Do you want to study the effect of pesticides on human health? Do you like the combination of laboratory research and analyse the data sets generated? This position is part of the SPRINT European funded Research and Innovation project to assess integrated risks and impacts of pesticides on environment and human health. This could be the perfect PhD project for you.
Project Description:
We are hiring a PhD candidate that will investigate the human microbiota, health and impact of environmental factors, more specifically exposure of farm workers to pesticide combinations used in agricultural regions across Europe.

The PhD candidate will work in (https://sprint-h2020.eu) a large interdisciplinary European funded Research and Innovation project to assess integrated risks and impacts of pesticides on environment and human health. The goal of this sub-project is to gain a better understanding of the impact of pesticides, thereby contributing towards development of toolbox for predicting the impact of pesticide use on human health and ecosystems.

This PhD project includes both laboratory research as well as bioinformatics analyses of the data sets generated. This candidate will process and analyse human microbiome samples and with the help of a technician assess the effects of pre-determined pesticide combinations in human organoids using transcriptomics and phenotypic assays. Bioinformatics analysis includes the analysis and integration of metagenomics data and transcriptomics data from the organoids.

• Relevant Batchelor level education (e.g. Bioinformatics, Biomedical Sciences, Biology)
• A Masters degree, with relevant practical experience
• A professional, reliable and organised method of working
• Good level of English (spoken and written)
• Affinity with multivariate data mining
• This position requires excellent English language proficiency

Employment conditions
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• study leave, and 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 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.

We offer a full-time appointment (1.0 fte, 38 hours/week) for 4 years. Salary ranges from € 2.395,- (gross) in the first year to € 3.061,- (gross) in the fourth year based on full-time employment and according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). 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 encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering an outstanding 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 16th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
We are 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. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. 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, and other issues.

Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University & Research The mission of Wageningen University and 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, 6.500 employees and 12.500 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen's unique approach. WUR has been named Best Employer in the Education category for 2019-2020.

These are the points our employees list as good reasons to come work at WUR: read the 5 reasons to come work at WUR.

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.