We are looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher in the laboratory of Food Microbiology
We are looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher in the laboratory of Food Microbiology
As a researcher with a PhD, do you want to apply your passion for food microbiology to safely design plant-based foods? We are looking for an ambitious Postdoctoral researcher with a great interest in quantitative microbiology. Our project aims to predict behaviour of microbial contaminants in plant-based foods to reduce food waste and ensure food safety, contributing to more sustainable foods. It is part of a large consortium project, involving multiple industrial and knowledge partners, that is funded by Top Sector Agri&Food.
You:
- will quantify the heat resistance of important microbial contaminants. You will closely work together with another partner in the project (NIZO food research), regarding experimental work on growth kinetics of microbial contaminants;
- will use experimental and literature data to develop predictive models for inactivation and growth of key contaminants in different plant-based products;
- will evaluate strategies for control of microbiological risks based on quantitative microbiological risk assessments;
- publish results and findings in peer reviewed journals.
The mission of our laboratory of Food Microbiology (www.wur.nl/fhm) is to generate and disseminate knowledge of food associated microbes to assure quality and safety of food (see the video below). In order to control food safety and quality from primary production to consumption, solid knowledge of food microbiology is necessary and both positive (fermentation) and negative aspects (spoilage, disease) of micro-organisms are studied. Quality and safety of food is relevant for public health, sustainability and also for enjoying life. This is what we teach and research.
This we do in a dynamic, international group of people with state of the art infrastructure and many national and international collaborations.
We ask
- You are an ambitious, enthusiastic team player and motivated scientist;
- You have an excellent academic (PhD) record in food microbiology or food sciences, including experimental experience;
- You have high affinity with predictive modelling and quantitative microbiology risks assessments and experience is considered an advantage;
- You are a creative researcher, being independent yet at the same time being a team player (working together with 2 other knowledge institutes and 11 industrial partners);
- You have excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
We offer
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
- sabbatical leave, study leave, and paid parental leave;
- working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
- the option to accrue additional holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
- there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
- a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
- excellent pension scheme.
In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between €2.836 and €4.474 for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10). We offer you a temporary position for a period of 2 years. A contract of 0.8 FTE can be discussed.
Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.
You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 17th consecutive time.
Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research’s International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.
More information
Do you want more information?
For more information about this position, please contact Heidy den Besten, Associate Professor, telephone: 0317-483213 or by e-mail: Heidy.denBesten@wur.nl.
For more information about the procedure, please contact Ina Lüttmann, HR advisor, by email: ina.luettmann@wur.nl.
Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.
This vacancy will be listed up to and including May 12th 2022.
Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. For more information please go to our inclusivity page. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.
We are
https://www.youtube.com/embed/INs6rdLo0ns?enablejsapi=1&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wur.nl
The mission of Wageningen University and Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.
With its roughly 30 branches, 6.800 employees and 12.900 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen’s unique approach. WUR has been named Best Employer in the Education category for 2019-2020.
Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!
We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.