Postdoctoral Researcher in Microbial Ecology for Study in University of Amsterdam (UvA), Netherlands

Postdoctoral researcher in Microbial Ecology

Faculty of Science – Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics

Publication date3 September 2014Level of educationPhDSalary indication€2,427 to €3,831 gross per month Closing date1 November 2014Hours38 hours per weekVacancy number14-293
The Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) is one of the eight research institutes of the Faculty of Science. IBED covers a wide range of subjects, in both fundamental and applied research. Our scientific studies aim at a better understanding of the dynamics of ecosystems at all relevant levels, from genes to climate change, using a truly multidisciplinary approach.
Due to a STW grant entitled Exploring microbial diversity for extension of the boundaries of biopolymer production using parallel cultivation (ExploDiv) to Prof. dr. Gerard Muyzer, IBED has a vacancy for a postdoctoral researcher.

Project description

Microbial community engineering (MCE) based bioprocesses depend on the definition of environmental conditions that allow for enrichment of microorganisms with specific functionalities from a bacterial inoculum with a large diversity. This project aims for optimization of the selective environment for microorganisms with the capacity to produce polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). To intensify our search for promising selective conditions, and to increase the efficiency of our optimization of the production process, a bioreactor setup is developed that allows for establishment of many microbial enrichments in parallel. Subsequently, the microbial communities enriched under these conditions will be quantitatively evaluated for their functionality in relation to the microbial community structure established. The project will be conducted in close cooperation with the Environmental Biotechnology group at Delft University of Technology, where the enrichment experiments and functional characterization of the microbial communities will be conducted. The candidate will conduct the ecogenomic analysis of the microbial communities as a function of time and operational variables. State-of-the-art techniques, such as amplicon sequencing and different 'meta-omic' approaches will be applied. This approach enables unprecedented possibilities for conducting comparative analysis of microbial community structures, and allows the study of interesting ecological themes, such as functional redundancy and process robustness.

Requirements

• PhD in Microbial Ecology;
  
• experience with molecular techniques;
  
• track record in bioinformatics;
  
• affinity with Systems Biology;
  
• fluent in English;
  
• ability to work in a multidisciplinary research team.
  

Further information

For additional information, please contact:

• Prof. dr. Gerard Muyzer
  
• Research Group of Aquatic Microbiology (IBED-AMB)
  

Appointment

The position will start in January 2015. The full-time appointment will be on a temporary basis for a maximum period of 2.5 years. The full-time gross monthly salary will range from €2,427 to €3,831. The Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities is applicable. The annual salary will be increased by 8 % holiday allowance and 8.3 % end-of-year bonus.

Job application

Applications should include a detailed CV, a motivation letter, and the names and contact addresses of two references from which information about the candidate can be obtained.
Applications should be sent before 1 November 2014 to application-science@uva.nl. Please quote the vacancy number in the subject field. Interviews will be held in November and December 2014.
No agencies please
Apply now

http://www.uva.nl/en/about-the-uva/working-at-the-uva/vacancies/item/14-293.html