Your job
Are you our new Staff Scientist Bioinformatics? We seek to hire an expert who is dedicated to implement, support, and develop bioinformatics strategies used in the breath of our research palette. The hiring of a permanent staff scientist in bioinformatics will ensure continued support to our research, and integration of computational and bioinformatics elements into our teaching curriculum.
What will you do?
You will, in consultation with the research group leaders at the Biochemistry department, spearhead the bioinformatics activities at the department, with the aim to boost our bioinformatics capabilities in support of established and future research lines. A pro-active attitude towards developing new strategies is strongly encouraged, but it is not initially foreseen that you, as staff scientist, will develop an independent research group within the department.
Your duties and responsibilities include:
- Carrying out and supporting the design, execution and analysis of bioinformatics experiments
- Training junior scientists (MSc/PhDs/PDs) in designing and executing bioinformatics analyses
- Advance bioinformatics activities at BIC, in consultation with and at the request of the group leaders
- Maintain our in-house computational infrastructure and workstation software, data management and data quality control
- Contribute to teaching activities in the area of computational biology and bioinformatics
You will collaborate closely with all group leaders in the department.
The 6 research groups at the Laboratory of Biochemistry of Wageningen University study a diverse range of biological questions at the intersection of evolutionary biochemistry, microbiology, and developmental, cellular, structural, and mechano-biology. All groups rely strongly on the use of bioinformatic strategies that include Next Generation Sequencing data processing and analysis. We use hidden Markov model profile development and utilization in multiple sequence alignments and phylogenetic analyses. Furthermore, we employ AI-driven structure prediction, experimental protein/DNA/RNA structure elucidation and analysis. Therefore, bioinformatics has become an integral part of the research in our laboratory, and requires an embedded bioinformatician.
Your qualities
You have a PhD in bioinformatics, preferably with post-doctoral experience. You have a strong biology background and have demonstrated independent expertise in the establishment and execution of bioinformatics analyses, for example:
- Processing and analysis of NGS data (maintaining pipelines, pipeline development, training other people to use pipelines)
- Collecting and analyzing protein sequences (HMM profile development and HMM searches, multiple sequence alignments, phylogenetic trees).
- Administration (tenders, data storage and archiving, curtaining datasets, data stewardship, website, updating software and infrastructure)
You also have experience in:
- Using Linux and Python
- Making scripts for data analysis and workflow magagement (e.g. snakemake, nextflo)
- Data analysis/fitting in R
You are interested in analyzing data from the different domains of life (prokaryotes, eukaryotes), you are keen to explain bioinformatics methods to others, you have a collaborative and supportive spirit, and you can operate independently.
In our international working environment, almost all communication occurs in English. A good to excellent mastery of English in speaking and writing is thus critical.
We request a scope of different qualities – please note that these qualities can also be regarded as opportunities to develop.
You will work here
The Laboratory of Biochemistry is an internationally renowned department that studies the structure and function of the biomolecules that form the fabric of life. Our Laboratory consists of 6 independent, but closely collaborating, research groups, which study the molecules of life across a broad range of biological contexts, ranging from plant development and mechanobiology, redox biology, protein folding, structure and function, to prokaryotic immune systems. We use tools and concepts from biochemistry, biophysics, and apply advanced functional imaging to cell and developmental biology, to understand the molecular basis of life’s processes. The department is home to extensive experimental facilities, excellent technical and administrative support staff, educational staff and currently 30 PhD students and postdocs.
We offer you
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
- sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially 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 compensation/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,depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between € 3.974,- and € 5.439,- gross for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 11). Initially, we offer you a one-year contract, which can be extended to an open-ended one if there is mutual enthusiasm. Of course, we would be happy to discuss this with you if you have any questions.
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 18th 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.
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. For instance under the “30% rule”, certain categories of international staff can receive tax exemption on approximately 30% of their gross salary.
Do you want more information?
For more information about this position, please contact prof.dr. Dolf Weijers, chair of Biochemistry, by e-mail dolf.weijers@wur.nl.
For more information about the procedure, please contact Rutger Voorrips, recruiter, by e-mail rutger.voorrips@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 9th of July 2023. Due to holidays we hope to schedule the first job interviews late August 2023.
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. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.
We are
Wageningen University & Research
The mission of Wageningen University & 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, 7,200 employees (6,400 fte) and 13,200 students and over 150.000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.
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.