04 Postdoctoral Fellowship at Utrecht University, Netherlands

The BIOGAIN project (Enabling biodiversity-positive transformation of energy planning towards climate neutrality), funded through the Biodiversa+ programme, brings together leading universities and research institutes from across Europe to identify pathways for biodiversity-positive energy planning.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will focus on integrating biodiversity data and spatial optimisation methods into renewable energy planning. This involves exploring how advanced data on nature and biodiversity (derived from AI-supported monitoring and analysis of sources such as satellite imagery, acoustic sensors, and camera traps) can inform spatial planning and decision-making for solar and wind energy infrastructures. Working closely with European partners in ecology, data science, and planning, you will assess biodiversity data availability and develop methods to spatially identify areas of synergy and conflict between renewable energy and biodiversity objectives.

In recent years, we have developed new proximity-based proteomics methods to investigate protein signaling dynamics between cytotoxic immune cells and their tumor targets. To further advance the impact of these tools in the biological and clinical setting, this project will focus on increasing sensitivity of existing technologies to enable the analysis of primary material. We will aim for smooth integration of the experimental workflows and data analysis to address clinically relevant biological question in cancer immunology. We aim to functionally validate our proteomics discoveries with in vitro phenotypic assays and microscopy imaging.

For this position, we seek a highly motivated biochemist or analytical chemist with proven expertise in proximity labeling, mass spectrometry and proteomics and experience with cell culture and flow cytometry, preferably working with immune cells. Having your own project, you will team-up with dedicated researchers combining expertise in biochemistry, analytical chemistry, mass spectrometry, and bioinformatics to further develop state-of-the-art proteomics methods that will answer pressing biological questions.

Conducted in Utrecht (Netherlands), London (UK), St. Pölten (Austria), and Sabadell (Spain), ACTIVATE captures diverse social and spatial contexts to understand how mobility patterns evolve. The project combines quantitative and qualitative methods to identify barriers and enablers of active mobility and to develop actionable strategies that promote inclusive, youth-friendly, and sustainable urban environments aligned with the 15-Minute City concept.

At Utrecht University, you will contribute to three key components of the project:

1. Survey research: designing, coordinating, and analysing a household survey among families with children and youth in four European cities. The survey will examine how household structure, social demographics, and neighbourhood design influence walking and cycling behaviour.
2. Qualitative fieldwork: conducting and analysing walk-, scooter-, and bike-along interviews with young children (aged 4-6) and their caregivers in Utrecht to explore how they perceive and experience their mobility environments.
3. Co-creation workshops: working with municipalities, schools, and community partners to co-design and test strategies that foster active mobility among children and youth. These workshops will help translate research findings into practical, context-sensitive policy and design recommendations.