Postdoc Comparative genomics and genome architecture in early-diverging fungi and their protist relatives (3-year position)

Your job

Are you excited about uncovering how genomes are organized in understudied branches of the tree of life? We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher for the duration of 3 years to join our team at Wageningen University & Research to study the genomes of early-diverging fungi and their non-fungal protist relatives (Holomycota). In this NWO-funded project, you will use cutting-edge computational approaches combined with experimental validation to investigate how these genomes get shaped and which proteins are involved in this fundamental process.

As a postdoc, you will contribute to enhancing our understanding of what makes a eukaryotic genome organization, and to our knowledge of its molecular underpinnings and evolution.

Your duties and responsibilities include 

• generate and analyze high-quality genome assemblies;
• characterize genome organization through Hi-C data analysis and other computational methods;
• study the evolution of genome-shaping proteins through comparative genomics and phylogenetics;
• contribute to pioneering molecular approaches in non-model organisms;
• help in teaching our courses and supervise BSc and MSc thesis students.            

Your team
You will join the dynamic research group Microbial Evolution (MicEvo) within the Laboratory of Microbiology at Wageningen University & Research. You will work closely with Dr. Jolien van Hooff and collaborate with an experienced research technician. As part of the lab, you will interact with PhD students, postdocs, and staff members studying many different aspects of microbial life. Our international team provides a stimulating research environment with excellent computational facilities and state-of-the-art laboratories.

Your qualities

You are an enthusiastic scientist who enjoys working at the interface of bioinformatics and experimental biology. You have strong analytical skills and enjoy tackling complex biological questions using computational approaches. While your primary expertise is computational, you are eager to learn and apply laboratory techniques.

You also possess:

• a PhD in bioinformatics, computational biology, or a related field;
• experience with genome assembly, annotation, and comparative genomics;
• knowledge of phylogenetics and evolutionary analysis;
• strong scientific writing and communication skills;
• prior experience with or willingness to learn laboratory techniques.

In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about language level C1.

You will work here
This postdoc position is embedded within the Laboratory of Microbiology chair group, located in the Helix Building on the Wageningen Campus. Within the chair group, you will become a member of the Microbial Evolution (MicEvo) team, which is led by Prof. dr. Thijs Ettema and co-led by Dr. Jolien van Hooff. Jolien will also be your postdoc advisor.

We offer you

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

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• 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 year-end 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 € 3.378,- and € 5.331,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10). Additionally, a contract for 32 hours a week can be discussed.

As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended to a total of 3 years. Of course, we are happy to have a conversation with you if you have any questions about this.

Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.

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.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands 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 coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account, dual career programs or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

Do you want more information?

For more information about the position, please contact Jolien van Hooff, assistant professor, by email: jolien.vanhooff@wur.nl.

Questions about the procedure? Please contact Rutger Voorrips, corporate recruiter, by email: rutger.voorrips@wur.nl.

Ready to apply?
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

You can apply up and until 6 April 2025. The first interviews are scheduled for late April, or early May, 2025.

Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

We are

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is ‘To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life’.
We pursue this mission through a synergistic approach between Wageningen University and Wageningen Research Foundation (applied research). Our research focuses on questions within the domains of food, living environment, and society. With approximately 30 locations, 7,700 staff members, 2,500 PhD candidates, and over 13,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is among the world’s leading knowledge institutions in its domain. The integral approach to challenges and the collaboration across various disciplines form the core of the unique Wageningen approach.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR.

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves and do not appreciate unasked for services from recruitment agencies. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.