Key Skills

Job Description

Your job We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Research Assistant to help engineer acetogenic bacteria for the conversion of CO and CO2 into valuable products. Acetogens are uniquely capable of using these C1 gases as carbon and energy sources, offering exciting opportunities for more sustainable bioproduction. However, their metabolic potential remains largely untapped. Are you our new Research Assistant? What will you do? In this role, you will develop and apply genetic tools to modify acetogens and further assess their performance under different growth and fermentation conditions. This position is for the duration of 1 year. Your Duties And Responsibilities Include develop, optimize, and apply genetic engineering approaches to engineer acetogenic bacteria; cultivate acetogenic strains and carry out fermentation experiments with CO and CO2/H2-containing gases; analyse, document, and interpret experimental results, and contribute to reporting and discussion of research findings. You will work here The research is embedded within the chair Microbiology (https://www.wur.nl/en/research-results/chair-groups/agrotechnology-and-food-sciences/biomolecular-sciences/laboratory-of-microbiology.htm), where you will join the Microbial Physiology group led by Prof. Dr. Diana Machado de Sousa. (https://www.wur.nl/en/persons/profdr-dz-diana-machado-de-sousa) Your qualities You are a curious and highly motivated individual who enjoys hands-on laboratory work and is eager to learn and develop new experimental skills. You have a careful and systematic approach to laboratory work, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and enjoy working both independently and as part of a research team. You Also Possess a BSc from a university of applied sciences, or university degree (BSc or MSc) in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or a related field; practical experience with microbial cultivation and analytical techniques; experience with anaerobic cultivation, genetic engineering, or fermentation is an advantage; a careful and accurate approach to experimental work, with an interest in developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting laboratory procedures; the ability to work independently as well as part of a team, plan and organize experiments, and manage time effectively; good communication and interpersonal skills and a collaborative attitude. In our international working environment we communicate mainly in English. For this position it is required English proficiency at B2 level(both spoken and written English). We offer Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment (https://www.wur.nl/en/jobs/conditions-of-employment). A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include: sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave; working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance; there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee; a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%; excellent pension scheme. In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a gross salary of between €3202,- and €4159,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (https://www.universiteitenvannederland.nl/en/collective-labour-agreement-of-dutch-universities) (scale 7). Additionally, a contract for a minimum of 24 hours a week can be discussed. We offer you a temporary contract for the duration of one year. If you are an internal employee, your current contract is the starting point. Ask your HR Business Partner about your situation specifically. We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy (https://wur.service-now.com/esc?id=kb_article&sysparm_article=KB0012172) sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help. Coming from abroad WUR welcomes applications from international candidates. However, for applicants for this specific position from outside the EU/EFTA zone, immigration restrictions may apply based on Dutch and EU immigration laws. Such candidates may be eligible for an “orientation year” in the Netherlands or a visa as a “knowledge migrant”. Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. If you come with a partner, we offer a Dual Career group program organized by our Welcome Center (https://wcfv.nl/en/home/global/our-services/happy-landing-and-living/). This program helps your partner to get familiar with the Dutch culture, labour market and assists your partner to find a job. Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community (https://www.wur.nl/en/jobs/expats-new-international-staff) page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands. Important information For more information about the position, please contact Diana Machado de Sousa, by e-mail: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]). Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Rutger Voorrips, corporate recruiter, by email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]). Ready to apply? Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered. You can apply up to and including 30th of November 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before the 9th of November 2026. Applications are reviewed regularly. Therefore, the position may be filled before the stated closing date. Welcome, safe, and valued Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization. We are The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines. Read the 5 reasons (https://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs/Why-choose-WUR.htm) why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus! We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

Core Responsibilities

Develop, optimize, and apply genetic engineering methods to modify acetogenic bacteria, and cultivate strains for fermentation experiments using CO and CO2/H2-containing gases. Analyze, document, and interpret results, and contribute to reporting and discussion of research findings.

Requirements

Applicants need a BSc from a university of applied sciences or a BSc or MSc in microbiology, biochemistry, biotechnology, or a related field, along with practical experience in microbial cultivation and analytical techniques. Careful experimental practice, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, the ability to work independently and collaboratively, and English proficiency at B2 level are required; experience in anaerobic cultivation, genetic engineering, or fermentation is an advantage.

Benefits

• Sabbatical Leave
• Study Leave
• Partially Paid Parental Leave
• Flexible Working Hours
• Campus Sports Facilities
• Year-End Bonus
• Pension Scheme