For decades, the control of potato cyst nematodes in Europe could rely on the cultivation of resistant potato cultivars. However, in 2014 the first case of a resistant-breaking population of potato cyst nematodes was reported in the northwestern part of Germany. Since then, resistance-breaking nematode variants have emerged at other places in Europe as well, which is a cause of serious concern because potato cyst nematodes are classified as quarantine organisms and the EU has a zero-tolerance policy in place for these parasites.

Recently, we started a public-private partnership project with companies and governmental organizations to study the molecular and genetic mechanisms governing virulence of potato cyst nematodes. By extensive whole genome sequencing of populations of potato cyst nematodes with varying degrees of virulence we could pinpoint loci significantly associated with breaking resistance in potato cultivars. These genome loci in potato cyst nematodes harbor multiple candidate virulence genes, which need to be further functionally characterized in laboratory and green house experiments.

Are you interested in becoming part of a larger research team trying to establish a causal relationship between specific genome loci associated with virulence in potato cyst nematodes and breaking resistance in potato? Your task will be to test candidate virulence genes (and variants thereof) for their involvement in triggering a defence response in resistant potato cultivars. You will use the outcome of this study to further investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying defence activation and/or suppression by nematode virulence factors. The products of these virulence genes will also function as effectors for potato cyst nematodes in host plants, and your research area can be best characterized as effector biology. Besides a clear fundamental focus of your project, you will also be involved in the translational aspects of the research by contributing to the development of diagnostic markers for virulence management at the farm level.

• a successfully completed MSc degree in Plant Sciences, Plant Biotechnology, Biology, Molecular Life Sciences, or equivalent;
• A broad range of molecular biological skills, such as cloning, tissue culturing, plant transformation;
• Well-developed organizational skills as the experimental work included in this project is logistically complex;
• Well-developed communication skills as you will interact with colleague researchers, representatives of companies that are partners in the project;
• You have a very good level of oral and written English. You are required to show us a certification of English skills.

CAO WU
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 € 2.395,- per month rising to € 3.061,- in the fourth year for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU).

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 center 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.

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.