PhD Models of Phytoplankton-Virus Interactions
PhD Models of Phytoplankton-Virus Interactions
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Job Description
Are you intrigued by how tiny marine microbes impact global carbon cycling Are you interested in virus-host interactions Do you enjoy thinking about how to describe ecological processes with mathematical equations
The Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology at the University of Amsterdam is looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate to join our team. You will be part of the larger research consortium project PHYVIR aimed at elucidating marine phytoplankton-virus interactions from local to global scales.
Join our team!
The PHYVIR project: Despite their minute size marine phytoplankton are vital for marine ecosystem productivity and play a key role in global carbon and nutrient cycling. However like all life on Earth phytoplankton are susceptible to viral infections. Viral-induced mortality (viral lysis) of phytoplankton cells redirects the flow of energy and elements with expected far-reaching consequences for ocean ecosystem structure and functioning.
Still phytoplankton viral lysis rates are poorly constrained; to what extent viral infections affect phytoplankton host stoichiometry and functional traits as well as how this is influenced by (global climate change-induced) environmental stressors is understudied; and a comprehensive understanding of the geographical distribution of virus and phytoplankton host traits is lacking. Moreover virus-host dynamics in global ecosystem and biogeochemical models are generally poorly addressed.
The PHYVIR project aims to integrate complementary expertise including viral ecology phytoplankton physiology molecular biology biological oceanography bioinformatics and mathematical modelling - to bridge the knowledge gaps that limit our current understanding and predictive power of how viral infections impact phytoplankton communities and associated biogeochemical fluxes.
The PHYVIR project is funded by the Dutch research Council NWO and consists of 5 PhD and 2 Postdoc positions. This PhD project focuses on mathematical models of virus-host interactions. The PhD project is supervised by Dr. Cara Nissen (UvA) Dr. Yael Artzy-Randrup (UvA) Prof. Jef Huisman (UvA) and Prof. Corina Brussaard (NIOZ & UvA) and the place of employment will be Amsterdam.
What are you going to do
As a PhD candidate for PHYVIRs modeling research you will develop mechanistic models to study phytoplankton host-virus interactions in the marine environment under explicit consideration of C:N:P stoichiometry. You will use phytoplankton and virus traits obtained from the literature and from lab experiments and field studies conducted by other PhDs within PHYVIR to parametrize and validate the models. You will start from single virus-single host interactions before expanding to multiple hosts and viruses. Ultimately this modeling project aims to quantify how environmental variability e.g. in temperature light and nutrient availability impacts virus-phytoplankton interactions to predict which host and virus traits might be favored in a future ocean.
Tasks and responsibilities:
- develop a PhD thesis plan prepare and perform the research;
- actively integrate results obtained by the other PhD students postdocs and the larger PHYVIR team into the models;
- present your results at meetings and scientific conferences;
- publish your results in international scientific journals;
- contribute to teaching and to supervision of MSc students who wish to do a modeling project on virus-host interactions (max 15% of the time).
Your profile
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated candidate with a keen interest in marine viral ecology and phytoplankton host-virus interactions. You enjoy quantitative analyses and modeling are well-organized and have a collaborative personality while also being able to work independently.
What do we require
- A MSc degree in theoretical ecology marine biology microbial ecology biological oceanography or closely related discipline;
- Experience with mathematical models describing population dynamics and species interactions;
- A demonstrated ability to work with programming languages such as Python Matlab or C;
- An intrinsic motivation to increase our understanding of marine ecosystems;
- Strong oral and written communication skills in English.
Our offer
A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date is in the fall of 2025. This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students. For this position the University Job Classification profile Promovendus (PhD candidate) applies. Your salary will be 3059 gross per month in the first year and will increase to 3881 in the final year based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week. In addition you will receive a 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end allowance. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.
Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:
- 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
- multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
- a complete educational program for PhD students;
- multiple courses on topics such as time management handling stress and an online learning platform with 100 different courses;
- 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
- partly paid parental leave;
- the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
- a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
- the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
- help with registration at UvA- Housing for a studio or small apartment when youre moving from abroad.
Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits take a look here.
Where you will work
The Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) is one of eight research institutes of the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam (UvA). The research at IBED aims to unravel how ecosystems function in all their complexity and how they change due to natural processes and human activities. At its core lies an integrated systems approach to study biodiversity ecosystems and the environment. IBED adopts this systems approach to ecosystems addressing abiotic (soil and water quality) and biotic factors (ecology and evolution of plants animals and microorganisms) and the interplay between those. The IBED vision includes research encompassing experimental and theoretical approaches at a wide variety of temporal and spatial scales i.e. from molecules and microorganisms to patterns and processes occurring at the global scale. The University of Amsterdam has excellenthigh performance computingfacilities. Furthermore IBED has a dedicatedcomputational support teamwith specialized knowledge of bioinformatics (geo)database management and scientific programming. IBED also works with non-academic partners to deliver transdisciplinary science for society.
If you feel the profile fits you and you are interested in the job we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the Apply-button on the vacancys webpage. We accept applications until and including 24 August 2025.
Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file):
- a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
- a letter of motivation;
- the names and email addresses of two references (e.g. your MSc supervisors).
Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.
A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure.(for details: national knowledge security guidelines)
The interviews will be organized in two rounds. Potential candidates will be invited to the first round of online interviews. The first-round interviews will be held in the week of 8-12 the second round we will invite 2-3 selected candidates to visit the UvA in late September or early October.
Do you have any questions or do you require additional information Please contact:
Employment Type
Full Time
