Are you a biologist with interest in plant development in response to the environment? Do you have affinity with molecular biology, bioinformatics and the analysis of regulatory (hormonal) networks? Do you want to contribute to our fundamental research with potential impact on societal challenges and knowledge implementation in crops? Then we are looking for you!

Within the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, we are looking for a PhD student who is interested in unravelling the hormonal-transcriptional regulation of de novo stem cell formation in plants. You will be part of a project funded by an NWO-VIDI grant and start from the first of September.

More about the project

Plants have the remarkable capability of continuously re-activating organogenesis throughout their life. This can be seen in newly formed branches in shoot and root. However, this plasticity is still predetermined, as the site of new branches is already decided at an earlier stage of development when cells are still in an undifferentiated state. Remarkably, some plants show an even greater level of plasticity. Herein new axes of growth originate de novo from differentiated cells that regain a stem cell identity. Root nodule formation in legumes is a good example of this de novo organ initiation. Here, fully differentiated cortical cells are mitotically re-activated to form a nodule.

You will use Medicago truncatula. In this model you will investigate developmental processes on a cell-type-specific level by integrating data obtained from highly-sensitive hormone profiling and high-throughput RNA sequencing technologies at a cell-type-specific resolution. Together we will pioneer generating the spatiotemporal hormonal-transcriptional network of nodule initiation, and will provide novel insights into the processes leading to the de novo formation of stem cells in plants.

More about the Laboratory of Molecular Biology

The Laboratory of Molecular Biology at the Wageningen University is part of the newly formed cluster Plant Developmental Biology (PDB). The research of PDB focuses on plant development potentially in response to the biotic and abiotic environment. PDB brings together a group of highly motivated international scientist with a broad spectrum of expertise that study plant development at various levels ranging from molecular interactions and signalling, cellular dynamics, stem cell development till organ formation and the response of plants to their environment. PDB carries out fundamental research with potential impact on societal challenges and knowledge implementation in crops.

We are looking to recruit a biologists with experience in plant science to join us at the laboratory of Molecular Biology of the Plant Science Group at Wageningen University.

The candidate is expected to:

• Hold a MSc degree in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology or equivalent study,
• has a proven background in Bioinformatics,
• be a motivated team player with excellent research skills,
• have very good communication skills and proficiency in English (both oral and written).

The PhD candidate will be supervised by Dr. Wouter Kohlen. The position will be embedded in the Plant Developmental Biology Cluster which will give access to a highly social, collaborative and scientifically stimulating work environment. Moreover, state-of-the-art tools and technologies will be available to the candidate as well as a broad spectrum of expertise ranging from plant developmental biology, molecular biology, cell biology, bioinformatics, and plant physiology. In addition, Dr. Kohlen is part of a larger international scientific network focussed on nodule organogenesis in which you will be able to participate. Together with various seminars and courses this will provide ample opportunity for scientific and personal development.

We offer you a temporary position for a period of 1 year with extension of 3 years after successful evaluation. Gross salary per month € 2.395,- in the first year rising up to € 3.061,- per month in the fourth year. We not only offer a competitive salary but also good (study) leave and a pension of the ABP Pension Fund.

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,
• 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,
• for a small fee, make use of the sports facilities on campus.

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 specialized 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 organizations 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 www.wur.nl/career.