PhD Student in Metabolomics

More than a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions come from the food production chain. Replacing animal proteins in our diets with plant-based alternatives drastically reduces these emissions. Plant-based diets are also healthier. However, current plant-based alternatives to dairy and meat do not have the desired taste, texture or nutritional value yet. Fermentation is a promising technology to improve this issue, but currently it is often still based on trial and error. The FERMI project will improve the predictability of fermentation processes to find the optimal production method for tasty, healthy and sustainable plant-based foods.
This phD position is centered on developing metabolomics workflows to studying the metabolic changes observed through fermentation of plant substrates. We are therefore looking for a motivated phD student to conduct research on metabolism by developing and implementing LC-MS and NMR-based metabolomics.

Your duties

• Develop metabolomics workflows (based on liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, LC-MS, and nuclear magnetic resonance, NMR) from sample production to metabolic networks and interpretation;
• Cultivation of microbial cultures to study metabolism of plant substrates;
• Implement sample preparation strategies to monitor intracellular and extracellular metabolome;
• Develop metabolomics methods that elucidate metabolic pathways associated with catabolism of plant secondary metabolites;
• Interpret and integrate metabolism readouts with functional assays (e.g. growth curves and other omics);
• Contribute and collaborate with others in data integration;
• Conduct research within the scope of the project leading to a dissertation;
• Publish scientific articles and present research results at conferences;
• Collaborate within the team, with the FERMI consortium, and with other international researchers.

Requirements:

Requirements

• Master degree in Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, or a related discipline;
• Strong interest in metabolism, metabolomics, and pathway analysis;
• Previous experience in handling HPLC, MS or NMR techniques will be considered as an asset;
• Programming knowledge (R, Python, MATLAB) may be an advantage;
• Strong communication, organizational and social skills;
• Fluent in speaking and writing English;
• Team player with the ability to work independently;
• Strong motivation for scientific research.

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Salary Benefits:

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of € 2.872,00 (PhD) and maximum € 3.670,00 (PhD) gross per month in the fourth year, for a full-time employment
• an employment contract of initially 1 year. If there is sufficient perspective, this will be extended to a total of 4 years. Your dissertation at the end of the fourth year forms the end of your employment contract.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and arrangements. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• contribution to commuting expenses
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

De Boelelaan 1108