Postdoc position: “to trace the evolution of symbiotic lifestyles across the tree of life”

The team led by Prof. Dr. Anja Spang within the Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry (MMB) located at the Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), is looking for a postdoctoral researcher with a background in phylogenomics, molecular dating, microbial genomics, metagenomics, and machine-learning with an interest in symbiosis and evolution. The position is offered for 40 months’.

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 DEPARTMENT

The research of the Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry (MMB) has a long history of studying Bacteria and Archaea, and other marine microbes, their interactions, and their role in biogeochemical cycling in a variety of marine environments, varying from tidal flats and coral reefs 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

The research team of Anja Spang has a key interest in the role of symbiosis in the evolution of life on Earth ranging from the origin of the earliest cells to eukaryotic life and symbiotic relationships between different extant microbial groups, particularly obligate archaeal and bacterial symbionts. As part of a newly NWO Vici 2025 grant, we will integrate novel phylogenetic, ancestral reconstruction, machine learning and network approaches to establish a detailed account of the genome evolution, abundance and diversity of obligate prokaryotic symbionts and their interaction partners throughout Earth history.

THE CANDIDATE

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher with a PhD and background in metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, phylogenomics, comparative genomics and machine learning approaches. The candidate should furthermore have skills in applying wet-lab techniques (aerobic/anaerobic cultivation, PCR, enzyme assays, protein purification), as well as in programming. We seek to attract candidates from the widest possible pool and strive to build an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. Therefore, we welcome applications of candidates representing the broadest possible range of age, gender, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

We want to be a transparent institute with a healthy working climate and an inclusive culture, where people from diverse backgrounds and genders 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) at Royal NIOZ is by NWO-I for a duration of 40  months.

• 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

 For additional information about this vacancy, please contact Anja Spang. For additional information about the procedure, please send an e-mail to working@nioz.nl

Closing date for this vacancy is 12 April 2026