Would you like to understand how more biodiverse cropping systems function? Do you have an interest in healthy plants and healthy soils? Will you then join us in developing new insights and breeding strategies for intercropping?

Intercropping, the simultaneous cultivation of more than a single crop species, has been shown to lead to higher and more stable crop yields. At present there is an incomplete understanding of the nature of plant-plant interactions in an intercrop. Furthermore, modern cultivars (bred for monoculture) may not be the best-adapted for intercropping systems. In this project, you will explore crop neighbourhood dynamics in an intercropping system. As well as gaining insights into functional traits contributing to increased intercrop performance, you will explore the effect of genotypic variation on plant growth and pathogen resistance within and between the component crops, necessary to inform breeding perspectives.

You will work together in a stimulating environment composed of diverse scientists at the Laboratory of Plant Breeding and the Biosystematics Group. This project is embedded in a consortium of newly-appointed staff members across the Plant Sciences Group of Wageningen University that bring a multi-disciplinary approach to this topic, combining plant biodiversity, soil microbiome analyses and microbial community modelling in three combined PhD projects (Functional Agro-Biodiversity consortium). Together, we aim to provide novel insights into the functional mechanisms of a model intercropping system with practical applications.

• a successfully completed MSc degree in plant sciences, microbial ecology, or a related field;
• knowledge of plant-plant and/or plant-environment interactions and plant genetic diversity a plus;
• experience with molecular and ecological techniques (preferably next generation sequencing);
• interest in performing field and greenhouse experiments;
• well-developed communication skills and interest in close interdisciplinary collaborations;
• proven ability to think critically, and express oneself in a scientific manner;
• skills in data analysis, statistics and experimental design;
• a very good level of oral and written English. You are required to show us a certification of English skills. For more information about the required level please take a look at: https://www.wur.nl/en/Education-Programmes/PhD-Programme/English-language-requirements.htm;
• you meet all the entry requirements of the WUR PhD programme.

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

• sabbatical leave, 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 of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive salary of between € 2.434 and € 3.111 for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P).

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 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 16th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
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. 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, 6.800 employees and 12.900 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.

Read the 5 reasons why your future collaegues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video 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.