More than a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions come from the food production chain. Replacing animal proteins in our diets with plant-based alternatives drastically reduces these emissions. Plant-based diets are also healthier. However, current plant-based alternatives to dairy and meat do not have the desired taste, texture or nutritional value yet. Fermentation is a promising technology to improve this issue, but currently it is often still based on trial and error. The FERMI project will improve the predictability of fermentation processes to find the optimal production method for tasty, healthy and sustainable plant-based foods.
This phD position is centered on developing metabolomics workflows to studying the metabolic changes observed through fermentation of plant substrates. We are therefore looking for a motivated phD student to conduct research on metabolism by developing and implementing LC-MS and NMR-based metabolomics.

Your duties

• Develop metabolomics workflows (based on liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, LC-MS, and nuclear magnetic resonance, NMR) from sample production to metabolic networks and interpretation;
• Cultivation of microbial cultures to study metabolism of plant substrates;
• Implement sample preparation strategies to monitor intracellular and extracellular metabolome;
• Develop metabolomics methods that elucidate metabolic pathways associated with catabolism of plant secondary metabolites;
• Interpret and integrate metabolism readouts with functional assays (e.g. growth curves and other omics);
• Contribute and collaborate with others in data integration;
• Conduct research within the scope of the project leading to a dissertation;
• Publish scientific articles and present research results at conferences;
• Collaborate within the team, with the FERMI consortium, and with other international researchers.

Requirements

• Master degree in Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, or a related discipline;
• Strong interest in metabolism, metabolomics, and pathway analysis;
• Previous experience in handling HPLC, MS or NMR techniques will be considered as an asset;
• Programming knowledge (R, Python, MATLAB) may be an advantage;
• Strong communication, organizational and social skills;
• Fluent in speaking and writing English;
• Team player with the ability to work independently;
• Strong motivation for scientific research.

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 € 2.872,00 (PhD) and maximum € 3.670,00 (PhD) gross per month in the fourth year, for a full-time employment
• an employment contract of initially 1 year. If there is sufficient perspective, this will be extended to a total of 4 years. Your dissertation at the end of the fourth year forms the end of your employment contract.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and arrangements. 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
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• contribution to commuting expenses
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science inspires researchers and students to find sustainable solutions for complex societal issues. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to medicines and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research programmes cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. We share knowledge and experience with leading research institutes and industries, both here in the Netherlands and abroad.

Working at the Faculty of Science means working with students, PhD candidates and researchers, all with a clear focus on their field and a broad view of the world. We employ more than 1,250 staff members, and we are home to around 6,000 students.

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.

The Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CPS)
We aim to inspire through imagination and vision, within a safe and stimulating environment. We believe that challenging existing theories contributes to a better world. We push the boundaries of our knowledge in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences to pass it on to future generations. Our core values are: Inspiration, Interdisciplinary & Collegial Collaboration, and Curiosity.

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.