We are looking for a talented PhD candidate in the field of animal feed quality, insects as feed, insect health and nutrition. Your research aims to quantify the levels of mycotoxins in feed substrates as well as the insects that feed on these and their products. You will assess the effects of the contaminations on insect health and performance and perform additional toxicological research. The research will be closely connected to that of other PhD students in the programme also focussing on insect health and developing methodology to assess this.

You are enthusiastic, proactive, like to work in a multidisciplinary team and have excellent communication skills. You hold an MSc degree in Biology, Animal Sciences or Biological Chemistry with a specialization in Food or Feed Quality and Safety, Animal Nutrition or similar. We look for experience in analytical chemistry and toxicology, animal nutrition and statistical analyses of complex datasets. Experience with working with insects and/or toxicology is a bonus. You are curiosity driven and passionate about fundamental research in the context of working towards sustainable food and feed production.

We expect the candidate to be proficient in the English language. This position requires an excellent English language proficiency (a mininum of CEFR C1 level). For more information about this proficiency level, please visit our special language page. Our PhD students are encouraged to supervise MSc thesis students when such opportunities arise and you will be involved in teaching activities.

We offer a full-time position (38 hours), initially for 1 year after which a go/no go decision will be taken on extension with another three years. Gross salary per month € 2.325,- in the first year rising to € 2.972 per month in the fourth year, for a fulltime appointment. The candidate will be based at the Laboratory of Entomology in Wageningen.

In addition, we offer:

• 8% holiday allowance;
• a structural year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent training opportunities and secondary employment conditions;
• flexible working hours and holidays can possibly be determined in consultation so that an optimal balance between work and private life is possible;
• excellent pension plan through ABP;
• 232 vacation hours, the option to purchase extra and good supplementary leave schemes;
• a flexible working time: the possibility to work a maximum of 2 hours per week extra and thereby to build up extra leave;
• a choice model to put together part of your employment conditions yourself, such as a bicycle plan;
• a lively workplace where you can easily make contacts and where many activities take place on the Wageningen Campus. A place where education, research and business are represented;
• use the sports facilities on campus.

Wageningen University & Research stimulates internal career opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are ample opportunities for own initiative in a learning environment. We offer a versatile job in an international environment with varied activities in a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is "To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life". Within Wageningen University & Research, nine specialised research institutes from the Wageningen Research Foundation and Wageningen University have joined forces to help answer the most important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.

With approximately 30 locations, 5,000 employees, and 10,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain worldwide. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of the unique approach of Wageningen.

For further information about working at Wageningen University & Research, take a look at thespecial career site.

The Laboratory of Entomology of Wageningen University addresses the ecology of insects with a focus on understanding underlying mechanisms. At the Laboratory of Entomology the research teams consist of ambitious scientists and we aim at an interdisciplinary approach from cellular to community level to unravel biological phenomena underlying the functioning of plant-insect communities, insect vectored diseases, insect neurobiology and insects as food and feed. The Laboratory of Entomology is part of the Plant Sciences Group of Wageningen University and Research.

The focus of Wageningen Food Safety Research is to contribute to safe and trustworthy food and feed by conducting high-quality and independent research through analyses, developing new methods, forensic and scientific research and risk analyses and assessments. This organisation also provides solicited and unsolicited advice to government authorities. Wageningen Food Safety Research is part of the Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group of Wageningen University and Research.

The PhD position is a colloboration between the Laboratory of Entomology and Wageningen Food Safety Research within the framework of the NWA-funded research programme on Insects as Sustainable Feed. In this programme we take an interdisciplinary approach involving natural scientists, social scientists, NGO's and regulatory organisations. The PhD candidate will be member of a larger team of PhDs, post-docs and staff and stakeholders all contributing to the same goal of assessing the value of insects as sustainable feed for a circular economy.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.