PhD student herbivorous insect-plant-microbiome interactions

We are looking for talented PhD candidates in the field of insect-plant-microbiome interactions who want to unravel how beneficial microbes can reduce insect herbivory. This vacancy involves two positions: One PhD position on root fly-cabbage-microbiome interactions, and one PhD position on aphid-pepper-microbiome interactions.

Cabbage root flies and aphids are major agricultural pests that are still largely controlled with insecticides. Alternative, more sustainable methods to combat these pest are desperately needed. Plants harbour diverse and dynamic microbial communities in and around their roots and shoots. Some of these microbes help the plant in suppressing insect herbivory directly, by reducing insect fitness, or indirectly by inducing plant defense. Many facets of these insect-plant-microbiome interactions are still largely unknown. In this project, you will explore the role of microbes in the rhizo- and/or phyllospere in protecting plants against insects. You will study plant-soil feedback mechanisms, make microbial isolates and test inoculants for their effect on insect and plant performance. You will perform physiological and molecular studies to understand the underlying mechanisms of microbe-induced plant resistance. With this, you will unravel the role of beneficial microbes and the processes that are crucial for plants to maximize profitable functions from their microbiome when attacked by insects.

As a PhD candidate, you will contribute to fundamental research in the context of sustainable crop production. You will be embedded in a diverse group of international scientists and collaborate with colleagues from both in- and outside Wageningen University & Research. Your responsibilities and opportunities will encompass:

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• Designing and executing experiments with herbivorous insects, plants and microbes
• Analysing complex data involving e.g. metabarcoding, metagenomics, and metabolomics
• Isolating and culturing microbes and testing inoculants on insect and plant performance
• Supervising MSc and BSc students
• Writing and presenting research at/in internationally renowned conferences/journal.

You will work here
The research is embedded within the Laboratory of Entomology (Lab of Entomology - WUR), which is led by Prof. Bregje Wertheim (https://research.wur.nl/en/persons/bregje-wertheim ). Your daily supervisors are Dr. Rieta Gols (https://research.wur.nl/en/persons/rieta-gols ) and Dr. Karen Kloth (https://research.wur.nl/en/persons/karen-kloth). Your project is embedded in the MiCRop Consortium programme on microbial imprinting of crop resilience to (a)biotic stresses (https://www.microp.org). Within MiCRop, you will receive training and scientific exposure on plant-microbiome interactions and will regularly meet and collaborate with junior and senior scientists from six universities and institutes in the Netherlands

For this project we are looking for two highly motivated and skilled PhD candidate in the field of insect-plant-microbiome interactions.

You have or are:

• An enthusiastic, creative and proactive candidate who would like to work in a multidisciplinary team
• A successfully completed MSc degree in Biology, Plant Sciences or related field
• A background in insect-plant interactions and/or plant-microbiome interactions, and affinity with microbe-induced plant resistance
• Experience with molecular techniques and affinity with bioinformatics
• Excellent communication skills in English and experience with scientific writing.

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised 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;
• 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 year-end 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 12 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 and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.

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.