About the position
This unique position combines research and education, bridging the gap between biological sciences and bioinformatics training. It is a post-doc position with an extended educational task (30%). Research in this microbial ecology position will align with ongoing research lines in the department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology (FAME), with the possibility to further develop the field of microbial ecology within the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED). The educational role of this position will be to co-coordinate the Major Big Biomedical Data Analysis (BBDA), including the development and delivery of course materials and supervision of students. The major will be adjusted by the candidate to tailor Biological Sciences MSc students. Teaching tasks will focus on bioinformatics and omics approaches (e.g., genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics) in biological research.
What are you going to do?
You will contribute to both research in freshwater and/or marine microbial ecology and to education in the use of bioinformatics and omics approaches (e.g., genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics) in biological research. Your research should complement existing research within FAME. In addition, you will have the freedom to further develop your own research lines within microbial ecology by securing external funding. There are opportunities to extend the position upon successful acquisition of such funding.You will contribute to education by coordinating the biological component of the BBDA major, developing new course materials, and adapting existing bioinformatics courses to incorporate biological case studies and datasets that are directly relevant to the Biological Sciences curriculum.
Tasks and responsibilities:
- Conduct independent research in microbial ecology in a highly collaborative setting leading to peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals.
- Teach in BBDA courses ‘Genomics’, ‘Transcriptomics’, ‘Proteomics and Metabolomics’ and collaborate with course instructors and experts from the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) and the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS) to integrate biological case studies and datasets into the curriculum.
- Supervise and support students participating in research projects.
Your profile
Your experience and profile:
- PhD in Microbial Ecology or a closely related discipline.
- Demonstrated expertise in bioinformatics and at least one omics approach (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, or metabolomics).
- Affinity with freshwater and/or marine ecology
- Teaching experience and a strong commitment to high-quality, research-based education.
- Expertise in programming (e.g., R, Python, Bash)
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work across disciplines.
Our offer
We offer a temporary employment contract for 30 hours per week for a period of 12 months with the possibility to the extend the contract for another 24 months upon a positive evaluation of your performance. The preferred starting date is June 2026. For this position the University Job Classification profile Researcher 4 applies.
The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 3,546 to €5,538 (scale 10). In addition, you will receive a 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end allowance.
A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants.
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 at UvA- 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 position will be based at the Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology (FAME). Our department aims to increase our understanding of the biodiversity and dynamics of freshwater and marine ecosystems from the level of molecules and genes to entire ecosystems.
Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.
Are you interested in how microbes shape marine and/or freshwater ecosystems and in the use of omics approaches to resolve microbial interactions? Are you enthusiastic about empowering students with the skills needed to succeed in modern data-driven biology? FAME/IBED is looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in microbial ecology and bioinformatics.
About the position
This unique position combines research and education, bridging the gap between biological sciences and bioinformatics training. It is a post-doc position with an extended educational task (30%). Research in this microbial ecology position will align with ongoing research lines in the department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology (FAME), with the possibility to further develop the field of microbial ecology within the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED). The educational role of this position will be to co-coordinate the Major Big Biomedical Data Analysis (BBDA), including the development and delivery of course materials and supervision of students. The major will be adjusted by the candidate to tailor Biological Sciences MSc students. Teaching tasks will focus on bioinformatics and omics approaches (e.g., genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics) in biological research.
What are you going to do?
You will contribute to both research in freshwater and/or marine microbial ecology and to education in the use of bioinformatics and omics approaches (e.g., genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics) in biological research. Your research should complement existing research within FAME. In addition, you will have the freedom to further develop your own research lines within microbial ecology by securing external funding. There are opportunities to extend the position upon successful acquisition of such funding.You will contribute to education by coordinating the biological component of the BBDA major, developing new course materials, and adapting existing bioinformatics courses to incorporate biological case studies and datasets that are directly relevant to the Biological Sciences curriculum.
Tasks and responsibilities:
- Conduct independent research in microbial ecology in a highly collaborative setting leading to peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals.
- Teach in BBDA courses ‘Genomics’, ‘Transcriptomics’, ‘Proteomics and Metabolomics’ and collaborate with course instructors and experts from the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) and the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS) to integrate biological case studies and datasets into the curriculum.
- Supervise and support students participating in research projects.
Your profile
Your experience and profile:
- PhD in Microbial Ecology or a closely related discipline.
- Demonstrated expertise in bioinformatics and at least one omics approach (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, or metabolomics).
- Affinity with freshwater and/or marine ecology
- Teaching experience and a strong commitment to high-quality, research-based education.
- Expertise in programming (e.g., R, Python, Bash)
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work across disciplines.
Our offer
We offer a temporary employment contract for 30 hours per week for a period of 12 months with the possibility to the extend the contract for another 24 months upon a positive evaluation of your performance. The preferred starting date is June 2026. For this position the University Job Classification profile Researcher 4 applies.
The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 3,546 to €5,538 (scale 10). In addition, you will receive a 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end allowance.
A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants.
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 at UvA- 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 position will be based at the Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology (FAME). Our department aims to increase our understanding of the biodiversity and dynamics of freshwater and marine ecosystems from the level of molecules and genes to entire ecosystems.
Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.
If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the ‘Apply’-button on the vacancy’s webpage. We accept applications until and including 30 April 2026.
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;
- a list of publications;
- the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation.
Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.
A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure (for details: national knowledge security guidelines).
The interviews will be held between 11 - 15 May 2026 (first round online, second round in-person).
We will invite potential candidates for interviews soon after the closing date.
Do you have any questions, or do you require additional information? Please contact:
Dr. Petra Visser, Associate Professor, p.m.visser@uva.nl, T: +31 652602092 or Dr. Jasper de Goeij, Associate Professor, j.m.degoeij@uva.nl, T:+31 652471433.
