REAP2SOW Plant soil-interactions in novel protein cropping systems

Do you want to contribute to the protein transition and biodiversity-positive cropping systems? Are you interested in investigating how novel protein crops can support soil functioning and resilience to extreme weather and climate events at different scales? Then this PhD position within the REAP2SOW programme might be for you!

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to investigate how new protein crops, namely quinoa, white lupin and/or aardaker (Lathyrus tuberosus), can contribute to soil health and soil carbon stabilisation in cropping systems. The PhD position will focus on understanding the impact of the inclusion of protein crops in crop rotations on soil functioning and quantifying the relevance of their root exudates for water stress resilience and carbon storage. The approach will include on-farm observations, field experiments and controlled lab and greenhouse experiments.

Your role

• Together with other project members, design and execute experiments on the impact of protein crops on soil functioning and resilience to water stress.
• Develop and perform controlled greenhouse and lab experiments to determine the role of root exudates in soil carbon stabilization and soil structure regulation.
• Be part of a larger consortium working with various disciplines and stakeholders on the design and transition toward protein cropping systems.
• Write and publish your research in leading scientific journals and communicate your findings through your PhD thesis and broader societal outreach.

You will work here
This research is embedded within two research groups: the Soil Biology Group (SBL) and the Soil Geography and Landscape Group (SGL), with supervision by Prof. Ellis Hoffland, Dr. Marie Zwetsloot and Dr. Julian Helfenstein. The Soil Biology Group regards soil life as key to sustainable (agro)ecosystems and study the role of soil organisms in element (carbon, nutrient) transformations in soils. The mission of the Soil Geography and Landscape Group is to improve and share understanding of patterns and dynamics of soils, landscapes and earth surface dynamics and their drivers, like climate change and human-landscape interactions.

This NWA-funded PhD position is 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, comprising two PhD projects, will focus on how climate-resilient food systems and novel protein crops can enhance soil ecosystem functions, such as biodiversity, water stress resilience, and carbon sequestration. The vacancy for the other PhD project in our work package based at Leiden University has already closed.

This work package closely collaborates with other REAP2SOW WPs addressing agronomy, biodiversity, plant physiology, and crop breeding, ensuring strong integration across disciplines and scales. The advertised position will focus on root exudates and soil carbon stabilization as well as scaling up findings through on-farm research to understand how novel protein crops could support soil health in cropping systems. The second PhD based at Leiden University will focus on soil microbiomes and resilience. Together, these projects provide an integrated understanding of the impact of protein crops on soil functioning and biodiversity.

You are a highly motivated candidate who enjoys the challenge of diving into the mechanisms behind plant-soil interactions and scaling up to the regional scale to investigate the impact of protein crops on Dutch soils.

You also possess:

• A successfully completed MSc degree in plant sciences, soil science, environmental science or related field.
• Ability to communicate scientifically as well as with non-scientific project stakeholders.
• Interested in developing expertise from plant and soil science
• Enthusiasm for performing both greenhouse experiments and field work
• Strong analytical and statistical skills, experience with meta-anlysis is an advantage
• Affinity to work within a larger multi-disciplinary project, with strong project/time management skills.
• Proficiency in Dutch, and/or valid driving license (applicable in the Netherlands) can be an advantage.

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognized 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:

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• 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 € 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.

There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities through the graduate school PE&RC (https://www.pe-rc.nl/). We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “ Best University ” in the Netherlands for the 18th consecutive time.

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.

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.