PhD candidate Plant Photobiology

Do you have a strong interest on exploring how light acts as a signal to regulate plant growth and energy production? Are you driven to address the molecular biology behind light modulation of chloroplast processes? Do you want to breakthrough the molecular signaling cascades involved in inter-organellar communication for photosynthesis? Are you excited to work in a vibrant, international team of plant scientists? If yes, then we may have the perfect opportunity for you!

The Plant photoreceptors in the regulation of chloroplast metabolism group in the Laboratory of Molecular Biology is recruiting a motivated PhD candidate with a deep interest in plant molecular biology, particularly in the interplay between light signalling, chloroplast biology and photosynthesis.

Light photoreceptors, including the phytochromes that detect red and far-red light, and the cryptochromes that sense blue light are master sensors and integrators of environmental signals. They play crucial roles in chloroplast development, photosynthetic metabolism and plant growth. We are interested in dissecting the molecular mechanisms that enable these photoreceptors to transmit environmental information across organelles, coordinating the nuclear and the plastid genomes for efficient photosynthesis. This includes exploring the intersection of transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory events.

In this PhD project you will investigate new molecular pathways that connect the environmental sensing capacity of the photoreceptors to the coordination of the nuclear and the plastid genomes, ensuring optimal energy production in response to a changing environment.

As a new team member, you will also have the opportunity to strengthen the teaching and supervision of BSc and MSc students in plant molecular biology. Since we intend to break new grounds and make new connections in research on photobiology, collaborations within and between groups are strongly supported.

In this PhD trajectory you can:

• enthusiastically develop your plant molecular biology basic research skills;
• establish collaborations with experts in various aspects of plant-light interactions, molecular biology, cell biology, chloroplast biology and photosynthesis
• supervise BSc and MSc students in the lab and develop teaching skills in our courses.

• You hold an MSc degree in Plant Science, Molecular Biology or a related field.
• You have strong experience with plant molecular biology approaches.
• Experience with Arabidopsis thaliana, photobiology, chloroplast biology and/or photosynthesis are advantages.
• You are creative and have strong problem-solving skills.
• You are an enthusiastic team player with strong communication skills and proficiency in English. For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at least at C1 level. For more information about this proficiency level, please visit our language page.

You will work here
This position is embedded within the Laboratory of Molecular Biology that is one of the two pillars of the cluster Plant Developmental Biology at Wageningen University. Dr. Gabriela Toledo-Ortiz joined this group in August 2024 and forms part of the plant photobiology group within the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, that includes the laboratories of Prof. Ronald Pierik and Dr. Andres Romanowski. This PhD position is within the plant photobiology group that combines expertise on plant photoreceptors, chloroplast biology, photosynthesis, shade avoidance and circadian clocks.

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;
• 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 € 2.901,- per month rising to € 3.707,- 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.

Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.

You will work on the greenest campus in the Netherlands, in an innovative, international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands by our students! A place to be proud of.

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.

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

For more information about this position, please contact Gabriela Toledo-Ortiz via gabriela.toledoortiz@wur.nl

For more information about the procedure, please contact psg.vacaturemeldingen@wur.nl.

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval. Please upload your latest CV (including email address of three potential references) and a motivation letter via the online portal. and fill out the additional information form.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including 12th May 2025. We hope to schedule the first interview round early (Format: online). If necessary, a second interview round will be conducted (Time and format: to be determined).

The intended starting date of the position is 1st August 2025, or the earliest possible for candidates with visa application issues.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

For more information about this position, please contact Gabriela Toledo-Ortiz via gabriela.toledoortiz@wur.nl

For more information about the procedure, please contact psg.vacaturemeldingen@wur.nl.

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval. Please upload your latest CV (including email address of three potential references) and a motivation letter via the online portal. and fill out the additional information form.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including 12th May 2025. We hope to schedule the first interview round early (Format: online). If necessary, a second interview round will be conducted (Time and format: to be determined).

The intended starting date of the position is 1st August 2025, or the earliest possible for candidates with visa application issues.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.