Post-doctoral researcher on fungal ecology

The Institute of Environmental Sciences (Faculty of Science at Leiden University) is looking for:

0,8-1,0 FTE Post-doctoral researcher on fungal ecology

Vacancy number: 14697

Project:

Are you a motivated researcher who is excited to work in a project on soil fungal traits and soil multifunctionality? Do you have a PhD degree in microbial ecology, soil ecology, mycology or a related field? And do you like variation in your activities with field, laboratory, computational, and analytical work? Then this could be the ideal post-doc position for you!
We are hiring a post-doc for 2 years in a project on soil fungal traits and their relation to soil functions. The post-doc will be situated at the Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) within the VIDI project awarded to the PI.

The major overarching goals of the project are to 1) unravel the assembly and functional diversity of soil fungal communities, (2) reveal how fungal traits determine biodiversity and soil functioning, and (3) steer traits of the fungal community to recover the loss of soil multifunctionality. This will be achieved by combination of field characterization and isolation of fungi across land-use gradient, molecular and bioinformatic methods exploring the genomes of these fungi, and experiments on fungal cultures to measure their physiological traits in artificial soil systems and using for example stable isotope labelling. Further work together with a PhD student will focus on experimental manipulations of fungal community traits and ways of steering soil fungi to improve their functionality. Hence, for this project knowledge on and interest in soil fungi and soil functions are required.

Preferred starting date is in August/September 2024.

Selection criteria

• A team player with a collaborative attitude and ability to work within a team and ability to help with supervision of PhD students;
• A completed PhD degree in soil science, microbial/fungal ecology, mycology or a related field;
• Interest and expertise in soil fungi and soil functions;
• Hands-on experience in, or strong affinity with, at least two of following topics:
• molecular work, (fungal) genomic analyses, fungal culturing and trait measurements, soil functional analyses including isotopes
• Proficiency in (multivariate) statistical analyses;
• Excellent English language proficiency and proven ability to write scientific articles

Terms of employment
We offer a 0,8-1,0 FTE 2-year position with the possibility of renewal based on need, funding and performance. The salary range for a Postdoc € 3.226 - € 5.090 (pay scale 10 in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities). Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3%), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses, we have set up a dual career program. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break.

Diversity
At the Faculty of Science, we value inclusiveness and strive for a diverse community with wequal opportunities for all. We give full support to our staff in achieving their potential to become independent academic researchers and teachers. For more information about our policy on diversity and equality please go to the diversity page on our website. Female researchers are also welcome to join the Researchers In Science for Equality network of the Faculty of Science (rise.nu).

Coming from abroad
Leiden University is an international work place. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. Our Service center for international staff will help you on the way and make you feel welcome to Leiden.

Applications
Please submit your application via the online recruitment system, via the blue button at the top or bottom of this page. Applications received via e-mail will not be taken into consideration. Please ensure that you upload the following additional documents quoting the vacancy number: 14697

To apply you have to upload a cover letter (max 1 page) outlining both your motivation and your suitability for the project, list of publications, and your CV (max 2 pages excluding publication list) including names and contact details of two potential references. Please do not upload any other documents.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including Sunday 28th of April 2024. Interviews will be scheduled in end of May 2024.

For more information:
For more information about the position please contact Dr. Emilia Hannula [email protected]

Research at our faculty
CML is positioned in the Faculty of Science which is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are committed to expand fundamental knowledge by curiosity and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future.

The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organised in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelor’s and twelve master’s programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has almost 2,800 staff and over 6,000 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together.

For more information, see www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science and www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at

Institute of Environmental Sciences, Department of Environmental Biology, Leiden University
The core focus of the Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) is to perform research and education in the interdisciplinary field of Environmental Sciences. Our people are driven by curiosity to expand fundamental knowledge and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to contribute to addressing the major societal challenges of the future. CML focuses on the sustainable use of natural resources and preservation of natural capital and biodiversity. CML has a culture of mutual support and collaboration between researchers both within and between institutes. Presently, about 140 fte (including postdocs and PhDs) are employed at CML. The CML has facilities to work with soil, water, microbes, and plants including growth chambers, large field experiments and molecular labs. For more information about CML see www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science/environmental-sciences.

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