PhD candidate / Teacher in Ecology and Ecophysiology

Job title:

PhD candidate / Teacher in Ecology and Ecophysiology

Company:

Maastricht University

Job description

Opportunity to combine research insect ecology with teaching in biology.Job Description
The candidate will carry out 50% research 50 % undergraduate teaching duties. The research will be on the evolution of habitat and dietary specialization in aphid-eating ladybird beetles. The work will be split between the field and laboratory in Maastricht. Work will include relating ladybird specialization to population characteristics of their prey and to physiological characteristics measured in the laboratory. Teaching will be primarily in the areas of biology, including ecology, evolutionary biology and molecular biology, with a focus on teaching approaches using problem-based learning and research-based learning.You will work within the Maastricht Science Programme in a team headed by Dr John Sloggett. The team will include one postdoctoral researcher and a number of undergraduate researchers who are carrying out research as a part of their degree.A summary of your tasks is:

• To carry out field and laboratory research on ladybird beetle specialization.
• To assist in the care for insect cultures (ladybirds and aphids).
• To write and publish papers on your research.
• To take problem based learning tutorials in predominantly biological subjects.
• To assist in practical classes.
• To assist or take the lead in undergraduate practical work, including undergraduate research.

Requirements
You will have a masters in a biological subject preferably including insect behaviour, population ecology and physiology. You will be flexible and passionate about both academic university-level research and teaching tasks. In your work you will be careful and industrious, with an enthusiasm for imparting information and guiding others. Skills required are:

• A knowledge of approaches to working with insects in the field and laboratory.
• Knowledge of the statistical handing of such data.
• An enthusiasm for undergraduate teaching with experience preferred with problem- and research-based learning.
• An interest in communication within and beyond the scientific realm.

What we offer
As a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Science & Engineering, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded according to UFO profile PhD, with corresponding salary from €2901,00 in the first year and €3707,00 gross per month in the fourth year (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1.0 FTE. Upon a positive evaluation, an extension of 3 years will follow.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students.
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as ‘acknowledge and appreciate’.

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, .Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.for more information about UM.Faculty of Science and Engineering
At the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), we focus on themes such as circularity and sustainability, future farming, digitisation and (scientific) instrument development. FSE’s leading projects, like the Einstein Telescope Pathfinder, are sure to grab anyone’s attention. The faculty is a vibrant hub of education and research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS). At FSE, over 450 staff members and 3700 students gather to explore e exciting interdisciplinary research and educational programmes. Feel welcome, be part of our team and put your brilliant mind to work!FSE at the Brightlands Campuses
Maastricht, Sittard-Geleen, Heerlen, and Venlo, the home of four creative Brightlands campuses, are bustling with 30,000 entrepreneurs, researchers, and students working diligently to solve global challenges. The Faculty of Science and Engineering is active on all four Brightlands campuses, and this is where our impact reaches its peak. To give you an idea of what is happening at each campus: Sittard-Geleen is home to the largest chemical site in the Euregion, while Venlo is a large hub for agri-food innovation. Maastricht is the site of the Health Campus, and Heerlen is the place to be for Smart Services.Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact John Sloggett via for more information.Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD candidate/teacher? Apply now, no later than 25 May 2025, for this position.Please upload your CV, motivation letter, contact information of 2 referees.The first interviews preferably take place within two weeks of the closing date, depending on candidate availability.An orientation day will be part of the application procedure.
A reference check will be part of the application procedure.The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.Job Type: AcademicFaculty/Service Center: Faculty of Science & EngineeringClosing date: 25-05-2025FTE min: 1,0FTE max: 1,0Salary min: €2901,00Salary max: €3707,00ID job: 2068Job Type: AcademicFaculty/Service Center: Faculty of Science & EngineeringClosing date: 25-05-2025FTE min: 1,0FTE max: 1,0Salary min: €2901,00Salary max: €3707,00ID job: 2068

Expected salary

€2901 per month

Location

Maastricht, Limburg

Job date

Tue, 13 May 2025 22:39:50 GMT

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