Postdoc Development of an optics- and microfluidics-based single-cell platform for microbiome research

Are you just as excited as we are about the fascinating world of microorganisms, and how they can help us improving human, animal and environmental health? As a Postdoc with experience in single-cell research, you will be part of a new, innovative research facility called UNLOCK that enables innovative research on microbial communities. Are you our new colleague?

You will work in a dynamic team of motivated researchers, technicians and students that are developing and applying state of the art research tools to investigate the occurrence and functioning of microorganisms in interaction with each other and their environment.

As postdoc within UNLOCK you will focus on further optimizing our existing Raman-assisted single cell platform for the characterization and cultivation of yet uncultured microorganisms. Your activities will be embedded in the Biodiscovery platform that allows its users to discover and characterize new microorganisms. We invite applications for a 2-year postdoc. This challenging and interdisciplinary position is at the cross-roads of engineering of advanced optical systems for single-cell imaging, microfluidics, and microbiology. The position will be shared and supported by the Laboratory of Microbiology (Smidt group), the Laboratory of Biophysics (Hohlbein group) and the Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter (Deshpande group).

In this position you will:

• optimize and further expand single-cell based systems for discovery and characterization of novel microorganisms;
• operate in an interdisciplinary team of microbiologists, physicists, chemists, and engineers;
• provide expertise and support to internal and external users of the UNLOCK facilities;
• participate in our educational activities.

What is UNLOCK
UNLOCK is a national research facility with the goal to unlock the potential of microbial mixed cultures for a broad range of societal and biotechnological applications. Microorganisms are born team-players, and having the right team is essential for the cleaning of polluted water and soil, biobased production of e.g. bioplastics, stimulation of plant growth, production of fermented foods as well as for a healthy digestion of humans and animals. The Dutch Research Council (NWO) invests together with Wageningen University & Research and Delft University of Technology twenty-five million euro in UNLOCK.
UNLOCK consists of four complementary, fully integrated state of the art research platforms; a Biodiscovery platform (WUR-Microbiology), a Modular bioreactor platform (WUR-Environmental Technology), a Parallel Bioreactor platform (TUD-Biotechnology) and a FAIR data platform (WUR-Systems & Synthetic Biology).

Requirements:

As PostDoc you are an ambitious, enthusiastic and creative scientist and a team player, devoted to research and education.

You also have:

• a PhD degree in engineering, (bio-) physics, microbiology, chemistry or related subject;
• a proven track record of setting up scientific instrumentation (e.g., microscopy / spectroscopy, microfluidics, single-cell analysis);
• proven programming skills for data acquisition and data analysis (e.g., in Python, Matlab, Java);
• basic knowledge and interest in microbial ecology and molecular biology;
• a talent to inspire PhD candidates and other researchers;
• ability in acquisition and proposal writing for getting research funding;
• excellent communication and organization skills;
• didactic qualities and enthusiasm for teaching and working with students.

In our international working environment there is a large amount of communication in English. For this position, a language level C2 is required.

Salary Benefits:

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

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and 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 December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between € 3.378,- and € 5.331,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10). Additionally, a contract for 0,8 FTE can be discussed.We offer you a temporary contract for the duration of two years. Of course, we are happy to have a conversation with you if you have any questions about this.

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 20th consecutive time.

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. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account, dual career programs 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.

38 hours per week

Droevendaalsesteeg