we are looking for a highly motivated PhD graduate who is passionate about breeding crops with resistance to diseases.

In agricultural production, one of the most serious problems is the crop loss (up to 40% of the crop yield) due to plant pests and diseases. One of the most common practices to control pests and diseases is the use of chemicals. However, concerns on health risks due to exposure to residues in food and environment restrict the use of chemical control and urge the use of resistant plant varieties.
Tomato is the world's largest vegetable crop with an estimated production of 160 million tons of tomato fruits. Tomato cultivation is affected by more than 200 species of a wide variety of pests and pathogens. In tomato breeding practice, one of the most prominent issues has been breeding for resistance by transferring disease resistance (R) genes from wild tomato relatives into cultivated tomato. However, resistance conferred by R genes does not last forever since pathogens can overcome the resistance induced by a single R gene. This is known as the gene-for-gene interaction between plants and their pathogens. The interaction between the biotrophic fungus Cladosporium fulvum and tomato typically follows the "gene-for-gene" model, in which so-called avirulence (Avr) genes of the fungus are specifically recognized by matching Cf genes in tomato leading to resistance. Breeding of tomato cultivars resistant to this fungus started in the 1930s and several Cf-genes have been identified in wild tomato relatives and introgressed into different cultivars. However, new C. fulvum outbreaks were always reported soon after the introduction of individual Cf-genes. In this project, we would like to find solution to achieve durable resistance to tomato leaf mold, which is part of a newly granted EU project aiming to increase resilience and quality of tomato varieties.

As PhD candidate you will be using a variety of molecular (genetics and genomics) tools (1) to monitor the presence of tomato Cf genes in tomato cultivars and C. fulvum Avr genes in tomato growing areas; and (2) to identify and characterize novel Cf-Ecp genes that are present in tomato wild relatives and recognize the extracellular proteins (Ecps) secreted by C. fulvum. This project is carried out in close collaboration with the Lab of Phytopathology at WUR.

• An MSc in Plant Sciences or biology, with preference for candidates with good background in Genetics and Breeding as well as phytopathology.
• An enthusiastic, problem solving person who likes to combine lab and greenhouse work.
• Experience with molecular techniques.
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills in English (a mininum of CEFR C1 level). For more information about this proficiency level, please visit our special language page.
• A team player who can also work independently.
• An interest in (co-)supervising (under) graduate students.

We offer you a temporary position for a period of 1 year with extension of 3 years after successful evaluation. Gross salary per month € 2325,- in the first year rising up to € 2972,- in the fourth year for a full working week of 38 hours in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

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.

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