We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated biologist or plant scientist with a PhD and mathematical modelling experience, to be part of our crop physiology team of experimenters and modellers. We invite applications from ambitious candidates with relevant research experience and a passion for photosynthesis and modelling complex processes.

The post-doctoral candidate will be responsible for the project "Modelling the high photosynthetic performance of the C3 species Hirschfeldia incana under high light". You will be part of a larger multidisciplinary initiative that will combine genetics, genomics, biophysics, physiology, biochemistry and modelling to understand mechanisms underlying very high photosynthetic rates in C3 plants. In this particular modelling project, the aim is to develop a multi-factor modelling approach to unravel mechanisms for the high photosynthetic performance of Hirschfeldia incana in comparison to Brassica nigra or Brassica rapa. Such a multi-factor model incorporates the following advanced computational activities: a virtual leaf tissue generator, a 3D model of within-leaf distribution of photosynthesis capacity, a 3D microscale reaction-diffusion model of gas transport, a 3D light propagation model, and an extended version of the Farquhar-von Caemmerer-Berry model for photosynthesis.

The Centre for Crop Systems Analysis
The post-doctoral position will be under the daily supervision of Prof. Paul Struik in the Centre for Crop Systems Analysis (CSA), Wageningen University & Research. The position will be co-supervised by Prof. Mark Aarts (Laboratory of Genetics), Dr Jeremy Harbinson (Subdivision Biophysics), Dr Xinyou Yin (CSA) and Dr Steven Driever (CSA).
This is a position within the Centre for Crop Systems Analysis (CSA), part of the Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University. The Centre is a federation of two chair groups, which are closely interacting in all aspects of their daily activities. The chair groups include Crop Physiology and Crop and Weed Ecology. The candidate will be a member of the Crop Physiology chair. Both chairs are strongly committed to excellent research and teaching providing the scientific basis for the development of high-quality plant production in sustainable agro-ecosystems. CSA focuses on understanding the functioning of crops from underlying physiological and community ecological processes. The Centre for Crop Systems Analysis works with social scientists to increase the impact of our research and teaching.
Wageningen University and Research Centre (WUR) is internationally renowned for its research and education in the fields of life sciences, and particularly in plant improvement and sustainability. Through these activities we aim to make essential contributions to the quality of life.

• A PhD in plant science, biology, or related fields, with an interest in photosynthesis.
• Expertise and experience with modelling within a biological context, and handling, analysing and interpreting complex data sets.
• Experience with 3D modelling (preferred).
• A collaborative worker with good interpersonal communication skills.
• A good command of both spoken and written English language (a mininum of CEFR C1 level). For more information about this proficiency level, please visit our special language page.

Applications should include: a cover letter including a statement about your motivation to apply and how you meet the requirements for the position, curriculum vitae, copies of your University PhD degree and contact details of two references.

We offer a meaningful and challenging position with, depending on your experience, a competitive salary from a minimum of € 3123 to a maximum of € 4274 for a full working week of 38 hours in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement Dutch Universities. The job is for a period of 3 years (1 year after a positive evaluation extension for another 2 years) at an international leading organization. The candidate will be based at the Centre for Crop Systems Analysis.

In addition, we offer:

• 8% annual holiday bonus;
• a structural year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent training opportunities and secondary employment conditions;
• flexible working hours and holidays leading to an optimal balance between work and private life is possible and can be arranged by mutual consent;
• excellent pension plan through ABP (the Dutch public sector employees' pension scheme);
• 232 vacation hours as standard with the option to purchase extra leave, and with the availability of supplementary leave according to specific conditions;
• a tax efficient scheme that allows flexibility in the combination of leave allowance and salary for specific options, such as the selling of leave to the employer or making use of a bike purchase plan;
• the lively workplace of the Wageningen Campus where you can easily make contacts and where many activities take place; a place where education, research and business are represented;
• for a small fee, you make use of the sports facilities on campus.

Wageningen University & Research stimulates internal career opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are ample opportunities for own initiative in a learning environment.
We offer a versatile job in an international environment with varied activities in a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is "To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life". Within Wageningen University & Research, nine specialised research institutes from the Wageningen Research Foundation and Wageningen University have joined forces to help answer the most important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.

With approximately 30 locations, 6,000 employees, and 12,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain worldwide. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of the unique approach of Wageningen.

For further information about working at Wageningen University & Research, take a look at thespecial career site.

Equal opportunities employer
We are an employer that offers equal opportunities. We are happy to receive applications from all suitably qualified people regardless of race, gender, functional impairment, religion / belief, sexual orientation or age.
We believe that a diverse and inclusive working environment makes us a more relevant, competitive and resilient organization. Click here for more information about working at WUR with a functional impairment.