Are you a researcher keen to contribute to the new sensing technology that can revolutionise the quality and safety of the food we all consume? Then we might have an interesting post doc position for you at Horticulture and Product Physiology of Wageningen University & Research!

We are looking for an enthusiastic postdoc who is interested in detection and prediction of internal disorders and the maturity state of fruits based on computed tomography (CT). In a NWO (Dutch research council for scientific research) project, together with CWI (Dutch national research institute for mathematics and computer science) and the fruit sorting industry, we are developing automated tools that link morphological information to functional properties. We aim to develop tools (models) that, based on high throughput, real time, simultaneous CT imaging, can detect features relevant to detect and predict the occurrence of internal disorders and the maturity in fruits in order to provide fully individualized quality assurance.

We are looking for a postdoc with a background in postharvest physiology and entomology.
The work consists of developing two demonstrators for real-time inspection and prediction of the internal state of fruits.

• First demonstrator: you will setup a range of experiments with the aim of inducing and detecting internal disorders with a focus on insect infestation through individual 3D reconstruction.
• Second demonstrator will induce clearly defined ripeness classes for fruits. The aim here is to detect the maturity state through individual 3D reconstruction, including modelling of the remaining shelf-life. In that way, the demonstrators can be the start of decision support systems for the fruit sorting industry.

• You have a PhD degree in plant sciences or entomology
• You are a result-driven team player with creative ideas setting up experiments, excellent communication skills as well as good proficiency in English (both oral and written)
• You have published high-quality papers in peer-reviewed journals
• You have proven knowledge of fruit physiology and fruit-insect relationships
• Expertise in data analysis, programming skills and modelling is strongly preferred
• You are motivated to teach and supervise BSc and MSc students

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 of course receive a good salary. In this postdoctoral position, depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary from a minimum of € 2836,- to a maximum of € 4474,- per month for a full working week of 38 hours in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement Dutch Universities. This position is for 0.7-1.0 fte for 2 years (assuming 1.0 fte).

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!

The chair group Horticulture and Product Physiology conducts high impact research and educates students providing the scientific basis required to answer questions that are of utmost importance for sustainable crop production and product quality in horticulture.

The research focus is on how physiological processes in crops, plants and plant organs interact with the abiotic environment and how this affects crop production and product quality. Questions arising from horticultural practice are translated into fundamental research topics, aiming to explain mechanisms. The research and education contribute to sustainably feeding the World with healthy and high-quality products.
The chair group is an international team consisting of 16 permanent staff members, about 25 PhD candidates and postdocs and a number of guest researchers. Each year about 40 MSc students conduct their thesis study (a 6-month research) at our group. We organize and participate in a variety of courses for BSc and MSc students to transfer knowledge on horticulture (pre- and post-harvest), environmental physiology and product quality.

More info about the chair group can be found at www.hpp.wur.nl or see the video below:

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