Job Description

Faculty:  Faculty of Science

Department:  Department of Biology

Hours per week:  36 to 40

Application deadline:  2 October 2025

Apply now

Join the Plant Stress Resilience (PSR) group at the Institute of Environmental Biology (IEB) where your expertise in plant abiotic stress biology will help unravel how plants cope with stressful environments. You will have access to world-class laboratory and plant growth facilities. Bring your collaborative mindset and enthusiasm for research and teaching and contribute as an Assistant Professor to our mission of advancing plant resilience research.

Your job

In this role, you will contribute to the teaching and research portfolio of the PSR group. You will develop an independent research line that complements, strengthens and extends the existing research themes in the group. You will build on your experience in the field of abiotic stress research using innovative and multi-disciplinary approaches and new technologies (e.g. AI). You enjoy building meaningful connections and fostering an open, safe and inclusive work environment. You will actively contribute to teaching in the Department of Biology’s Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes and supervise student internships. Beyond your research and teaching activities, you will actively contribute to dissemination and impact of our research themes through various outreach activities.

You will have access to fully functional labs equipped for molecular, physiological and biochemical experimental research, state-of-the-art plant growth, phenotyping, microscopy, sequencing and proteomics facilities and high-end computational infrastructure. As a member of the PSR group, you will join a dynamic and collaborative PSR team led by Prof. dr. Rashmi Sasidharan and consisting of one Associate Professor, two Assistant Professors and a full-time technician.

Your qualities

You are a Plant Biologist (PhD) with proven expertise in big data-driven research on mechanisms of plant abiotic stress tolerance. You think critically and creatively, work in an organised and efficient manner and thrive as a collaborative team player. You fit well with the position’s profile as described above and meet the following qualifications:

• experience, talent and enthusiasm for academic teaching;
• a strong track record of publishing impactful science and acquiring external funding;
• a broad network in national and international scientific communities;
• experience with, and enthusiasm for outreach activities;
• proficiency in English, both written and spoken, is required. Ability to teach in Dutch is a plus.

Our offer

• A position for 18 months, with the prospect of permanent employment following a positive assessment;
• a working week of 38 hours (1.0 FTE) and a gross monthly salary, depending on previous qualifications and experience, between €4,728 and €6,433 (salary scale 11 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment

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laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development

external link, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities external link. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University external link.

About us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University

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, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes

external link. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow external link.

Working at the Faculty of Science means bringing together inspiring people across disciplines and with a variety of perspectives and backgrounds. The Faculty has six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information & Computing Sciences, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Together, we work on excellent research and inspiring education. We do so, driven by curiosity and supported by outstanding infrastructure. Visit us on LinkedIn and discover how you can become part of our community.

The Department of Biology

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 consists of twelve research divisions, which are organised within two institutes: the Institute of Biodynamics and Biocomplexity

external link (IBB) and the Institute of Environmental Biology external link (IEB). The department of Biology coordinates the teaching of the Bachelor’s programme in Biology, as well as Master’s programmes and PhD courses that are offered through the Graduate School of Life Sciences. Each Institute promotes the maintenance of a high-quality and interactive research and teaching environment.

You will be working within the Plant Stress Resilience

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 group and we will ensure proficient mentoring for you within our group and within the department of Biology. We consider diversity in research, backgrounds, and personalities important in our research group that is embedded in the Institute of Environmental Biology

external link. You can expect to work in an inclusive, collaborative, and motivating environment with a very creative and international team of PhD candidates, Postdocs, Tenured Staff, and Research Assistants. You will have access to world-class research facilities including recently renovated plant growth facilities and fully equipped laboratories and will benefit from our extensive national/international collaborations in academia and the plant breeding industry.

More information

For more information, please contact please contact Prof. Rashmi Sasidharan

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at r.sasidharan@uu.nl.

Do you have a question about the application procedure? Please send an email to science.recruitment@uu.nl.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Apply now

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home

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 for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

If you are enthusiastic about this position, just apply via the ‘apply now’ button! Please enclose:

• your motivation letter;
• your curriculum vitae;
• a research statement (2-3 pages max; please include how you envision the embedding of your research in the Plant Stress Resilience research group);
• a teaching statement (1-2 pages);
• the names and email addresses of three professional referees;
• a copy of your PhD certificate.

If this specific opportunity isn’t for you, but you know someone else who may be interested, please forward this vacancy to them.

Some connections are fundamental – Be one of them

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#FundamentalConnection

The application deadline is 2 October 2025.