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

 

We are looking for

• are you interested in building and optimizing a single-cell platform for the functional characterization, isolation and cultivation of microbial cells?
• are you interested in open microscopy, spectroscopy and microfluidics?
• are you just as excited as we are about unlocking the true potential of microorganisms, and how they can help us improving human, animal and environmental health?
• do you want to be part of a new, innovative research facility called UNLOCK which is part Wageningen University & Research (WUR).

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?
As postdoc within UNLOCK you will focus on developing a 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 with the possibility to extend by 1 extra year. 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).

Your activities will include, among others:

• implement 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 groups that are using the UNLOCK facilities;
• participate in our educational activities.

We ask

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 students 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.

 

We offer

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

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• 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 €2790,- and €4402,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10).

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 16th 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. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. 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 and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

 

More information

Do you want more information?
For more information about this function you can contact Hauke Smidt, manager Biodiscovery platform, telephone +31 317 483102 or by e-mail: hauke.smidt@wur.nl.
For more information about the procedure you can contact Ina Lüttmann, HR-advisor, ina.luettmann@wur.nl.

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.
This vacancy will be listed up to and including  July 30, 2022.

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. For more information please go to our inclusivity page. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.

 

We are

The mission of Wageningen University and 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, 6.800 employees and 12.900 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen’s unique approach. WUR has been named Best Employer in the Education category for 2019-2020.

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).

These are the points our employees list as good reasons to come work at WUR: read the 5 reasons to come work at WUR

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

 

Apply now