We invite applications for PhD positions in Plant-Microbe Interactions and in NMR-based Structural Biology. Together with a PhD student in Fungal Biology (who is already hired) the PhD candidates will work as a team within the project “MYCOAT; creating sustainable seed coatings” funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO). Each candidate will bring in expertise to develop sustainable seed coatings. Seeds are at the root of global food production. Their viability, germination and resistance to pathogens are key to feed the world. This becomes even more important with the growing world population requiring 70% more food in 2050. Seed coatings were initially developed to evenly distribute seeds on the field. Nowadays, they also contain active components that for instance reduce risk of infection by pathogens. Yet, seed coatings also pose a risk to the environment, for instance, by containing micro-plastics or by inducing anti-fungal resistance. This project aims to develop innovative biodegradable seed coatings making use of fungal mycelium materials. These materials are proposed to fulfill the main functions of seed coatings by acting as a binder and filler and by providing bioactive properties to increase crop performance. The design and properties of the optimum coatings will be investigated by the PhD student using NMR-based Structural Biology. The PhD student in Plant-microbe interactions is responsible for the research on the effect of the coating on plant viability, plant immunity and interaction with the microbiome.

The research programme will be carried out in the labs of Profs Han Wösten (Microbiology), Saskia van Wees (Plant-microbe interactions) and Marc Baldus (NMR-based Structural Biology). This consortium unites complementary expertise (in fungal materials, plant immunity, beneficial microbes and NMR) to move this scientific and societal challenge forward, providing a fundamental basis for sustainable and functional seed coatings.

Successful candidates are curious and ambitious research students who have been trained in scientific writing, communication and presentation in English and have the motivation to work in ambitious, multidisciplinary and international research teams.

The PhD candidate in Plant-Microbe Interactions

• holds a Master’s degree in Biology or a related field;
• has a strong interest in plants and microbes;
• preferably has expertise in molecular biology and analyzing next-gen sequencing data related to transcription or the microbiome.

The PhD candidate in NMR-based Structural Biology

• holds a Master’s degree in Chemical Sciences or a related field;
• has a strong interest in structural biology;
• preferably has experience in NMR spectroscopy.

• expected start date: the project should start within 12 months, but we prefer to start in the autumn;
• a full-time position for 4 years with an evaluation after one year;
• embedding in an interdisciplinary team of researchers;
• a full-time gross salary ranging from €2,325 in the first year and increasing to €2,972 per month during the appointment (scale P according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities (cao));
• the salary is supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% per year;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment conditions (based on the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities).

In addition to the employment conditions laid down in the cao for Dutch Universities, Utrecht University has a number of its own arrangements. For example, there are agreements on professional development, leave arrangements and sports. We also give you the opportunity to expand your terms of employment via the Employment Conditions Selection Model. This way we like to encourage you to continue to grow.

More information about working at the Faculty of Science can be found here. 

Your PhD research will be conducted in the Plant-Microbe Interactions group (Prof Saskia van Wees) or the NMR group (Prof Marc Baldus) at Utrecht University. Your project will be part of the recently granted MYCOAT project, in which also the group of Microbiology collaborates. The Plant-Microbe Interactions group studies fundamental and applied aspects of the plant immune system orchestrating interactions with beneficial microbes, pathogens and insects. The NMR group conducts innovative NMR research for in-situ applications for cellular (bacterial and eukaryotic) systems and (bio)materials. The Microbiology group has a well-established background in fundamental and applied aspects of growth and development of fungi and mycelium materials.

The Plant-microbe interactions and Microbiology groups are part of the Institute of Environmental Biology (of the Department of Biology), while the Structural Biology group is part of the Bijvoet Centre (of the Department of Chemistry). You will become a member of the PhD program Environmental Biology or Molecular Life Sciences of the Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences, and will have access to the courses, retreats, and infrastructure of the Graduate School.

At the Faculty of Science there are 6 departments to make a fundamental connection with: Biology, Chemistry, Information and Computing Sciences, Mathematics, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Physics. Each of these is made up of distinct institutes which work together to focus on answering some of humanity’s most pressing problems. More fundamental still are the individual research groups – the building blocks of our ambitious scientific projects.

Utrecht University is a friendly and ambitious university at the heart of an ancient city. We love to welcome new scientists to our city – a thriving cultural hub that is consistently rated as one of the world’s happiest cities. We are renowned for our innovative interdisciplinary research and our emphasis on inspirational research and excellent education. We are equally well-known for our familiar atmosphere and the can-do attitude of our people. This fundamental connection attracts Researchers, Professors and PhD candidates from all over the globe, making both the university and the Faculty of Science a vibrant international and wonderfully diverse community.