Join Us!
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is seeking a project leader for the national Holomicrobiome Institute to develop an educational ecosystem that integrates state-of-the-art microbiome science with innovative learning across Dutch universities (WO), universities of applied sciences (HBO), and lifelong learning providers. The goal is to build a coordinated, flexible infrastructure for microbiome education that serves students, professionals, and society. This position focuses on developing a nationwide Holomicrobiome training framework. You will collaborate with educational and research partners across the Netherlands and facilitate the alignment of existing expertise, programmes, and learning communities.
This is what you will do
Educational development (primary focus)
- Conduct a national inventory of existing microbiome-related programmes, modules, minors, master tracks, micro-credentials, and post-graduate offerings across WO, HBO, and professional training providers.
- Identify gaps in competencies and opportunities for synergy across institutions.
- Coordinate the design and refinement of the Holomicrobiome master track and related educational pathways (e.g., interdisciplinary modules, blended learning resources, digital content).
- Co-create new educational components with lecturers and researchers, ensuring alignment with emerging scientific insights.
- Contribute to open educational resources, flexible learning formats, and life-long learning initiatives, including the development of post-graduate and upskilling programmes.
Alignment with research groups and applied universities
- Collaborate with microbiome researchers and applied partners to translate current findings, datasets, and methods into high-quality learning materials.
- Participate in scientific and applied research meetings to ensure curriculum relevance.
- Strengthen two-way knowledge exchange between fundamental research, applied practice, and professional education.
- Align competencies and internship opportunities across HBO and WO and support the formation of national learning communities that address real-world microbiome challenges.
What we ask of you
Experience & profile
- A Master’s degree or PhD in the life sciences, environmental sciences, microbiology, or a related field.
- Experience in curriculum development, educational innovation, programme coordination, or professional-sector training.
- Familiarity with multi-level education, flexible formats, micro-credentials, and lifelong learning.
- Strong organisational and communication skills; ability to work across diverse institutions and sectors.
- Excellent command of written and spoken English.
Preferred qualifications
- Experience with microbiome research or education.
- Understanding of Dutch higher education and professional training structures.
This is what we offer you
We offer a temporary employment contract for 30.4 hours per week for a period of 12 months. After satisfactory evaluation the contract will be extended with 16 months. The preferred starting date is to be discussed.
The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between €3.546 - €5.538 (scale 10). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Project leader is applicable. For this position we can not sponsor a visa. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.
Curious about our extensive secondary benefits package? You can read more about it here.
You will work in this team
The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 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.
You will be embedded in the team of Amsterdam Green Campus (AGC), linked to the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, from where you will work with all Holomicrobiome partners to build a future-proof educational and training ecosystem with substantial societal impact. AGC has extensive experience in cross-institutional educational innovation.
Are you passionate about microbiome science and eager to shape the future of education in this field? Do you thrive in an interdisciplinary research setting and enjoy collaborating with diverse educational partners? Then we are looking for you!
Join Us!
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is seeking a project leader for the national Holomicrobiome Institute to develop an educational ecosystem that integrates state-of-the-art microbiome science with innovative learning across Dutch universities (WO), universities of applied sciences (HBO), and lifelong learning providers. The goal is to build a coordinated, flexible infrastructure for microbiome education that serves students, professionals, and society. This position focuses on developing a nationwide Holomicrobiome training framework. You will collaborate with educational and research partners across the Netherlands and facilitate the alignment of existing expertise, programmes, and learning communities.
This is what you will do
Educational development (primary focus)
- Conduct a national inventory of existing microbiome-related programmes, modules, minors, master tracks, micro-credentials, and post-graduate offerings across WO, HBO, and professional training providers.
- Identify gaps in competencies and opportunities for synergy across institutions.
- Coordinate the design and refinement of the Holomicrobiome master track and related educational pathways (e.g., interdisciplinary modules, blended learning resources, digital content).
- Co-create new educational components with lecturers and researchers, ensuring alignment with emerging scientific insights.
- Contribute to open educational resources, flexible learning formats, and life-long learning initiatives, including the development of post-graduate and upskilling programmes.
Alignment with research groups and applied universities
- Collaborate with microbiome researchers and applied partners to translate current findings, datasets, and methods into high-quality learning materials.
- Participate in scientific and applied research meetings to ensure curriculum relevance.
- Strengthen two-way knowledge exchange between fundamental research, applied practice, and professional education.
- Align competencies and internship opportunities across HBO and WO and support the formation of national learning communities that address real-world microbiome challenges.
What we ask of you
Experience & profile
- A Master’s degree or PhD in the life sciences, environmental sciences, microbiology, or a related field.
- Experience in curriculum development, educational innovation, programme coordination, or professional-sector training.
- Familiarity with multi-level education, flexible formats, micro-credentials, and lifelong learning.
- Strong organisational and communication skills; ability to work across diverse institutions and sectors.
- Excellent command of written and spoken English.
Preferred qualifications
- Experience with microbiome research or education.
- Understanding of Dutch higher education and professional training structures.
This is what we offer you
We offer a temporary employment contract for 30.4 hours per week for a period of 12 months. After satisfactory evaluation the contract will be extended with 16 months. The preferred starting date is to be discussed.
The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between €3.546 - €5.538 (scale 10). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Project leader is applicable. For this position we can not sponsor a visa. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.
Curious about our extensive secondary benefits package? You can read more about it here.
If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. We accept applications until and including 25th of January 2026.
If you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:
Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file):
- a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
- a letter of motivation;
- the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation.
Due to Dutch legislation, the UvA is obliged to recruit within the EU for non-scientific positions. If you are not a EU-citizen (including Norway and Switzerland) please do not apply for this vacancy.
Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.
