBED adopts this systems approach to ecosystems, addressing abiotic (soil and water quality) and biotic factors (ecology and evolution of plants, animals, and microorganisms), and the interplay between those. The IBED vision includes research encompassing experimental and theoretical approaches at a wide variety of temporal and spatial scales, i.e. from molecules and microorganisms to patterns and processes occurring at the global scale.

The University of Amsterdam has excellent high performance computing facilities. Furthermore, IBED has a dedicated computational support team with specialized knowledge of bioinformatics, (geo)database management and scientific programming. IBED also works with non-academic partners to deliver transdisciplinary science for society.

The position will be based in the Department of Evolutionary and Population Biology. Evolutionary and Population Biology Research in the department of Evolutionary and Population Biology focuses on understanding the ecological and evolutionary processes that drive community dynamics and speciation, and determine biodiversity patterns.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the red button. We accept applications until and including 29 April 2025.

Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file):

• a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
• a letter of motivation;
• a list of publications;
• the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation.

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure (for details: national knowledge security guidelines).

Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.

We will invite potential candidates for interviews soon after the closing date.

Do you have any questions, or do you require additional information? Please contact:

• Dr. Marjolein Bruijning, email: m.bruijning@uva.nl

38 hours per week

Science Park 904