2022-03-11
The Netherlands Institute of Ecology is looking for a postdoc to join the MiCRop consortium.
The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) is a top research institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). NIOO-KNAW focuses on fundamental and strategic research on individual organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems.
Project title: Walk on the wild side: impact of plant domestication on functional diversification of the rhizosphere microbiome
Project description: Plant roots house one of the most diverse microbial communities on Earth. The aim of the national Gravitation program MICROP is to harness the genomic potential of root microbes as a new platform for improved stress resilience of future crops and sustainable food production. Working with groups at the University of Amsterdam (UvA), Free University (VU), Utrecht University (UU), Wageningen University (WU) and The Netherlands Institute for Ecology (NIOO), you will: (1) investigate how wild and cultivated plant species, across the plant kingdom, recruit their microbial partners to cope with environmental stress and protect them against pathogens, and (2) identify and harness microbiome functions to optimize future crop resilience and performance in a changing climate. In collaboration with partners around the world, fundamental knowledge will be obtained that will form the basis for a new era of microbiome-assisted crop production. The overall aim of the postdoc project at NIOO-KNAW is to determine the impact of plant domestication on the taxonomic and functional diversification of the root microbiome. We will search for microorganisms, microbial functions and corresponding root traits in the plant that were lost during plant domestication and how these can be restored to optimize crop resilience and performance.
Job description:
• Design and carry out experiments to unravel the impact of plant domestication on taxonomic and functional diversification of the root microbiome
• Identify ‘missing’ plant microbes, their genomes and biosynthetic genes
• Participate in the network activities and joint experiments of the Gravitation program
• Present your work at (inter)national meetings and publish scientific articles
• Supervise/collaborate with PhD students and postdocs in the Gravitation program
Requirements:
• A PhD degree in microbe-plant interactions, (molecular) microbiology
• Integrate and analyze microbiome and metagenome data
• Demonstrable experience in microbiome data analyses, plant bioassays, statistical analysis
• Experience in GWAS/QTL analyses and root chemistry will be of added value
• Willing to work at collaborating institutes abroad (e.g. South America) for several weeks per year
• Language skills: fluency in English required, fluency in Spanish is welcome
Appointment: The position is 1.0 FTE (38 hours/week), initially for 1 year, and upon satisfactory performance to be prolonged to a maximum of 3 years total. The preferred starting date is August 2022. The salary is based on experience according to scale 10 under the Collective Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO Nederlandse Universiteiten). In addition to this salary, there will be an 8% holiday pay and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%. We also offer an extensive package of fringe benefits. The Postdoc position will be hosted at NIOO-KNAW and works closely together with the other Microp teams at Universities in Amsterdam, Utrecht University and Wageningen University.
Information: General information about the Gravitation program Microp can be found at https://microp.org
Specific information about the postdoc position can be obtained from Prof. dr. Jos M. Raaijmakers.
Application: The application for this vacancy is not available anymore.
Closing date for application: 1 May 2022. Applications received later than this date will not be considered.
Diversity & Inclusion: Everybody is different. Fortunately, as this makes working together more delightful and often leads to better end results. The NIOO believes in a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would like to get in touch with candidates who can contribute to this culture thanks to their background and experience.
