The Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry (MMB; principal investigator and PHYVIR project coordinator Prof. Dr. Corina Brussaard) of NIOZ is looking for a talented and dedicated Postdoctoral scientist to join our research on marine virus ecology. You will be part of the larger research consortium project PHYVIR, aimed to elucidate marine phytoplankton–virus interactions from local to global scales.
THE INSTITUTE
NWO-NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research is the Dutch national oceanographic institute and principally performs academically excellent multidisciplinary, fundamental, and frontier applied marine research addressing important scientific and societal questions pertinent to the functioning of the ocean and seas. NIOZ includes the National Marine research Facilities (NMF) department that operates a fleet of research vessels and the national pool of large seagoing equipment, and supports excellence in multidisciplinary marine research, education, and policy development.
The research of the Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry (MMB) has a long history of studying all domains of microbial life (viral, prokarytic and eukaryotic), their interactions, and their role in biogeochemical cycling in a variety of marine environments, varying from coastal environments to the deep ocean and sediments. The department is equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories, bioinformatics resources and analytical equipment, and has an excellent level of technical support.
THE PROJECT
General background PHYVIR. Despite their minute size, marine phytoplankton are vital for marine ecosystem productivity and play a key role in global carbon and nutrient cycling. However, like all life on Earth, phytoplankton are susceptible to viral infections. Viral-induced mortality (viral lysis) of phytoplankton cells redirects the flow of energy and elements with expected far-reaching consequences for ocean ecosystem structure and functioning. Still, phytoplankton viral lysis rates are poorly constrained, to what extent viral infections affect phytoplankton host stoichiometry and functional traits as well as how this is influenced by (global climate change-induced) environmental stressors is understudied, and a comprehensive understanding of the geographical distribution of virus and phytoplankton host traits is lacking. Moreover, virus-host dynamics in global ecosystem and biogeochemical models is generally poorly addressed. Only by integration of complementary expertise, ranging from viral ecology, phytoplankton ecophysiology, molecular biology, and biological oceanography, to large scale bioinformatic data analysis and mathematical modelling, can we effectively bridge the knowledge gaps that limit our current understanding and predictive power of how viral infections impact phytoplankton communities and associated biogeochemical fluxes.
The PHYVIR project aims to elucidate marine phytoplankton-virus interactions from local to global scales. It focuses on five interlinked objectives, related to the above-mentioned knowledge gaps. The research spans from genetic analysis and controlled experiments to oceanic expeditions and global ecosystem models. The project consists of 5 PhD and 2 Postdoc positions and is led by Prof. Corina Brussaard (NIOZ, coordinator), Prof. Jef Huisman (University of Amsterdam), Prof. Dedmer vd Waal (NIOO), Dr. Susanne Wilken (University of Amsterdam) and Dr. Thomas Hackl (University Groningen).
The current vacancy regards the Postdoc position with NIOZ, aimed to start preferably autumn 2025.
Postdoc research and role. The frontier-based research linked to this 45-month Postdoc position within the interdisciplinary PHYVIR project aims to provide insight into the geography and traits of phytoplankton viruses and their hosts in the Atlantic Ocean, as well as host loss rates (viral lysis, grazing, and sinking rates), and the classification of the viruses they are infected by (using targeted omics).
A pro-active involvement to further develop and take this Postdoc’s research forward is desired and expected. You are, furthermore, invited to join in the daily supervision of PhD-1 (phytoplankton-virus functional traits) and there will be close collaboration with the other PhDs on competition and multi-omics, and with the other Postdoc within PHYVIR to discuss and provide input for the (global) ecosystem model. Besides publishing your research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presenting your results at meetings and international symposia, you are expected to actively exchange ideas and results within the larger PHYVIR team, join the project’s two scientific cruises, supervise MSc-students who wish to do an internship on marine phytoplankton virus ecology, and contribute to some of the project’s outreach activities.
Depending on your interest, talents and wishes, there will be opportunities to progress leadership, organizational, communication, and project management skills.
THE CANDIDATE
PhD in relevant discipline
The perfect candidate* has thorough scientific expertise in marine viral ecology, microbiological oceanography, and microbial meta-omics techniques
Ideally*, you have comprehensive experience with sea-going fieldwork, functional ecology of phytoplankton, viral lysis rate measurements, flow cytometry & cell sorting, spatiotemporal research, (targeted) transcriptomics and bioinformatics
A demonstrated ability to work with programming software (e.g., R, Phyton, Matlab)
Trait-based research interest, and proficient knowledge of food web dynamics, biogeochemical fluxes and the biological carbon pump is highly appreciated.
Strong practical skills with the ability to work organized, accurately and adaptively
Highly self-motivated, able to work both independently and as part of a team
Excellent cognitive and communication (in English) skills both written in peer-reviewed literature and orally through presentations at meetings and conferences
Previous experience with supervision of students, outreach and/or machine learning would be advantageous
*We understand that candidates may not meet all these criteria from the start.
We want to be a transparent institute with a healthy working climate and an inclusive culture, where people from diverse backgrounds and gender bring their talents and further develop these talents. We aim for inclusive decision-making processes and expect our leadership to show visible commitment, awareness of bias, and cultural intelligence.
CONDITIONS
Employment of this full-time position (40-hour week) hat Royal NIOZ is by NWO-I
Salary compliant with CAO-WVOI (Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Research Institutes) scale 10 or 11 depending on relevant experience.
The freedom to fulfill your role and space and opportunities for your personal (talent) development with the help of the NIOZ Academy.
338 annualized holiday hours for a full-time 40-hour work week.
Pension scheme via ABP, 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.33%.
2nd class public transportation travel is reimbursed 100%.
Employment benefits plan to exchange a portion of your salary for days off or vice versa, or can be used to purchase a bicycle with tax benefits.
We offer relocation expenses for employees coming from abroad and support with finding accommodation.
MORE INFORMATION
There is some flexibility concerning the starting date of this PD-position.
Deadline for submission: 13 June 2025, midnight CET
Please note, we plan to have short online interviews on 23 June 2025 and in-person interviews at NIOZ-Texel location on 2 July 2025.
For additional information about this vacancy, please contact Prof Dr. Corina Brussaard. For additional information about the procedure, please send an e-mail to [email protected]
