In the NWO-KIC project MicroHealth, we study the role of the microbiome in the relationship between soil, agricultural products and health of humans. This relationship has enormous societal implications because agriculture has a large impact on our environment and food is the number one driver of human health.

In MicroHealth, with a team of plant and human biologists, sociologists and data analysts, we will establish the connection between the impact of agriculture on the soil and plant quality/microbiome and the consequences for the health of humans, as well as the social and political context of this connection. We will achieve this by

1. studying the impact of farming strategies on the soil and crop microbiome and crop nutritional composition;
2. an intervention study in the HELIUS cohort tracing crop-related microbiome and nutritional composition changes and

its relation to health status;

1. advanced bioinformatics analysis and statistical modelling that integrate the results of activities 1 and 2;
2. embedding the study in research on opportunities and conflicts in policies and stakeholder-networks and microbiome-related

health practises at the household level.

For integrating the metagenomics data from soil, crop and the human gut microbiomes by bioinformatics analysis of single nucleotide variants and by extension of structural equation/causal models (activity 3), we are looking for a postdoctoral researcher with a passion for interdisciplinary microbiome research and a background in bioinformatics, bio-data science and/or bio-statistics.

You will be based at the Biosystems Data Analysis research group of the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS) and collaborate with PhDs and postdocs from SILS and the Amsterdam University Medical Centre (AUMC) who will be responsible for the other activities. The Biosystems Data Analysis research group develops and validates methods for organizing, summarizing, and visualizing complex biological data through the integration of bioinformatics and biostatistics.

What are you going to do?
You are expected to:

• develop bioinformatics and statistical modelling methods for detection and analysis of direct and indirect effects

in the integrated soil-crop-gut-health axis;

• collaborate with research partners within the MicroHealth consortium;
• report and present your work-progress on a regular basis to the research partners and stakeholders within the consortium;
• publish your results in high level international journals and present at leading conferences;
• be active in the fundamental and/or applied research of our Biosystems Data Analysis group.

What do we require?
You:

• hold a recent PhD degree with a focus on bioinformatics and/or statistical modelling of microbiomes,

yielding one or more related publications as first author in a peer-reviewed scientific journal;

• are passionate about data analysis and have appropriate computational skills;
• enjoy working in inter- and trans-disciplinary settings;
• speak and write fluent English;
• have a strong team orientation plus the ambition and ability to take ownership of the research project.

Our selection will be based on your scientific track record, your vision on this research project, and your ambition and skills.

Our offer
We offer a temporary contract for 38 hours a week, preferably starting on 1-1-2025, for the duration of 35 months.

The salary, depending on relevant experience before the beginning of the employment contract, will be between € 3,345 - € 5,278 gross per month, based on a fulltime contract (38 hours a week). This is exclusive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development? Take a look here.

Questions?
Do you have questions about this vacancy? Or do you want to know more about our organisation? Please contact: Dr. Anna Heintz-Buschart Assistant Professor, email a.u.s.heintzbuschart@uva.nl or Prof. Dr. Age Smilde, email a.k.smilde@uva.nl.

About us
The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 7,000, as well as 1,600 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS) is located at the vibrant Amsterdam Science Park. SILS is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam's Faculty of Science (FNWI). With around 240 employees, SILS carries out internationally high-quality life science research and provides education within various university programs. Research is also carried out in close cooperation with the medical, biotech, chemical, flavor, food & agricultural, and high-tech industries, and revolves around 4 main themes, Cell & Systems biology, Neurosciences, Microbiology and Green Life Sciences.

Application
Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 31 October 2024. You can apply online by using the link below.

Applications in .pdf should include:

• a motivation letter and CV, including a list of publications,
• contact details of two academic referees.

Please mention the months (not just years) in your CV when referring to your education and work experience.

We will invite potential candidates for interviews in November 2024.

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure.
(for details: National knowledge security guidelines)

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.