PhD position: Manipulating plastid and mitochondrial inheritance in plants

Are you passionate about cytoplasmic genetics in plants? Excited to uncover the mechanisms underlying the maternal inheritance of plastids and mitochondria? If so, we invite you to join our newly established Cytoplasmic Genetics Group.

We are currently seeking a PhD candidate who is enthusiastic about contributing to the ERC-funded research: “Control of Cytoplasmic Inheritance in Plants.”

Your Tasks
In this project, you will

• Conduct hands-on research in the laboratory and greenhouse to investigate plastid and mitochondrial inheritance in Nicotiana tabacum.
• Develop proficiency in a range of research techniques in genetics, molecular biology, and microscopy.
• Support the supervision and mentoring of Bachelor’s and Master’s students.
• Participate in workshops and conferences to present your work and further your development as a well-rounded researcher.

Our research
Besides the nucleus, plastids and mitochondria also contain genetic materials (known as cytoplasmic genomes) essential for key cellular processes including photosynthesis, respiration, and metabolism. Since these organelles cannot form de novo, they must be inherited from one generation to the next.
What makes this inheritance process unique? Unlike nuclear DNA, which comes from both parents, plastid and mitochondrial genomes are inherited exclusively from the mother. Despite being known for decades, the molecular mechanisms underlying maternal inheritance remain largely unknown.
Recent breakthroughs in cytoplasmic genetics have offered powerful new tools that now allow us to investigate this long-standing mystery. Leveraging these cutting-edge techniques, our research aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms governing plastid and mitochondrial inheritance. Gaining insight into this fundamental biological process holds great potential for innovative applications in agriculture and plant breeding.

For more details about our group, please visit our homepage and read our recent publication: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41477-022-01323-7

Our Group
You will join the newly established Cytoplasmic Genetics Group, part of the Laboratory of Plant Physiology at Wageningen University & Research. As one of the founding members of our group, you will work closely with fellow PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and the group leader Kin Pan Chung over the coming years.

Additionally, the Plant Science Group at WUR provides an open, diverse, and inspiring environment for multidisciplinary research at the intersection of biology, chemistry, and physics, offering extensive opportunities for training and collaborations.

Your Qualities

• You hold an MSc degree in Plant Science, Molecular Biology, or a related field.
• You have experience in plant molecular biology approaches.
• Experience with Nicotiana tabacum, including skills in crossing and tissue culture, is advantageous.
• Experience with confocal microscopy is a plus.
• You are creative and equipped with problem-solving skills.
• You are an enthusiastic team player with strong communication skills and proficiency in English.

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;
• 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 on good performance.

We offer a unique position within an international and collaborative environment, where a pleasant and open working atmosphere is highly valued. You will benefit from excellent training opportunities and have ample room to take personal initiative within a stimulating learning setting. You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 20th 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.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands 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. We can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

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 Dr. Kin Pan Chung via this email: kinpan.chung@wur.nl

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

Ready to apply?
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered. You may upload your latest CV and a motivation letter (max. 2 pages) via the online portal.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including 19th May 2025. We hope to schedule the first interview round in early June (Format: online). If necessary, a second interview round will be conducted.
The intended starting date of the position is 1st August 2025.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research 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.