Postdoc Improve identification/unambiguous communication

Job Information

Organisation/Company: Naturalis
Research Field: Physics
Researcher Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2)
Country: Netherlands
Application Deadline: 12 Feb 2024 - 22:59 (UTC)
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Not Applicable
Hours Per Week: 36.0
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Not funded by an EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: No

Offer Description

The postdoc position is part of a European Biodiversa+ funded project called FunDive – Monitoring and mapping fungal diversity for nature conservation. The consortium consists of partners from 16 European countries. The Dutch partner in this project is funded by NWO and the project will run from April 2024 to March 2027.

Fungi are increasingly regarded as networkers, recyclers and symbionts in nature, and as crucial active agents for sustainable society transformation and innovation. New methods have enabled much deeper insight into fungal biodiversity and distribution. Citizen science has emerged as a highly engaging approach to data collection involving a rich community of amateur mycologists. The development of molecular tools that allow us to explore environmental fungal DNA from different substrates has boosted our ability to explore fungal communities. The overarching objective in FunDive is to bring both approaches together. However, they currently rely on different species concepts – the morphological species concept versus DNA barcode-based Species Hypotheses respectively – hindering comparisons of species lists across datasets. Hence, an important objective in FunDive is to provide a much improved platform for consistent naming of fungal taxa. Within this project, Naturalis will specifically focus on unlocking the potential of fungal type specimens, to unambiguously name fungal species.

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to contribute to FunDive and lead extensive efforts to sequence type specimens and thereby fix the use of scientific binomials and respective Species Hypotheses in UNITE – a database and sequence management environment providing identification of fungi based on rDNA ITS sequences and their communication via DOIs. Preliminary agreements show that we will have access to several thousands of types from major and smaller fungaria for sequencing and taxonomic interpretation. Developing sequencing protocols for specimens with degraded DNA will be an important achievement. On top of this, European species in need of epitypification need to be identified by compiling cases where the holotype, lectotype, or previously designated neotype, or all original material associated with a validly published name, cannot be identified for the purpose of the precise application of the name to a species. In collaboration with other partners of the FunDive project, efforts will be made to epitypify these species.

Requirements

Specific Requirements

PhD qualification in mycology or a related discipline;
Strong scientific track record;
Technical/scientific expertise in molecular lab work, DNA extraction, amplification, sequencing techniques;
Expertise in working with fungarium/herbarium material, taxonomy, nomenclature, typification and species delimitation in fungi;
Experience with phylogenetic analyses, bioinformatics and species delimitation techniques;
Experience with genomic techniques, ancient DNA and phylogenomics (not essential, but a plus);
Teamplayer, ideally with experience in multidisciplinary consortium projects;
Strong motivation and ability to think creatively;
Excellent communication, collaboration and networking skills;
Excellent level of written and oral English.

Additional Information

Benefits

We offer a contract (36 hours per week) for a period of one year, to be possibly extended with 22 months after successful evaluation and a monthly starting salary between € 3,468.- and € 4,506.- gross per month (depending on relevant experience). The starting date is the first of June at the latest. You also get an allowance for travel expenses, holiday allowance (8%) and year-end bonus (3.4%).The successful candidate will be employed by Naturalis in Leiden. We provide a vibrant and inspiring working environment, with ample support to our scientific staff by our Research Coordination Office and provide access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and the 43 million natural history objects in our collection. At Naturalis you will get the opportunity to develop your research career and to cooperate with inspiring colleagues.

Selection process

Applicants are invited to submit their application in one pdf, including a cover/motivation letter (max. 2 pages) and CV (max. 3 pages) and the names and contact details of two referees. Please use the application button for your application no later than 12 February 2024 (CET).

For procedural questions related to the application please contact HR: sollicitaties@naturalis.nl.

Naturalis endorses the Cultural Diversity Code, promotes gender equality and wants to enhance the diversity of staff members. In the case of equal suitability, preference is given to the candidate who reinforces diversity within the team.

Additional comments

Applicants are invited to submit their application in one pdf, including a cover/motivation letter (max. 2 pages) and CV (max. 3 pages) and the names and contact details of two referees. Please use the application button for your application no later than 12 February 2024 (CET).

Feel free to contact Jorinde Nuytinck (jorinde.nuytinck@naturalis.nl) with questions about the position. For procedural questions related to the application please contact HR: sollicitaties@naturalis.nl.