Postdoc position: Analytical (Geo)Chemistry (36 months)

The Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry (MMB) of NIOZ is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to develop methodology for position specific isotopes of biomarker lipids. 

Job description 

The department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry is looking for a postdoc to develop new methodology to enable position specific stable isotope analysis of biomarker lipids. The candidate must have expertise with HRAM-MS using OrbitrapTM technology and possess an excellent track record of dealing with analytical challenges. Furthermore, the candidate has documented skills in writing and publishing papers within set deadlines. The project will serve as a starting point to develop new research lines related to position specific isotope analysis. The position will start during winter 2025 and will run for 36 months. 

ROYAL NIOZ 

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 DEPARTEMENT 
The Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry (MMB) investigates the composition and functioning of microbial communities in environments ranging from the deep sea to large lake systems. Within this department a subgroup of organic geochemists is developing novel (analytical) tools to analyze the (isotopic) composition of fossilized molecules as information carriers of past climates and environments.

THE PROJECT 

Recent research has demonstrated that OrbitrapTM mass spectrometers have the potential to provide valuable information about position specific isotopes of molecules. In this project we want to develop these methods using our UHPLC-Orbitrap MS as well as our newly acquired GC Orbitrap MS. The candidate will develop instrumentation, methods, protocols and data processing software to enable position specific isotope analysis of biomarker lipids. The project is part of the newly funded consortium EMBRACER.

ABOUT EMBRACER

At EMBRACER we work at the very frontiers of knowledge on climate change, Earth’s climate system and climate feedbacks. Within its 10-year research programme, funded by NWO, EMBRACER brings together a wide range of world-leading climate experts with the aim to address existing uncertainties about climate feedbacks at the boundaries between oceans, land, ice, and atmosphere. Our interdisciplinary approach and state-of-the-art infrastructure will bring us forward in our understanding of the impact of climate feedbacks emerging over the next decades to centuries

Job Requirements 

THE CANDIDATE 
 

·       A PhD in analytical (geo-)chemistry, preferably in Orbitrap mass spectrometry. The degree must have been awarded prior to the starting date of the project. 

·       Documented skills in writing and publishing papers in international journals within set deadlines.

·       The candidate should possess a strong background in analytical chemistry and independent problem-solving capacities in dealing with analytical challenges.

·       Ambition to develop new research lines and documented skills in establishing new collaborations.

·       Demonstrated hands-on skills in Orbitrap MS developments and processing mass spectral data.

·       The preferred candidate is able to deal with project challenges as well with the geographically isolated nature of the host institute.

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 at Royal NIOZ is by NWO-I 

·                Salary compliant with CAO-WVOI (Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Research Institutes) scale 10.  

·                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%.  

·                Telephone allowance of €15 per month, prorated for your employment. 

·                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.  

MORE INFORMATION 
For additional information about this vacancy, please contact Ellen Hopmans (ellen.hopmans@nioz.nl) or Stefan Schouten (stefan.schouten@nioz.nl). For additional information about the procedure, please send an e-mail to working@nioz.nl.

Closing date for applications: August 30th 2025. Online pre-interviews are foreseen for the 2nd week of September 2025, and selected candidates will be invited for in-person interviews at NIOZ on Texel in 1st week of October 2025.