Are you a talented and driven individual interested in biological control of pests and diseases? Do you want to use your passion for biological control in the greenhouse horticulture sector in interaction with growers and other researchers as a PhD researcher?

If so, we have an exciting PhD position available at the Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture of Wageningen Research in Bleiswijk, in collaboration with the Laboratory of Entomology of Wageningen University.

The project is financed by a Dutch growers association and part of a larger project that aims to develop pest and disease resilient cropping systems. The aim of the PhD project is to develop a new approach for biological control of powdery mildew diseases in the crops strawberry and zucchini by mycophagous coccinellid predators. The vast majority of Coccinellidae are predators of insects, mostly aphids. However, there is a number of coccinellid species that facultatively or even obligately feed on fungi. This group of predators is largely overlooked and little studied.

In this PhD project, we aim to investigate the potential of these predators to control fungal plant diseases, study how these species survive and establish populations in crops and how they interact with other natural enemies in biological control programs. The project focuses on both fundamental aspects of biological control and on finding practical biological control solutions for growers. As a PhD candidate you will be supported by an individualized training and supervision plan of the Graduate School for Production Ecology & Resource Conservation.

The ideal candidate must have the following qualities:

• A successfully completed MSc degree in Biology, Plant Sciences or a related discipline;
• Proven interest in insect ecology and biological pest or disease control;
• Experience with experimental research on insects;
• Experience with statistical data analysis;
• Ability to work independently;
• Well-developed organizational and communication skills;
• Fluency in English.

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognized Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• Partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The gross salary for the first year is € 2.770 - per month rising to € 3.539,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “ Best University ” in the Netherlands for the 18th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.
Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling. For instance under the "30% rule", certain categories of international staff can receive tax exemption on approximately 30% of their gross salary.

Wageningen University & Research

De missie van Wageningen University & Research is ‘To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life’. Binnen Wageningen University & Research bundelen Wageningen University en gespecialiseerde onderzoeksinstituten van Stichting Wageningen Research hun krachten om bij te dragen aan de oplossing van belangrijke vragen in het domein van gezonde voeding en leefomgeving. Met ongeveer 30 vestigingen, 7.600 medewerkers (6.700 fte) en 13.100 studenten en ruim 150.000 Leven Lang Leren-deelnemers behoort Wageningen University & Research wereldwijd tot de aansprekende kennisinstellingen binnen haar domein. De integrale benadering van de vraagstukken en de samenwerking tussen verschillende disciplines vormen het hart van de unieke Wageningen aanpak.

Deze punten geven onze medewerkers aan als goede redenen om te komen werken bij WUR: lees de 6 redenen om te komen werken bij WUR

You will work here
The team crop protection of the Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture of Wageningen Research is located in Bleiswijk. You will collaborate with an enthusiastic team of both entomologists and phytopathologists to further develop biological control systems and sustainable crop protection. You will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Gerben Messelink and Dr. Johanna Bac-Molenaar. The position is also embedded within the Laboratory of Entomology of Wageningen University, which is led by Prof. Dr. Marcel Dicke. The Laboratory of Entomology focusses on the ecology of insects with an emphasis on understanding ecological aspects in the context of the underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms. The Laboratory of Entomology and the Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture are part of the Plant Sciences Group of Wageningen University and Research.

Wij werven zelf voor deze vacature. Acquisitie wordt niet op prijs gesteld, maar delen in je netwerk wel.