Postdoctoral Fellow position in the project “Fermentations Optimized by Rational Models to Improve Plant-based Substrates”

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher in Bioinformatics to join the Bioinformatics Group at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam as part of the FERMI project (“Fermentations Optimized by Rational Models to Improve Plant-based Substrates”), funded by the NWO Perspectief programme.

FERMI is a large interdisciplinary collaboration between academic partners and industry, aiming to improve the quality, nutritional value, and sensory properties of plant-based foods through optimized fermentation processes. Within this project, the postdoctoral researcher will focus on computational approaches to link metabolomic profiles to taste and sensory outcomes, and on the integration of multi-omics data, including genomics and proteomics, to better understand and predict fermentation-driven transformations.

You will work closely with experimental scientists, data scientists, and industrial partners, contributing to the development of data-driven models that connect molecular-level changes to functional and sensory properties of food.

Your duties

The postdoctoral researcher will focus primarily on research (approximately 80–90%), and strongly interact with other team members. To ensure good interactions within the project the person will be embedded within two groups on VU campus (SystemsBiologyLab/Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and in the Bioinformatics group). Key responsibilities include:

• developing and applying bioinformatics and statistical methods to analyze metabolomics data in relation to enzyme identification, taste and sensory profiles
• integrating heterogeneous omics datasets (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics) using reproducible and FAIR-compliant data workflows
• contributing to the development of predictive or explanatory models for fermentation outcomes
• collaborating closely with experimental researchers within FERMI and with external academic and industrial partners
• publishing research results in high-quality peer-reviewed journals and presenting findings at international conferences
• co-supervising MSc and PhD students where relevant
• contributing to project meetings, reporting, and consortium-wide activities

We will base our selection on the following criteria:

• a PhD degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Systems Biology, Data Science, Computational Metabolomics, or a closely related field
• demonstrated experience with omics data analysis, preferably including metabolomics
• experience or strong interest in multi-omics data integration (e.g. combining genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics)
• solid programming and data analysis skills (e.g. Python, R, Unix-based workflows)
• an international research profile, evidenced by publications in relevant journals
• ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment
• good communication skills in English

Experience with sensory data analysis, microbial metabolism, or food-related research is considered a strong asset but is not mandatory.

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

A challenging and impactful postdoctoral position within a high-profile national and international research programme that bridges academia and industry. The position is embedded in a vibrant and international research environment at VU Amsterdam. In return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a position for at least 0.8 FTE and a temporary employment contract for the duration of 3 years. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year. After a successful evaluation, the appointment will be extended for an additional 2 years
• a salary of minimum € 3.546,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 5.538,00 (Scale 10) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary will depend on your education and experience

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