Two PhD positions on plant stress physiology, nitrogen and photosynthesis

Do you want to contribute to the protein transition? Are you interested in understanding how novel protein crops respond to abiotic stress? Then one of these 2 PhD positions within the REAP2SOW programme might be suited for you!

We are looking for two enthusiastic and motivated PhD candidates to study (PhD1) abiotic signals that regulate below‑ground development and (PhD2) above-ground responses of to stress and source–sink relationships of three novel protein crops — quinoa, white lupin and tuberous pea (a.k.a. aardaker, Lathyrus tuberosus). The research will focus on how temperature and water stress affect nitrogen acquisition, photosynthesis, root development and the allocation of carbon and nitrogen between source and sink tissues.

Your role

PhD1:

• Together with other project members you will design and execute controlled-environment experiments, including targeted phenotyping of roots, nodules, and tubers, using reference genotypes and by manipulating abiotic factors (e.g. temperature, water, N).
• You will conduct molecular and cellular analyses using histology, microscopy, single-cell and bulk transcriptomics, mutant screens and transformation approaches to identify signalling pathways and regulatory components.
• You will analyze data and integrate multi-modal datasets by applying quantitative/statistical and bioinformatics skills.
• You will coordinate collaboration by managing cross-team experiments.
• You will write and publish your research in leading scientific journals and communicate your findings through your PhD thesis and via broader societal outreach.

PhD2:

• Together with other project members you will design and execute controlled-environment experiments using reference genotypes and by manipulating abiotic factors (e.g. temperature, water, N).
• You will collect physiological and whole-plant measurements including gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, optical spectroscopy, and stable isotope labelling to quantify C and N fixation, uptake, and allocation.
• You will analyze data and integrate multi-modal datasets by applying quantitative/statistical skills.
• You will coordinate collaboration by managing cross-team experiments.
• You will write and publish your research in leading scientific journals and communicate your findings through your PhD thesis and via broader societal outreach.

You will work here
This research is embedded within four research groups, at Wageningen University and Utrecht University: the Centre for Crop Systems Analysis (WU-CSA), the Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Biology (WU-CDB), the Plant Stress Resilience research group (PSR-UU) and the Experimental and Computational Plant Development research group (ECPD-UU). Supervision will be by Prof. Jochem Evers (WU-CSA), Dr. Steven Driever (WU-CSA), Prof. Viola Willemsen (WU-CDB), Dr. Wouter Kohlen (WU-CDB), Dr. Martijn van Zanten (PSR-UU) and Dr. Kaisa Kajala (ECPD-UU).

These NWA-funded PhD positions are part of the REAP2SOW programme, a national collaboration between Wageningen University & Research, Utrecht University, Leiden University, the University of Twente, and the University of Groningen, together with partners across the agri-food sector. REAP2SOW addresses the urgent challenge of transitioning to a sustainable, plant-based protein system by 2050, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture and strengthen food security in the face of climate change and increasing weather extremes that affect ecosystem functioning. The programme brings together interdisciplinary expertise spanning natural, social, and technical sciences.

Within REAP2SOW, our work package investigates below-ground development, nitrogen acquisition, and above-ground carbon fixation in quinoa, white lupin, and aardaker, focusing on root traits, nodules, and tuber development to assess nutrient-use efficiency. It tests how abiotic stresses—especially high temperature and fluctuating water availability—affect photosynthesis, nitrogen uptake, and carbon–nitrogen allocation using advanced tools such as single-cell transcriptomics, root imaging, isotope tracing, gas-exchange, and leaf spectroscopy. The projects aim to uncover physiological processes, signalling pathways and traits that improve crop resilience. This work package closely collaborates with other REAP2SOW WPs addressing nutrient efficiency, and nutritional quality to guide genotype selection under stress.

You are a highly motivated candidate who enjoys the challenge of investigating the underlying physiology and stress response of novel protein crops.

You also possess:

• A successfully completed MSc degree in plant sciences, plant (molecular) biology, or related field.
• Experience in one or more of the following: (PhD 1 and 2) (molecular) plant physiology, the field of plant stress resilience, executing controlled-environment growth experiments.
• Skills or experience in one or more of the following are an advantage: (PhD1) molecular biology, transcriptomics, quantitative data analysis, bioinformatics, mutant screens and plant transformation, microscopy; (PhD2) physiological measurements (e.g. gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, optical spectroscopy), stable isotope labelling.
• Affinity to work within a larger multi-disciplinary project, with strong teamwork/project-management skills needed for cross-institutional collaboration.

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 € 3.059,- per month rising to € 3.881,- 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 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.

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.