Postdoc Climet: Microbial Ecological interactions in arctic lakes

What will you be doing? 

You will be working on the CLIMET project (Climate feedbacks and methane cycling in Arctic lakes: enzymes to atmosphere).

The recent increase in atmospheric methane is attributed to an imbalance between microbial production and degradation. Methane emissions from warming Arctic lakes are an important climatic feedback loop, potentially contributing to this imbalance. Alongside warming, the input of organic carbon as well as the input of glacial dust, containing elements (among which rare earth metals), affects methane cycling in arctic lakes. The CLIMET project team will map the impact of organic carbon and lanthanide-containing glacial dust on the Arctic methane cycle from the genes involved to the impact on methane emission from Greenland's lakes.

You will be executing a field sampling campaign in Greenland to collect material for (lake water; glacial dust) for laboratory experiments which will be carried out in close cooperation with another Postdoc and PhD student to be recruited. In laboratory settings, you will investigate lake-derived methane-cycling microbial communities under influence of DOM/glacial dust combinations and its effects on methane emission. Biotic interactions with other microbes, phyto- and zooplankton will be a major focal point as is the link between methane and nitrogen cycling under anoxic conditions. The successful execution of these experiments will entail a combination of classical microbiological (cultivation, microscopy), chemical analytical (GC, GC-MS, GC-IRMS, GC-TOF-MS, ICP), molecular biological (QPCR, metagenomics, transcriptomics) as well as stable isotopic cell-labelling techniques (NanoSIMS, GC-IRMS-PLFA), flowcytometry).  The experiments carried out will be interlinked with the partners at Radboud University and Utrecht University.      

What will you be contributing?

• Executing field sampling campaigns in Greenland lakes (July 2025).
• Work closely together with the NIOO PhD student on assessing effects of DOM and glacial dust on biotic interactions affecting methane cycling in various laboratory settings.  
• Setting up methods and protocols (Isotopic labeling, single-cell analyses etc).
• Develop a flow-through column-based lab system to study the effect of biotic interactions on methane emission as influenced by glacial dust-DOM combinations.
• Contribute to the development of the project as it evolves.
• Closely collaborate and coordinate activities with other ClIMET team members.
• Publish results in scientific journals.
• Participate in outreach activities.
• Contribute to maintaining a friendly, welcoming and collaborative environment within the group.

What skills do you bring in?

• A PhD in biogeochemistry/microbial ecology or related disciplines.
• Excellent background in microbial ecology, preferably in the field of methane microbiology, documented by publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Desirable methodological skills: Experience in microbiological cultivation techniques, microscopic techniques, and general methods of molecular microbial ecology, NGS and multi-omics analysis, analytical chemistry as well as the use of stable isotopes.
• An integrative and cooperative personality with enthusiasm for actively participating in the CLIMET team and the NIOO-KNAW community.
• Experience in supervising students  
• Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken.
• Prepared to spend a month in Greenland for fieldwork.

What do we offer?

A 4-year position (0.8FTE) within the vibrant department of Microbial Ecology, with a preferred starting date of June 1, 2025. Please see general information about the salary and benefits in the section below on Terms of employment. 

Your workplace

You will be based at NIOO-KNAW, located in Wageningen, and part of a multidisciplinary team (NIOO-KNAW, Radboud University (Nijmegen), Utrecht University) and will be closely cooperating with 3 other post-docs, 3 PhD students and a technician recruited on this project.

For more information

For more information please contact dr. Paul Bodelier (tel. +31-317473485, email p.bodelier@nioo.knaw.nl). Information on the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) can be found at the website: http://www.nioo.knaw.nl/

Application procedure

Your application, in English, should include a cover letter detailing your motivation for and expectations from this position, your CV and contact information for two references.

The closing date for application is  April 1st, 2025.

About NIOO

The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO) is a national research institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). NIOO performs leading ecological research on biodiversity, climate change and sustainable use of land and water, stimulates ecological research of the Netherlands and shares its ecological knowledge with society. Based on our core values, NIOO strives to be a collaborative, inclusive, innovative, impactful, and responsible organization.

Terms of employment

Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is € 3.378,- and the maximum salary is € 5.331,- gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale 10 cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP.
The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment).  
For a complete overview of the terms of employment, please refer to the web page: werken bij de KNAW.
Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct can be part of the employment procedure.

Diversity & Inclusion

The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.
We will not respond to any supplier enquiries based on this job advertisement.