A post-doc 'Oomycete biology with impact'. Are you a connecting person who enjoys teaching? That's our core too! Post-docs at the Laboratory of Phytopathology truly dedicate time to teaching. This comprises supervising MSc and PhD students as well as practical courses, and mentoring students performing mini-projects or assignments. Are you willing to help find answers to the challenges of the world in agriculture, healthy food and the living environment? That's our passion too! Our research focuses on fungal, oomycete and bacterial plant pathogens and their interactions with host/non-host plants and the environment. They cause devastating diseases worldwide in agriculture, forestry and natural ecosystems. For many years, oomycete research focused on unravelling the molecular and cellular machinery of Phytophthora infestans that regulates pathogenicity and plant invasion. We primarily studied its cytoskeleton, G-protein and phospholipid signalling as well as host targets of Phytophthora RXLR effectors and the role of receptor-like kinases (RLKs) in plant defence. Albeit that you will have the opportunity to expand this ongoing research, we are particularly interested in your views on studying other oomycete pathogens to explore new lines of research with impact on plant health and food security. Thus, if you have a passion for microbial evolution and the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms for plant infection and defense, please apply! Then, be ready to discuss your keen interest in generating and disseminating knowledge to support breeders and growers in the management of oomycete diseases and training the future generation of plant scientists active in this field.

This position requires an excellent English language proficiency (a mininum of CEFR C1 level). For more information about this proficiency level, please visit our special language page.

• a PhD-degree in (molecular) phytopathology, biology, molecular life sciences or microbiology
• a drive for teaching
• a pro-active, creative and collaborative attitude
• excellent communication and presentation skills
• ambition and enthusiasm to work in a multidisciplinary team in an international environment
• experience in research with oomycete pathogens and/or plant-oomycete interactions

A challenging position with, depending on your experience, a competitive salary from a minimum of € 3123,- to a maximum of € 4274,- per month for a full working week of 38 hours in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement Dutch Universities.
The preferred candidate will be offered a year contract.
This will be extended to three years and a subsequent tenure-track position once all requirements are met.
In addition, we offer:

• 8% holiday allowance;
• a structural end of year bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent training opportunities and secondary employment conditions

; • flexible working hours and holidays can possibly be agreed upon in consultation, so that an optimal balance between work and private life is possible;

• an excellent pension plan through ABP;
• 232 vacation hours, the option to purchase extra and good supplementary leave schemes;
• a flexible working time: the possibility to work a maximum of 2 hours per week extra and thereby to build up extra leave;
• a choice model to put together part of your employment conditions yourself, such as a bicycle plan;
• a lively workplace on the Wageningen Campus, where you can easily make contacts and where many activities take place. A place where education, research and business are represented;
• the 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 your own initiatives in a learning environment. We offer a versatile job in an international environment with various 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, 5,000 employees, and 10,000 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.

The mission of our University is to explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life. Within Wageningen University & Research, nine specialized research institutes from the Wageningen Research Foundation and Wageningen University have joined forces to help answering the most important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With approximately 30 locations, 5,000 employees, and 10,000 students, it is one of the leading organizations in its domain worldwide. An integrated approach to problems concerning healthy food and our living environment, and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of the unique approach of Wageningen. The Laboratory of Phytopathology is building a new team. We recently have developed a strategic plan for the future of our Lab, which includes broadening of our base by interdisciplinary approaches to tackle major plant health issues in important food crops and beyond. Building and expanding a team comes with challenges. Hence, we are continuously investing in a pleasant, friendly and yet ambitious team spirit that triggers the best in each and every one of us towards our shared values and responsibilities. These include developing partnership and collaboration across the various groups in the Laboratory of Phytopathology, the diverse chair groups of the Plant Sciences Group, and beyond.