Are you interested in supporting research into the potential of soils to take up CO2 and store carbon, and the role of interactions between plants and microbes in this process? Do you love field work, and do you like working with specialist lab equipment for the analysis of plant, soil, and greenhouse gas samples? We are looking for a research technician within the NWA project “Harnessing root-microbe-mineral interactions for climate friendly agricultural soils”, led by Prof. Franciska de Vries. This project investigates the role of root-microbe interactions in forming stable soil organic matter in different soil types and under future climate scenarios. We are looking for a motivated research technician with field work affinity and experience, and with experience in measuring greenhouse gas fluxes and plant and soil nutrient and carbon analysis.
What are you going to do?
You will provide technical support for an NWA-funded project that tests the role of root-microbe interactions soil organic matter formation and greenhouse gas emissions. In this position, you will work closely together with the project team, as well as with the chemical and microbiological lab teams. You will assist in maintaining and sampling field experiments together with the project team, as well as in processing and analysis of plant and soil samples. You will be part of a diverse, inclusive, and vibrant research group, and you will have the opportunity to develop your skills and professional profile within the area of plant-soil interactions. Specifically, you will:
- Maintain field experiments and assist in the collection of soil and vegetation samples from field sites, and assessment of greenhouse gas emissions;
- Carry out routine laboratory research duties as directed by the grant PI, postdoctoral scientist, and laboratory manager, using a range of equipment for microbial community, nutrient, carbon and greenhouse gas assessment, including elemental analysis (CNS), and segmented flow cation- and anion analysis (SFA);
- Meticulous data management;
- Participate in the preparation and collation of data for scientific publications;
- Ensure all health and safety legislation is adhered to.
What do you have to offer?
- A BSc or equivalent in Biological, Earth, or Environmental sciences, or a related discipline;
- Experience in, and affinity with, field work;
- Experience of analysis of plant and soil material for nutrients and carbon using CNS and SFA analysis;
- Effective interpersonal skills, including evidence of working collaboratively within teams and with non-academic stakeholders;
- Self-reliant with ability to work independently;
- Flexible attitude and interest in developing new experimental approaches and learning new techniques;
- You value a diverse team and are willing to contribute actively to our inclusive and collaborative working culture;
- Willingness to travel to field sites (within The Netherlands) and to work flexibly during intensive experimental periods;
- Full Dutch driving license.
Our offer
We offer a temporary employment contract for 38 hours per week for a period of 6 months. The preferred starting date is as soon as possible, by mutual agreement.
The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 3.218 and € 4.298 (scale 8). This gross monthly salary does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Education/Research Officer 3 is applicable. For this position we can not sponsor a visa. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.
Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:
- 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
- multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
- a complete educational program for PhD students;
- multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
- multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
- 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
- partly paid parental leave;
- the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
- a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
- the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
- help with registration for housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.
Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.
About us
The Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) is one of eight research institutes of the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam. The research at IBED aims to unravel how ecosystems function in all their complexity, and how they change due to natural processes and human activities. At its core lies an integrated systems approach to study biodiversity, ecosystems and the environment. IBED adopts this systems approach to ecosystems, addressing abiotic (soil and water quality) and biotic factors (ecology and evolution of plants, animals, and microorganisms), and the interplay between those. The IBED vision includes research encompassing experimental and theoretical approaches at a wide variety of temporal and spatial scales, i.e. from molecules and microorganisms to patterns and processes occurring at the global scale. The University of Amsterdam has excellent high performance computing facilities. Furthermore, IBED has a dedicated computational support team with specialized knowledge of bioinformatics, (geo)database management and scientific programming. IBED also works with non-academic partners to deliver transdisciplinary science for society.
The current position will be based in the Department of Ecosystem and Landscape Dynamics, which covers a breath of research that focusses on the functioning and dynamics of abiotic and biotic components of (geo)ecosystems across landscapes in time. You will be part of the Plant-Soil Ecology laboratory, led by Prof. Franciska de Vries, a vibrant research group that actively values and promotes inclusivity, equity, and diversity. We study the mechanisms through which plants and soil organisms interact, how these interactions are affected by global change, and what the consequences are for ecosystem functioning. We use a range of experimental approaches and techniques, and study natural and managed ecosystems.
Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.
