Researcher - Home Based

Tenure Track: a four-year temporary contract, with the possibility of a permanent contract
PhD degree

Are you the innovative botanist who can bridge taxonomic expertise with modern species identification techniques? Then Naturalis in Leiden is the place for you Working at Naturalis means working on research with a truly global impact — contributing directly to biodiversity. With state-of-the-art museum collections and lab facilities, many inspiring colleagues and access to our international network, Naturalis offers everything you need to strengthen your career as a scientist.

As a researcher …
You will have ample opportunities to showcase and share your research and results widely, through publications, presentations, or with partners in our international network.
You will receive strong support in identifying and applying for funding opportunities, with access to our dedicated Research Coordination Office.
As an ambitious, enthusiastic, and innovative scientist you will strengthen our research on the identification, description, and monitoring of Dutch plant species and actively support the development of our national research infrastructures. The Netherlands is losing biodiversity faster than most European countries, and urgent solutions are needed. Naturalis, home to one of the world’s largest natural history collections, combines the collection of specimens and digital solutions to accelerate species identification and deepen ecosystem insights. Join us to drive pioneering research and make a tangible impact.
We are looking for a pioneer to explore and unlock the richness of Dutch flora. A taxonomist with a sharp eye for the Dutch species — and the ambition to push new boundaries using molecular and computer vision tools. You will develop your own line of research, acquire project funding, and contribute to outreach, mentoring PhD students and postdocs, and work with a large network of Dutch citizen scientists. This is your chance to lead, innovate, and shape a scalable approach to biodiversity research in the Netherlands and beyond.

A gross monthly salary of € 4,532.00 to € 6,268.00 gross/month for a full time contract (36 hours).
Time off thanks to 27 days of leave per year with full-time employment. We offer the opportunity to all our researchers to develop personal lines of research into vibrant, visible and viable research groups and full support for personal growth and career development. We also encourage collaboration and affiliation with one of the Dutch universities.
Unlimited access to the online training platform Goodhabitz.
These help you stay up to date on the latest developments in both your own field and outside it, such as our lectures, journal clubs and gatherings on various (scientific) topics. Nice extras such as discounts on software for private use, collective health insurance plans, and a bicycle scheme. Fun team outings. All team activities are voluntary.
is the national research institute for biodiversity research and a key player in Dutch en European biodiversity data and infrastructures.
houses one of the largest natural history collections in the world.
This is your team
You will be part of the research group . Describing species, understanding their distributions, evolutionary and ecological relationships, and recognizing their role in human societies – themes in the Tropical Botany research group – are strategic building blocks for global plans on nature conservation and sustainable use.

We're looking for an expert on Dutch flora with a proven track record in independent research who wants to use their expertise in modern taxonomy to accelerate and scale up the identification, description, and monitoring of species. You have experience combining knowledge of (Dutch) species with modern technologies like molecular and imaging techniques, or data science (AI). A completed PhD degree in a relevant field, such as Botany or Biodiversity.
Experience in publishing and disseminating research findings via scientific publications, lectures, conference presentations, or teaching.
Strong proficiency in English.

Become our new researcher
Upload your application in one PDF via the application button no later than 5 January 2026. Your application contains 1. This is a description of the scientific and societal impact of your research, including a list of no more than 10 key outputs with a description of why you consider this important, and a concise table including publications, teaching activities, and major grants and awards. merckx@naturalis.Interviews (online) will probably be held 28-29 January, so keep those two days available as much as possible.
For more information about the application procedure, you can send an email to our colleagues in the HR department via sollicitaties@naturalis.