Postdoc position on Antarctic Mixotrophic Microalgae

Are you fascinated by marine microbes Are you interested in the dynamics of microalgal communities and how they are affected by environmental change Do you like to combine laboratory experiments with molecular methods and fieldwork in polar ecosystems We have a vacancy for a postdoctoral researcher within the NWO-funded project The key role of mixotrophy in Antarctic Carbon and Sulfur Cycles (MACS).

The Antarctic seasonal sea-ice zone is rapidly changing with consequences for the key primary producers: microalgae growing in sea-ice and water. While traditionally regarded as purely photoautotrophic many of these microalgae likely also feed on other microbes or take up dissolved organic matter. Such a mixotrophic lifestyle might help them to survive the polar night and allow them an early start in the growing season long before other algae receive sufficient light to pick up growth. Additionally microalgae contribute to the production of the trace gas dimethylsulfide (DMS) that has an impact on climate via cloud formation. The MACS project aims to understand the role of mixotrophic protists in Antarctic C- and S-cycles. Such mechanistic understanding will help predict how changing ice cover will affect microalgal growth and DMS-production in the future and whether feedbacks might be expected in a changing climate.

As a postdoc in the MACS project you will investigate how multiple environmental stressors affect the community composition physiology and gene expression of Antarctic microalgae with a particular focus on their mixotrophic nutrition. You will resolve how mixotrophy contributes to carbon cycling during ice melt in spring and how this contribution depends on environmental conditions. You will perform laboratory experiments and fieldwork in collaboration with two other postdocs within the project.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Design and perform laboratory experiments with cultured microalgae to assess their response to multiple environmental factors under controlled conditions;
• Participate in a research expedition to Rothera station West Antarctic Peninsula to assess microalgal species composition and perform field experiments to quantify their rates of feeding and photosynthesis;
• Publication of the results in international scientific journals;
• Presentation of the results in the department at meetings of the Netherlands Polar Program and at (international) scientific conferences;
• Supervision of BSc and/or MSc students who wish to do an internship on Antarctic microalgae.

We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate who enjoys a combination of laboratory experiments and field studies. You have a keen interest in marine microalgal ecology and are eager to perform research in Antarctica. You are a well-organized team player but also able to work independently and enjoy collaboration in an international team.

Your experience and profile:

• A PhD degree in phytoplankton ecology environmental microbiology biological oceanography or a related field;
• Experience with culturing aquatic microorganisms physiological assays and fieldwork in marine ecosystems;
• Experience with omics-techniques and bioinformatic/computational analyses are a plus;
• Willingness and ability to perform extended fieldwork at Rothera station Antarctica;
• Strong communication skills in English.

We offer a temporary employment contract for preferably 38 hours per week for a period of 1 year with the possibility to the extend the contract for another 15 months upon a positive evaluation of your performance.The preferred starting date is 1 January 2027. For this position the University Job Classification profile Researcher 4 applies.

The gross monthly salary based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience ranges between 3706 to 5760 (scale 10). In addition you will receive an 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end allowance.

A favourable tax agreement the 30% ruling may apply to non-Dutch applicants.

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 leadership for academic staff;
• 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.

The Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) is one of eight research institutes of the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam. 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.

The position will be based in the Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology. The department of Freshwater & Marine Ecology aims to increase our understanding of the biodiversity and dynamics of freshwater and marine ecosystems from the level of molecules and genes to entire ecosystems.

Want to know more about our organisation Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

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 28 September 2026.

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;
• a list of publications;
• the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation.

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)

We will invite potential candidates for interviews soon after the closing date. The interviews will be held in the course of October 2026.

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information Please contact:

Susanne Wilken Associate Professor T: 31 .