We are looking for

The Medema research group develops innovative computational approaches to identify novel natural product biosynthetic pathways and connect them to specific molecules and phenotypes. Plant microbiomes represent an untapped resource of microorganisms and natural bioactive compounds that significantly contribute to plant resilience to pathogens and abiotic stresses. In this project, you will implement innovative metagenomic and metatranscriptomics strategies to systematically connect stress resilience in crops to specific microbial species and bioactive metabolites in endosphere microbiomes. You will work closely with PhD students and postdocs appointed on the same project at NIOO-KNAW, Utrecht University and Leiden University, which will make it possible to unravel the chemical products and ecological roles of the pathways you identify. In the end, the research is projected to lead to fundamental new insights into microbe-microbe and plant-microbe interactions in the endosphere microbiome, and may result in the industrial development of novel crop protection solutions for agriculture.
 

We ask

We are looking for an ambitious, enthusiastic team player and result-driven scientist with:

  • an excellent academic record (MSc) in bioinformatics or computational biology;
  • demonstrable expertise in working with next-generation sequencing data;
  • proven proficiency in programming (in, e.g., Python);
  • basic to intermediate statistical and mathematical skills;
  • affinity with metabolism and/or biosynthetic pathways;
  • excellent oral and written communication skills in English (a mininum of CEFR C1 level). For more information about this proficiency level, please visit our special language page.

We offer

A full-time position (38 hours), initially for 1 year after which a go/no go decision will be taken on extension with another three years. Gross salary per month € 2325,- in the first year rising to € 2972,-  per month in the fourth year, for a fulltime appointment. The candidate will be based at the Chairgroup Bioinformatics in Wageningen. 
In addition, we offer:

  • 8% holiday allowance;
  • a structural year-end bonus of 8.3%;
  • excellent training opportunities and secondary employment conditions;
  • flexible working hours and holidays can possibly be determined in consultation so that an optimal balance between work and private life is possible;
  • excellent pension plan through ABP;
  • 232 vacation hours, the option to purchase extra and good supplementary leave schemes;
  • a choice model to put together part of your employment conditions yourself, such as a bicycle plan;
  • a lively workplace where you can easily make contacts and where many activities take place on the Wageningen Campus. A place where education, research and business are represented;
  • use the sports facilities on campus

Wageningen University & Research stimulates internal career opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are ample opportunities for own initiative in a learning environment.
We offer a versatile job in an international environment with varied activities in a pleasant and open working atmosphere.
 

More information

For more information about this position, please contact dr. Marnix Medema (marnix.medema@wur.nl, tel. +31 317 480 944). For information on the selection procedure, please contact vacaturemeldingen.psg@wur.nl).

You can apply up to and including June 14, 2020.
Applications can only be submitted online, at http://www.wageningenur.nl/en/Jobs/Vacancies.htm; please do not mail material directly to the persons above.

We are

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Within Wageningen University & Research, nine specialised research institutes from the Wageningen Research Foundation and Wageningen University have joined forces to help answer the most important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.

With approximately 30 locations, 6,000 employees, and 12,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain worldwide. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of the unique approach of Wageningen.

For further information about working at Wageningen University & Research, take a look at the special career site.

Wageningen UR has a global reputation for its ground-breaking research and innovative education in the fields of food and health, sustainable agrosystems, the rural environment, and societal development - all of which make an essential contribution to the quality of life, i.e. the supply of safe and healthy food and drink, on the one hand, and the chance to live, work and play in a balanced ecosystem with a large variety of plants and animals on the other. Within Wageningen UR, the Plant Sciences Group (PSG) brings together science education and scientific, strategic and applied research in the fields of biology, of plants in relation to their environment, of plant-related organisms and of plant production. This project will be carried out at the Bioinformatics Group within PSG. This rapidly expanding research group focuses on fundamental and applied bioinformatics research in the green life sciences. In particular, they develop and apply novel computational methods for the analysis and integration of –omics data. The group has a strong track record in genome analysis, algorithm development and tool construction. There are many national and international collaborations with researchers studying plant and microbe metabolism, biotechnology and genomics.

Equal opportunities employer
We are an employer that offers equal opportunities. We are happy to receive applications from all suitably qualified people regardless of race, gender, functional impairment, religion / belief, sexual orientation or age.
We believe that a diverse and inclusive working environment makes us a more relevant, competitive and resilient organization. Click here for more information about working at WUR with a functional impairment.

Application deadline:
Location: Wageningen University & Research, The Netherlands