Are you looking for a post-doc position at the intersection between fungal ecology, fungal biology and bioinformatics? Do you enjoy developing new methods and performing quantitative biology and data analysis? The Kokkoris group (A-Life, VU Amsterdam) in Amsterdam, NL is accepting applications for a 3 years fully-funded Post-doc position. Applicants must have a basic understanding of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal biology and ecology and must be experienced with fungal cultivation, eDNA, bio-informatics, data analysis and programming (e.g., R, Python or/and MATLAB). The position will start January 2024.

Job description
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form one of the most widespread terrestrial symbiosis on earth with the roots of host plants, known broadly as the mycorrhizal symbiosis. AMF can connect with one another and with multiple plants, forming large underground common mycorrhizal networks where carbon and nutrients are exchanged. In contrast to most organisms where a single cell carries a single nucleus, a single AMF cell holds thousands of nuclei. This mysterious multinucleate biology has generated open questions in evolutionary biology. Recent discoveries in in-vitro grown AMF, demonstrate the existence of a carefully regulated genetic system, but we still do not know how these numerous nuclei can be organized with such precision in these large interconnected cells, how compatible or competitive interconnected strains affect the fitness of their plant hosts, and whether the respond in the same way in nature.

Your duties

• develop and test methods for detection of AMF molecular markers using environmental DNA (eDNA)
• model of the hyphal network organization of interconnected strains
• perform large scale greenhouse experiments to examine how fungal strain connectivity or incompatibility affects plant response
• communicate your research in local and international conferences
• write several scientific articles
• assist in (minor) teaching activities within the department
• contribute to the team spirit and help others achieve their goals

• you successfully completed a PhD in Molecular biology, Microbial ecology or a related field, with a strong interest in eDNA, data analysis and bioinformatics
• you have clear affinity with the topic of the postdoc project
• you have excellent programming and bioinformatic skills in R studio/Python/MATLAB
• you have excellent verbal and written English language skills
• you have experience with in-vitro culturing of fungi (experience with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi is preferred)
• you are a team player with good communicative abilities

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Fixed-term contract: 1 year.

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of € 4.185,00 gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The available resources can only support a position of scale 10, step 5.
• a position for at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year. Afterwards, the possibility of expansion exists.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• contribution to commuting expenses
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge
• discounts on collective insurances (healthcare- and car insurance);

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The sub-department A-LIFE / Ecology and Evolution https://a-life-vu.nl/ecology-evolution/ offers a stimulating international research environment with world-class academic reputation, and excellent state-of-the-art facilities. Research in the department covers a wide range of fundamental and applied research topics, including stress ecology, species interactions, evolutionary adaptation, symbiotic interactions, climate change and ecosystem functioning. Our strength lies in the ability to integrate studies of ad adaptive changes across the entire range of biological organizational levels.

Faculty of Science
Researchers and students at VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.

We work on new solutions guided by value-driven, interdisciplinary methodologies. We are committed to research, valorisation and training socially engaged citizens of the world who will make valuable contributions to a sustainable, healthy future.

Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Science? You will join undergraduate students, PhD candidates and researchers at the biggest sciences faculty in the Netherlands. You will combine a professional focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working climate, characterised by committed staff, a pragmatic attitude and engagement in the larger whole. The faculty is home to over 11,000 students enrolled in 40 study programmes. It employs over 1,600 professionals spread across 10 academic departments.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.