We are being exposed to increasingly complex mixtures of pesticides from our environment. There is great concern that these exposures contribute to the increase in neurodevelopmental diseases in humans, such as Parkinson’s Disease. Novel approaches are urgently needed to predict the effect of pesticides on the developing brain, and to explore their impact on neurodegeneration.

In this 2-year postdoctoral project, you will use the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to explore the impact of environmentally relevant pesticides on neurodevelopment and the progression of Parkinson’s Disease. To achieve this goal, we combine microscopy, developmental assays and molecular biology techniques, such as RNAseq. You will also work with chemists to relate the adverse effects to external and internal pesticide concentrations, thus contributing to the development of (quantitative) Adverse Outcome Pathways. You will develop a longitudinal imaging platform to assess the development of α-synuclein aggregation, a key hallmark of Parkinson’s Disease, throughout the lifespan of the worm. As C. elegans has a relatively simple nervous system, we foresee the use of the nematode to gain additional information as to how pesticides impact neurobehavior, motor function and cognition.

For this project, we are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to work on location at the VU in Amsterdam. You will be part of the Environmental Health and Toxicology group of A-LIFE within the VU, under the supervision of Dr. Samantha Hughes. Together with the team, you will present your results at national and international conferences, and in relevant scientific journals.

Your duties

• You will work in the lab with Caenorhabditis elegans to explore the impact of pesticide mixtures on neurodevelopment.
• Design and run the experiments to elucidate the impact of pesticides on (neuro)development and neurodegeneration
• Organise your work independently
• Communicate the results in a transparent and professional manner
• Supervise undergraduates and PhD students, where appropriate

• you have a PhD in (applied) biology, biochemistry, developmental biology, or a related field
• you will have experience working with C. elegans
• you have good wet lab experimental skills, with experience of molecular and cell biology essential
• you are a highly motivated, proactive and dedicated individual who is a critical thinker
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• A team player who can work independently in an international team

Fixed-term contract: 2 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 minimum € 3.226,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 5.090,00 (Scale 10) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• your employment contract will initially last 2 year.

The job profile is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for 0.8- 1.0 FTE.

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
• child daycare facilities available on campus
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

About A-LIFE

The position is offered within the Amsterdam Institute of Life and Environment (A-LIFE) department at the Faculty of Science of the VU University Amsterdam. A-LIFE is created by the merger between the departments of Ecology, Health and Environment and Molecular Cell Biology. The section Environmental Health and Toxicology focuses on understanding the influence of environmental factors on human and environmental health. We use this knowledge for innovative research and education.

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 the VU. The 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.

Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application.

Applicants are requested to respond before September 16th 2024 via the application button and by uploading the following documents:

• a letter in which you describe your abilities and motivation for applying to the position
• a detailed curriculum vitae with two or three references

Submitting a diploma, a reference check and an assessment are part of the application procedure.

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.

Vacancy questions
If you have any questions regarding this vacancy, you may contact:

Name: Dr. Samantha Hughes
Position: Assistant Professor
E-mail: s.hughes@vu.nl