PhD Position in Fungal Cell Biology at VU Amsterdam, Netherlands | Apply Online & Earn Upto €4,051

How do thousands of nuclei function within a shared fungal cytoplasm? This Fungal Cell Biology PhD at VU Amsterdam investigates how nuclei move, divide and respond within arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Combining live-cell imaging, molecular experiments and quantitative analysis, the project explores whether these nuclei behave independently or collectively.

  • Institution: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

  • Faculty: Faculty of Science

  • Research Group: Dr Vasilis Kokkoris, A-LIFE, Systems Ecology

  • Project: Nuclear Swarms

  • Funding: NWO Vidi grant

  • Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

About The University

VU Amsterdam provides values-driven education and research from its campus in Amsterdam’s Zuidas district. The university has more than 31,000 students and 6,150 staff.

Its Faculty of Science is one of the largest science faculties in the Netherlands, with more than 8,000 students, 39 programmes, 1,400 staff and 10 departments.

The position joins Dr Vasilis Kokkoris’s research group within A-LIFE, Systems Ecology, which studies the biology and ecology of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

PhD Position in Fungal Cell Biology: Project Overview

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi form partnerships with plants that support nutrient uptake and ecosystem functioning. Their filament networks contain a continuous cytoplasm shared by thousands of nuclei.

The Fungal Cell Biology PhD project, Nuclear Swarms, examines nuclear organisation and behaviour within this unusual system. You will track nuclei over time, investigate their distribution and division, and use quantitative approaches to understand their activity.

The research connects fungal biology, microscopy, molecular biology and computational collaboration in a challenging non-model organism.

Key Research Responsibilities

  • Design and conduct experiments on fungal nuclear organisation and behaviour.

  • Cultivate and maintain arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal material.

  • Use fluorescence and live-cell microscopy.

  • Track and quantify nuclear movement, distribution and division.

  • Apply and develop molecular and cell-biological methods.

  • Analyse microscopy and experimental data quantitatively and statistically.

  • Integrate experimental findings with computational approaches through collaboration.

  • Support reproducible research and data sharing.

  • Present at national and international meetings.

  • Write scientific publications and a PhD thesis.

  • Contribute to teaching and student supervision.

Qualifications and Experience

Applicants should have an MSc or equivalent in Microbiology, Molecular Biology or a related field, together with a strong interest in microscopy and data analysis for this Fungal Cell Biology PhD.

The profile includes:

  • Required experience with in vitro fungal culturing.

  • Experience with microscopy and/or genetic transformation; confocal microscopy is preferred.

  • Image analysis and programming skills using R/RStudio, Python or MATLAB.

  • Laboratory research experience and willingness to work with a non-model organism.

  • Interest in fungal biology, cell biology or nuclear behaviour.

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

  • Good English communication skills.

The university also invites applications from candidates who do not meet every listed requirement.

Additional Advantages

Experience in the following areas is advantageous:

  • Bioinformatics.

  • Image processing and quantitative microscopy analysis.

  • DNA/RNA analysis, PCR and FISH.

  • Cell-biological methods investigating DNA replication, cell division or intracellular dynamics.

Salary, Contract and Benefits

The full-time gross monthly salary starts at €3,204, increasing to a maximum of €4,051 in the fourth year.

The initial contract is for one year, with extension to a total of four years subject to sufficient perspective, concluding with a dissertation.

Benefits include:

  • 232 holiday hours annually, based on a 38-hour working week.

  • 8% holiday allowance.

  • 8.3% end-of-year bonus.

  • Commuting contribution.

  • ABP pension.

  • Access to sports facilities.

How to Apply

Open the official VU Amsterdam vacancy and apply online before 27 November 2026 (applications sent by e-mail are not considered). Upload a motivation letter describing your interest in the project, relevant research experience and the skills you want to develop, along with your CV, MSc diploma and transcript of grades, and the names and contact details of two academic referees. The process includes CV screening, a first (hybrid or online) interview and a second interview on campus.

Additional Information

  • Contract: Initially one year, with extension to a total of four years subject to sufficient perspective

  • Gross Monthly Salary: €3,204, rising to a maximum of €4,051 in year four, based on full-time employment

  • Published: 13 November 2026

  • Application Deadline: 27 November 2026

For MSc graduates in microbiology or molecular biology who enjoy microscopy, fungal culturing and quantitative analysis, this NWO Vidi-funded Fungal Cell Biology PhD at VU Amsterdam offers the chance to answer fundamental questions about how thousands of nuclei behave inside a single fungal cell. Prepare your documents early and apply before the deadline.

APPLY ONLINE HERE