Postdoc Position: NWO Sublife Project “Subsurface Life at Deep-sea Hydrothermal Vents”

The department of Ocean Systems (OCS – location Texel) is looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with a background in marine biology or a related science, and experience with population genetics and taxonomy. Ideally, the applicant has worked in deep-sea ecosystems such as hydrothermal vents.

THE POSITION

You will characterize the subsurface biosphere animal diversity at deep-sea hydrothermal vents to elucidate the nature and extent of connectivity between the surficial and subsurface biospheres. You will test the hypotheses that 1) eukaryotic life is a component of the subsurface biosphere; 2) the subsurface habitats harbor larvae -and perhaps adult life stages- of vent endemic animals; 3) the subsurface aids connectivity between vent sites. Biological samples obtained from the subsurface will be compared to samples collected in the oceanwater, and at surrounding vent and non-vent surfaces. This research will transform our understanding of the ecology of subsurface habitats and our thinking about animal recruitment at deep-sea vents and in our ocean. The results will help to understand the sphere of vent influence and connectivity between vents. This is of high relevance for the establishment of area-based management tools in the ocean, which are needed to protect the extraordinary vent ecosystems from potential future deep-sea mining or other anthropogenic impacts. You will publish the results of your work in peer-reviewed journals and present the results at international fora.

THE DEPARTMENT
At NIOZ-OCS, we study aquatic processes from a variety of disciplines including aquatic geochemistry and ecology. Samples are collected from all over the world, and (biogeo)chemical experiments are performed on our research vessels or in the laboratories at our institute on Texel.

THE CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate has a PhD in biology or a related science, and experience with population genetics and taxonomy. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the work, it is important that the candidate is open and communicative to facilitate interactions with other members of the project team and the project teams of related projects. Excellent English oral and writing skills are essential, including demonstrable experience with presenting at scientific conferences and writing peer-reviewed publications.

We strive to ensure that our staff reflect the diversity of society, including age, gender and cultural background. We therefore very much appreciate candidates who are able to increase the diversity of NIOZ.

THE CONDITIONS

We are offering a 3-year full-time Postdoc position. Employment of this position at Royal NIOZ is by NWO-i (The Netherlands Organization of Scientific Research). The salary is compliant to the CAO-OI (Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Research Institutes) scale 10 or 11 depending on relevant experience. Furthermore, NIOZ offers a pension scheme, a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, a year-end bonus of 8,3% of the gross annual salary, flexible work arrangements and 42 days of holiday leave (fulltime position). You may expect attractive secondary employment conditions.

Royal NIOZ OCS is located on the beautiful island of Texel in the World Heritage Wadden Sea. Texel offers sun, wind and beach, and a diverse but moderate level of facilities, including a thriving tourist industry, shops, sports facilities, primary schools and a high school. It is connected to the mainland by an hourly to half-hourly ferry service, with crossings taking 20 minutes. The Royal NIOZ is situated next to the ferry terminal.

MORE INFORMATION
For additional information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Sabine Gollner. For additional information about the procedure, please contact HR via working@nioz.nl.

Please visit the Department of Ocean Systems here.

Closing date for applications: August 27th 2023. Online interviews are foreseen for the first week of September 2023. Start of position ideally October 1^st.