PhD position in microbial ecology and health during the first 1000 days of life

We are seeking a highly motivated and talented individual who is interested in contributing to our understanding of the complexity of the microbial ecosystems in relation to oral and metabolic health and disease.

Jouw functie

This project, called MetaHealth, examines how socio-economic, behavioral, and biological factors within and between families influence oral, metabolic, and systemic health, in an effort to reduce overweight and dental caries in early childhood. Specifically, we focus on the role of the oral and gut microbiome development during the first 1000 days of life in shaping long-term health outcomes. To achieve this, the MetaHealth project is establishing a longitudinal microbiome database of taxonomic and functional profiles of the developing oral and gut microbiomes of children and their caregivers. We will investigate how early-life microbial succession over time influences health trajectories.

You will be situated at ACTA within the Department of Preventive Dentistry, specialized in oral microbial ecology, oral microbiology, and microbe-host interactions. You will be working with researchers experienced in various fields: clinical dentistry, molecular biology, microbiology, microbial ecology, public health, epidemiology, and bioinformatics.

Jouw taken

As a PhD student working on this project, you will contribute to the analyses of metagenomic shotgun sequencing data of different cohorts within MetaHealth and use/develop new analyses methods. Your tasks will include the following:

• Designing and performing research based on existing project data
• Collaborate with project partners from similar and different fields
• Compile research finding into scientific presentations, publications, and a PhD thesis
• Optionally conduct teaching activities such as assisting in work groups or supervise internships of bachelor and master students

Jouw profiel

We are looking for a candidate with:

• A master’s degree in biomedical sciences, bioinformatics, biology, microbiology, and/or a related study
• Affinity with and strong motivation to focus on microbial ecology in the context of socio-economic, behavioral, biological, and health factors
• Experience with programming (preferably in R) for analyzing complex high-dimensional biological data
• Exceptional curiosity with advanced problem-solving abilities
• Affinity with interdisciplinary research
• Proficiency in English, along with excellent oral and written communication skills

We beseffen dat je een unieke combinatie met je meebrengt van ervaring, vakkennis en hoe je denkt. Twijfel je om te solliciteren omdat je niet aan alle eisen voldoet, maar herken je je wel in het profiel? We nodigen je graag uit om te solliciteren. Want we zijn altijd op zoek naar collega’s met diverse achtergronden en ervaringen die ons team en ACTA sterker kunnen maken.

Wat bieden wij

• An initial appointment for 1 year for 1 FTE (38 hours per week). After a satisfactory evaluation of this initial appointment, the contract will be extended for further 3 years. If you prefer a contract of 0.84 fte (32 hours per week) the extension will be 3 years and 9 months.
• An interdisciplinary, inspiring and socially engaged research consortium.
• A salary of € 2.901,00 (PhD) and maximum of € 3.707,00 (PhD) gross per month in the fourth year, for a full-time employment.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• Solid pension scheme (ABP)
• Contribution to commuting expenses
• Optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

Over ons

Over afdeling, instituut, projectY
You will be situated at ACTA within the Department of Preventive Dentistry, specialized in oral microbial ecology, oral microbiology, and microbe-host interactions. You will be working with researchers experienced in various fields: clinical dentistry, molecular biology, microbiology, microbial ecology, public health, epidemiology, and bioinformatics.

ACTA is het samenwerkingsverband tussen de Faculteiten der Tandheelkunde van de Universiteit van Amsterdam en de Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Alles wat met tandheelkunde te maken heeft, vind je in 1 gebouw.

Welkom bij ACTA

Als ACTA zijn we trots op onze diverse groepen patiënten, medewerkers en studenten, en zien we diversiteit als een pluspunt.

Kom je bij ons werken? Dan help je mee de mondgezondheid van nu en in de toekomst voor iedereen te verbeteren, in Nederland en de rest van de wereld. Ook jij helpt mee het verschil te maken: of je nou samen met de patiënt zorgt voor een gezonde(re) mond, vernieuwend onderzoek doet, samen met onze studenten het onderwijs maakt, of je collega’s ondersteunt in het bereiken van deze doelen.