Technician in plant-fungal symbiosis

The Fungal Symbiosis group (A-LIFE, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, is accepting applications for a two year fully-funded technician position to work on plant-microbe interactions and to join the

consortium. 

Location: AMSTERDAM
FTE: 0.8 - 1

Our group focuses on the cellular dynamics of mycorrhizal fungi, an important symbiotic fungus that provides plants with nutrients. We use advanced microscopy techniques, high throughput imaging and video analysis, molecular quantification and tagging, and genetic transformation techniques to achieve a quantitative understanding of the cellular processes underlying the plant-mycorrhizal symbiosis.

Applications are welcome for a technician with a track record in microbiology, molecular biology, plant sciences and/or mycology. Priority will be given to those who have previous experience working with fungi and bacteria in sterile culturing environments.

Your duties
The technician will work independently to maintain a large and active fungal collection, using sterile microbiological techniques to culture/extract fungi, bacteria and plant tissue. This requires precise planning and exceptional organizational skills. The technician will also be responsible for running molecular analysis (DNA extraction, PCCR, qPCR and droplet digital PCR), microscopy, overseeing experiments, data collection and management, analysing results and writing reports. Willingness to learn new micro-fabrication techniques is very useful. The lab communicates predominately in English.

• training as an Analist HBO-level (or equivalent experience) with specialization in microbiology or related field
• hands-on experience with:
  • sterile microbiological techniques
  • molecular biology techniques (DNA extraction, regular PCR, qPCR or/and ddPCR, or/and genetic transformation)
  • plant growth experiments
  • microscopy
• excellent ability to communicate in both written and spoken English
• work independently and have extraordinary organizational skills
• good social skills, strong scientific motivation, and pro-active team member
• disposition to be part of multidisciplinary research across labs, and be open to suggestions

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. On full-time basis the remuneration amounts to a minimum gross monthly salary of €2,818 (scale 8)

and a maximum €3,724 (scale 8), depending on your education and experience. The job profile: is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for at least 0.8 FTE.

The initial employment contract will affect a period of 1 year.
Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• contribution to commuting expenses

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavor – from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 31,000 students. We employ over 5,000 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible and located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
We are an inclusive university community. Diversity is one of our most important values. We believe that engaging in international activities and welcoming students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds enhances the quality of our education and research. We are always looking for people who can enrich our world with their own unique perspectives and experiences.

The Faculty of Science
Working at the Faculty of Science means working together with students, PhD candidates and scientists who are focused on their discipline, yet also have a broad view of the world. We are proud of the collegial working environment within the faculty, which is characterised by an ambitious and pragmatic attitude with commitment to the bigger picture. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex social issues for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, from genetics to pharmaceuticals and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research cover the full breadth of the natural sciences. Scientific teaching and research is highly experimental, technical, computational and interdisciplinary in nature. This is why we collaborate extensively with leading research institutes and industry. The faculty has over 11,000 students studying across 40 educational programmes and employs over 1,600 staff spread over 10 scientific departments, making us the largest science faculty in the Netherlands.

About the A-LIFE institute
The sub-department A-LIFE / Ecology and Evolution (https://a-life-vu.nl/ecologyevolution/ ) offers a stimulating international research environment with world-class academic reputation, and excellent state-of-the-art facilities. Research in the department covers a wide range of fundamental and applied research topics, including stress ecology, species interactions, evolutionary adaptation, symbiotic interactions, climate change and ecosystem functioning. Our strength lies in the ability to integrate studies of adaptive changes across the entire range of biological organizational levels.

Start date
As soon as possible, preferably July 2023.

Are you interested in this position? Please apply via the application button and upload your curriculum vitae and cover letter until

. The job interviews are planned for the second week of June, when possible please take them into account when applying for the position.

Submitting a diploma and a reference check are part of the application process.

Applications received by e-mail will not be processed.

Vacancy questions
If you have any questions regarding this vacancy, you may contact:

Name: Dr. V. Kokkoris
Position: Assistant Professor
E-mail: [email protected]

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