Postdoc on DNA Solutions for a Transparent Timber Trade

As a Postdoc

You will find yourself in a unique research environment, inspired by passionate scientists from a wide range of disciplines in biodiversity research (e.g., taxonomy, evolution, genomics, ecology, and geology).

You will receive dedicated supervision from experienced researchers and work closely with international experts and collaborators with whom you will regularly exchange ideas about your research. This will help you develop a strong academic profile.

You will build valuable connections by participating in both academic and social activities of our PhD and postdoc community.

This is wat you'll be doing

You will be part of Naturalis’ plans to upscale and accelerate species identification and provenancing of plant species. More specifically, this postdoc project will (1) Establish DNA reference databases based on fresh/herbarium leaves for robust identification and tracing of timber species, and (2) develop identification and tracing case studies based on DNA of fresh and xylarium wood samples, (3) engage with the different Dutch authorities responsible for implementing the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), and (4) help in the organisation of a large international wood conference hosted by Naturalis (including an illegal logging stakeholder event).

This project aims to support customs officers in the field in combating illegal logging and demonstrates Naturalis’ ambition to use its scientific collection to help address global societal challenges. Illegal logging is the third most profitable global crime, worth an estimated €50–150 billion each year. Therefore, the European Union will introduce stricter trade rules (EUDR) from the end of 2026 onwards, but these regulations can only succeed if modern species identification and tracing methods can be upscaled, accelerated, and implemented by (non-)academic stakeholders. In this position, you will engage with both (inter)national academic and non-academic stakeholders in the field of illegal logging.

Here's what we have to offer

• A one-year contract with possible extension with 1.5 years after successful evaluation, the preferred starting date is November 2026.
• A gross monthly starting salary between €3,768.- and - €4,897.- gross/month for a full-time contract (36 hours).
• End-of-year bonus of 3.4% of your gross annual salary and 8% holiday pay.
• 27 days of leave per year with full-time employment. Plus 1 extra day that you can use for a holiday that is important to you.
• Commuting allowance depending on your means of transport.
• Pension scheme via PFZW, where Naturalis pays 60% of your premium.
• Plenty of development opportunities. We support your growth and give you unlimited access to the online training platform Goodhabitz.
• Fascinating knowledge events. These help you stay up to date on the latest developments in both your own field and outside it, such as our lectures and gatherings on various (scientific) topics. You can also attend – or take part in – the internal information session ‘Naturalis Draait Door’.
• Nice extras such as discounts on software and hardware for private use, collective health insurance plans, and a bicycle scheme. You’ll also enjoy discounts in our museum restaurant and unlimited free access to our award-winning museum for you and your family.
• A laptop and mobile phone allowance.
• Fun team outings. We also get together for drinks every month, organise an annual BBQ and a fantastic New Year's party. Not your scene? That's fine too, of course. All team activities are voluntary.
• A unique work environment in a state-of-the-art building where you will feel proud to work every single day – we guarantee it!

The world lies at your feet!

Literally. Whatever your role may be, you contribute to the preservation of our planet on a daily basis. Naturalis Biodiversity Center...

• is the national research and knowledge institute and a key player in biodiversity data and infrastructures.
• houses one of the largest natural history collections in the world.
• welcomes 500,000 museum visitors per year.
• collaborates with universities, expertise centres and museums around the world.
• has a staff of diverse colleagues in various functions and with many different nationalities, with whom you will work together in an informal atmosphere.

This is your team

You will join the research group Functional Traits (FT) headed by Prof. Dr. Frederic Lens. You will work under the supervision of Frederic Lens and interact with Dr. Marta Dominguez-Delmas and the other PhD candidates and postdocs in and outside the group. The research in Functional Traits is focused on wood, with projects investigating the evolution of woodiness, exploring the impact of increased wood formation in stems on total plant drought tolerance, and dating historical woods using traditional and isotope dendrochronology.

You will be part of our Naturalis PhD and postdoc community — a close-knit group of around 50 PhD candidates and postdocs with whom you can share experiences and participate in training sessions, workshops, and peer review meetings. And of course, for those interested, there are plenty of social activities outside of work as well.

What you bring to the table

You are capable of working independently while also proactively seeking collaboration — whether with your supervisor, fellow researchers, or external partners. You are confident in asking critical questions to further your research and you identify opportunities, effectively engaging others with your ideas. You are also eager to disseminate your research findings, whether through public lectures or publications. You excel at translating complex topics into engaging and accessible narratives, reaching not only the scientific community but also the general public. You have strong organisation and time management skills, and are eager to participate in and co-organise workshops, training sessions, and conferences.

Furthermore, you have:

• A completed PhD degree in a relevant field.
• Experience working with extracting DNA of wood, preferentially to identify and/or trace timber species, and with a strong background in bioinformatics tools. Experience with tropical fieldwork and knowledge on plant biogeography are an advantage.
• Strong proficiency in English.

Become our new Postdoc

Upload your CV and motivation letter, including the contact details of two referees, in one pdf document via the application button no later than August 21, 2026 CEST.

Interviews (online) will (probably) be held on September 7, and/or Sept 9-10, so keep these two days available as much as possible.

Want to know more about the position before you apply? Send an email to frederic.lens@naturalis.nl.

For more information about the application procedure, you can send an email to our colleagues in the HR department via sollicitaties@naturalis.nl.

We are managing the recruitment for this vacancy ourselves; unsolicited acquisition is therefore not desired.