A PhD student to design, conduct and analyse lab and field experiments on the impacts of antibiotic residues in manure when applied to the soil. This includes effects on soil microorganisms nitrogen cycling and nitrous oxide emissions from intensively managed grasslands in The Netherlands, but also analyses of antibiotics in soil and/or plants. We look for a highly motivated and skilled candidate who has affinity with laboratory analysis (chemical and/or microbiological); who is capable of coordinating field and laboratory experiments; and who can work both independently and in a multidisciplinary team. This project is a collaboration between Wageningen University (Soil Biology Group) and Wageningen Research (Veterinary Drugs Group). Preferred starting date is June 2020.

You will do all of this in an ideal working environment. Our campus is an inspiring, green place to work, and has been selected as the most sustainable campus in the world multiple times. Besides that, Wageningen University has a #1 ranking for environmental science, ecology and agriculture, as well as very strong rankings in other fields. Do you want to see your future working environment? Check out this video learn more!

• MSc degree in soil science, ecology, microbiology or agronomy;
• experience, or at least affinity, with the required laboratory skills (e.g. instrumental analysis);
• familiar with designing field and greenhouse experiments;
• ability to conduct statistical analyses and experience with scientific writing;
• interest to collaborate at a multi-disciplinary level;
• excellent communication and writing skills in English are considered important assets.

We offer a temporary contract for 1 year with after a positive evaluation extension of the contract with an additional 3 years. The position is on the basis of a 38-hour working week (1 fte), the starting salary is 2191 and the maximum in the last year is €2801 gross per month.

In addition, we offer:

• 8% holiday allowance
• a structural end-of year bonus of 8.3%
• excellent training opportunities and secondary employment conditions
• flexible working hours that we determine together in good consultation
• excellent pension plan through ABP
• 232 vacation hours, the option to purchase extra and good supplementary leave schemes, e.g. the possibility to work a maximum of 2 hours per week extra for extra leave
• a flexible model to put together part of your employment conditions yourself, such as a bicycle plan
• a lively workplace on the Wageningen Campus
• sports facilities on campus that can be used for a small fee.

Wageningen University & Research stimulates internal career opportunities and mobility with our internal recruitment policy. There are ample opportunities for personal initiative in a learning environment. With us you get a versatile job in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of our University is to explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life. The Soil Biology Group blends expertise from the soil, plant and ecological sciences to strengthen cutting edge research and education in the areas of Fertile Soils; Soils in a Changing Climate; Functional Soil Biodiversity and Soil Biological Indicators and Land Management. We have four core themes in which we focus our research:

1. The role of soil biota in nutrient cycling to enhance plant soil interactions and associated ecosystem services;
2. The species richness and community composition of soil biota coupled with soil functions (nutrient provision, carbon management, pest and disease resilience and resistance, water regulation and purification) in (agro)ecosystems;
3. How soil and land management can enhance soil health and the beneficial soil functions provided by soil biota;
4. The effects of climate change on soil life, and the controls that soil life exerts on greenhouse gas emissions from the soil.

The Soil Biology Group is supported by four laboratories, including; a soil biology lab, microscopy lab, microbiology lab and molecular ecology lab.
The main tasks of the group of Veterinary Drugs of Wageningen Food Safety Research are developing and improving analytical methods for growth promotors and veterinary drugs in a variety of different matrices ranging from animal tissues to environmental matrices (eg manure, soil). We are prepared to handle the new challenges regarding food and feed safety, for example in relation to circular economy.

Click here for more information about working at Wageningen University & Research.