We are looking for a talented post-doc researcher in the field of molecular ecology to lead a 2 year project on plant physiological adaptations to multi-herbivore attack. As part of an ongoing ERC project, you will collaborate with a team of young scientists with expertise in ecology, entomology and plant sciences. We explore how plants deal with attack by multiple insect herbivores and how their physiological capabilities to respond to multi-herbivore attack correspond with the assembly of their insect community in the field. Your role is to investigate plant plasticity in resistance to multiple herbivores primarily using transcriptome analysis (RNA-seq), bioinformatics and targeted gene expression methods (RT-qPCR).

You will be encouraged to set your own independent targets in this research line of plant defence plasticity. We anticipate your involvement in broader projects of the research team such as using molecular tools to unravel herbivore physiological responses to attack by parasitic wasps.

You are an enthusiastic and team-oriented post-doc with an academic record (PhD) in molecular ecology of plant-insect interactions, or plant physiology. We particularly look for knowledge and experience in RNA-seq and bioinformatics. You are curiosity driven and a creative thinker in the field of plant adaptations to biotic stress and enjoy multidisciplinary collaboration. You like to combine experimental plant sciences with molecular and data analyses as well as (co)-supervision of BSc/MSc students. We expect excellent oral and written English communication skills.

We offer you a two year position (1.0 or 0.8 fte). The maximum gross salary is € 4.166 per month (based on 1.0 fte employment), and dependent on experience. The candidate will be based at the Laboratory of Entomology in Wageningen.

Wageningen University & Research

The Laboratory of Entomology of Wageningen University addresses the ecology of insects with a focus on understanding ecological phenomena in the context of the underlying mechanisms. At the Laboratory of Entomology the research teams consist of ambitious scientists and we aim at an interdisciplinary approach from cellular to community level to unravel biological phenomena underlying the functioning of plant-insect communities, insect vectored diseases, insect neurobiology and insects as food and feed. The Laboratory of Entomology is part of the Plant Sciences Group of Wageningen University and Research. The post-doc position is embedded in the research team of Dr. Poelman. His team studies community ecology of plant-insect interactions and consists of ecologists, entomologists, molecular biologists and computational modellers.

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, 5,000 employees, and 10,000 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.