Your function
The HFSP-funded project revolves around the concept of Socially Transferred Materials (STMs), which was defined a few years ago as an emerging new field in science: Across animals, organisms have repeatedly and convergently evolved ways to transfer materials between bodies that manipulate or support receiver physiology, fertility, or behaviour. Think of milk, seminal fluid, eggs, mucus, and regurgitates. Despite their ecological importance and applied potential, understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying STM function across evolutionary distant lineages is lacking. This project aims to combine a multitude of -omics and imaging techniques as well as functional studies to work towards deep, large-scale analyses of STM evolution and action. The focus will lie on a range of arthropods, molluscs, and chordates, with the aim to uncover universal STM design principles as well as lineage-specific variants.
Your duties
Using your experience and enthusiasm for mass spec, in-situ hybridisation and bioinformatics, you will start by refining the mass spec imaging technique for work on material from non-model organisms. This technique will subsequently be used to visualise candidate STMs, and their receptors, in specific tissues of a selected set of focal species. The most promising candidate proteins will be applied in bio-assays using freshwater snails to test their bioactivity. These candidates will emerge from collaboration among the three post-docs on the project and will require well-organised teamwork across countries and continents.
Hence, you will become part of a new, multidisciplinary team together with two other post-docs (one ant-leaning and hosted by Adria LeBoeuf in Cambridge, UK and one frog-leaning and hosted by Jenny Stynoski in San José, Costa Rica).
The results are expected to lead to shared multi-author publications in high-quality scientific journals, where efforts from the three post-docs come together in large-scale analyses of STMs. In addition, the methods development, bio-assay testing and single species findings are expected to be published by smaller author teams.
Your profile
- experience with modern imaging techniques such as MS imaging, spatial transcriptomics/genomics, (multiplex) immunostaining
- experience with protein-protein interactions and/or working with live snails is a plus
- affinity for bioinformatics techniques and analyses
- ability to thrive in and contribute to a skilled international team that will meet regularly online and in person
- good communicative skills in writing and speaking and the ability to motivate and mentor colleagues, with the option to teach undergraduate students
Candidates will be evaluated based on their level of experience with MS imaging, in-situ hybridization, and bioinformatics as well as evidence of experience working effectively and adaptively in mixed teams, interest in discovering evolutionarily conserved protein functions, and skill for synthesising complex findings for publication.
As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.
We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.
What do we offer?
A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:
- a salary of minimum € 3.546,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 5.538,00 (Scale 10) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
- a position for at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 9 months. Afterwards, the possibility of expansion exists.
We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:
- A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
- 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
- contribution to commuting expenses
- group insured for partial disability with employer contribution of 50% of the premium
- space for personal development
About us
The Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE) offers a stimulating international research environment with world-class academic reputation and excellent state-of-the-art facilities. Research in the section Ecology & Evolution covers a wide range of fundamental and applied research topics, including stress ecology, species interactions, evolutionary adaptation, symbiotic interactions, climate change and ecosystem functioning and investigates a variety of animal species. The section’s strength lies in the ability to integrate studies of adaptive changes across the entire range of biological organisational levels. We do this as an international, inclusive, and collaborative group of researchers.
Faculty of Science
Working at the Faculty of Science means collaborating with students, lecturers and researchers who are focused on their field, yet have a broad view of the world. We are proud of a positive and inclusive workplace culture within the faculty, where we work together with great energy and a pragmatic attitude to tackle social challenges. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex societal issues for a sustainable, healthy and just future.
From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, from helium to the universe and from genetics to medicine: our education and research cover the full breadth of science, from molecules to mankind. Our academic education and research are highly experimental, technical and interdisciplinary in nature. That is why we collaborate extensively with leading scientific institutes and industry. The faculty has more than 8,000 students studying in one of the 39 programms and employs more than 1,400 staff across 10 scientific departments, making us one of the largest science faculties in the Netherlands.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct
We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.
Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.
We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.
Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.
Interested
Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application.
Submitting a diploma and a reference check are part of the application process.
Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.
Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.
