We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated PhD candidate with a keen interest in evolutionary biology and genetics and/or medical microbiology/mycology.

You will work in a project that addresses the One-Health consequences of circularity through the resistance development to environmental and medical azoles in the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus in accumulated organic residues. The objectives are to (i) use the diversity of organic waste disposal in the bulb growing sector to discern the key factors driving resistance development, (ii) use these factors to draw up an intervention plan that will be tested in the laboratory and on-site, and (iii) extend the obtained knowledge to general organic waste disposal to assess resistance, transmission routes and health risk across the system. Throughout, patient-risk will be monitored via local, regional, and national spore-trapping as well as patient isolates through hospital surveillance. The project is expected to deliver a quantitative and qualitative One-Health risk-assessment for the pressing problem of rapidly spreading azole-resistance world-wide.

The project has been recently awarded to the Laboratory of Genetics (Wageningen) and the Radboud University Medical Center (Nijmegen) by the Dutch funding organization NWO (see https://www.nwo.nl/en/news-and-events/news/2019/12/three-awards-for-groundbreaking-research-in-agriculture-and-horticulture.html, and full application available on request). The project contains a Postdoc and technician position, and this PhD position. Thus, you will be working in this team with clear own responsibility and ample intellectual freedom to pursue the various biological aspects of azole resistance. Moreover, the consortium contains a variety of relevant stakeholders (e.g. from the bulb sector, waste disposal and composting companies, the chemical sector, and several governmental organizations) with which you will interact during for instance progress meetings.

Our ideal candidate,

• is highly motivated and enjoys working in a team with the Postdoc, technician, and the supervisors;
• has a strong background in evolutionary biology and genetics. Some experience with handling large (genomic) datasets and bioinformatics will be a bonus;
• likes the combination of field and on-site sampling in combination with state-of-the-art laboratory experiments and analyses;
• is proficient in the English language, is good in communication, and enjoys working in a team. 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.

Important competencies for this position are:

• competent learner;
• team player;
• accurate with a good eye for detail;
• planner and organiser.

We offer a full-time position (38 hours), initially for 1 year after which a go/no go decision will be taken on extension with another three years. Gross salary per month € 2325,- in the first year rising to €2972,- gross per month in the fourth year, for a fulltime appointment in accordance with CAO NU.

In addition, we offer:

• 8% holiday allowance;
• a structural year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent training opportunities and secondary employment conditions;
• flexible working hours and holidays can possibly be determined in consultation so that an optimal balance between work and private life is possible;
• 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 where you can easily make contacts and where many activities take place on the Wageningen Campus. A place where education, research and business are represented;
• use 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.

Wageningen Plant Sciences Group, Laboratory of Genetics:
The Laboratory of Genetics investigates causes and consequences of natural genetic variation within species. Because genetic variation plays an essential role in ecological and evolutionary processes, we ask ecologically and evolutionary motivated research questions. We use a wide array of model organisms, ranging from bacteria, fungi, plants and insects (https://www.wur.nl/en/Research-Results/Chair-groups/Plant-Sciences/Laboratory-of-Genetics.htm).

Radboud University Medical Centre
The Radboud University Medical Centre is an academic hospital and centre of expertise in medical mycology, providing care and consultation for patients with complex fungal diseases. Antifungal drug resistance is an important research topic which is approached from a One-Health perspective.

Equal opportunities employer
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.