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PostDoc: Balanced Lethal System Genomics

Posted 23 Mar 2024
Work experience
2 to 5 years
Full-time / part-time
Full-time
Job function
Degree level
Required language
English (Fluent)

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The Institute for Biology Leiden at Leiden University and Naturalis Biodiversity Center are looking for a

PostDoc: Balanced Lethal System Genomics

Key responsibilities

The Institute of Biology Leiden at Leiden University and Naturalis Biodiversity Center are looking for a postdoctoral researcher – in the European Research Council-funded project BALANCED LETHALS – to determine the genomic architecture at the basis of an evolutionary enigma: the balanced lethal system in the salamander genus Triturus (the crested and marbled newts).

Balanced lethal systems represent an evolutionary enigma because they are incredibly maladaptive. Two distinct forms of a chromosome are required for survival, meaning that only heterozygotes are viable, while homozygotes – half of the total reproductive output – perish. Triturus newts are the most illustrious example. Two non-recombining forms of chromosome 1, 1A and 1B, are involved. The unfortunate homozygous offspring that possess either chromosome 1A or 1B twice experience developmental arrest and die halfway through normal embryogenesis. Half of the eggs a female Triturus newt lays never hatch!

The candidate will combine data obtained with Oxford nanopore sequencing, Hi-C chromosome conformation capture and high-resolution linkage mapping to assemble the ~32Gb Triturus genome into chromosomes and determine the genomic architecture underlying the balanced lethal system. All required samples are available and lab work is outsourced.

Selection criteria

  • PhD degree in biology with proven experience in bioinformatics and whole genome assembly and annotation;
  • A good command of the English language and proven writing abilities;
  • Highly motivated and capable of working both independently and as part of a team.

Our organisation

The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are committed to expand fundamental knowledge by curiosity and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future.

The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organised in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelor’s and twelve master’s programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2300 staff and almost 5000 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together. For more information, see the website of the Faculty of Science.

The research within the Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL) aims to work on the science base of biodiversity and health, which is reflected in our leading principle Harnessing Biodiversity for Health. We perform innovative curiosity-driven research to answer fundamental questions, and solutions-driven research to help solving major societal challenges. The latter include protecting nature’s biodiversity, creating sustainable biotechnology and agriculture and increasing good health. Our research focuses on four Research Themes: Bioactive Molecules, Host-Microbe Interactions, Development & Disease and Evolution & Biodiversity. Located in a thriving scientific environment with our Faculty of Sciences, Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, the Leiden University Medical Centre and the Leiden Bioscience Park, IBL offers an exciting, internationally oriented and inclusive place to work and study.

Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden is the Dutch national research institute for biodiversity and systematics. With our collection of 42 million specimens, one of the world's largest natural history collections, and our state-of-the-art research facilities we offer the (inter)national research infrastructure for species, identification and monitoring. We closely collaborate with many Dutch universities, research institutes, industry and government. We host over 120 researchers including 13 academia embedded professors and 40 PhD students. We present the history of our planet, and the diversity of life on Earth, through permanent and temporary museum exhibitions, educational programmes and online presence, with more than 400,000 visitors per year. All in all, a unique combination of science and culture in the Netherlands and elsewhere in the world!

Terms and conditions

We offer a full-time, fixed 2 year post. Salary range from € 2,790,- to € 4,402,- gross per month (pay scale 10 in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses(8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break.

Diversity

Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.

De Universiteit Leiden is één van Europa’s meest vooraanstaande internationale onderzoeksuniversiteiten. De universiteit heeft zeven faculteiten in het alfa-, bèta- en gammadomein, is gevestigd in Leiden en Den Haag en heeft ruim 6.700 medewerkers en 29.520 studenten. Haar motto is Praesidium Libertatis – Bolwerk van Vrijheid.
Dankzij de bevlogen en betrokken medewerkers heeft de universiteit een leidende rol in wetenschappelijk onderzoek…


De Universiteit Leiden is één van Europa’s meest vooraanstaande internationale onderzoeksuniversiteiten. De universiteit heeft zeven faculteiten in het alfa-, bèta- en gammadomein, is gevestigd in Leiden en Den Haag en heeft ruim 6.700 medewerkers en 29.520 studenten. Haar motto is Praesidium Libertatis – Bolwerk van Vrijheid.
Dankzij de bevlogen en betrokken medewerkers heeft de universiteit een leidende rol in wetenschappelijk onderzoek en onderwijs en scoort Leiden elk jaar zeer goed in toonaangevende rankings. De lat ligt dan ook hoog. Ongeacht welk werk u aan onze universiteit doet, u wordt altijd aangemoedigd om uw horizon te verbreden, uw talenten te ontplooien en het maximale uit uzelf te halen.

Education
Leiden
6,700 employees