PhD researcher on 'Physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying potato tuber formation, growth and and yield under varying nitrogen availabilitiy' at CropXR / Wageningen University & Research

10 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Wageningen University & Research

Research Field

Agricultural sciences

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

29 Jan 2024 - 23:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

38.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Do you want to be part of the development of resilient crops that require fewer environmentally-damaging inputs? Then you could be the ideal candidate to join our new, interdisciplinary research institute CropXR!

With a budget of 96 million Euro over the next decade, CropXR focuses on creating eXtra Resilient (XR), sustainable, and climate-adaptive crops. By combining plant biology, simulation modelling, and artificial intelligence we aim to develop ‘smart breeding and cultivation’ methods to speed up breeding for complex resilience traits in different growing systems for several crops. This collaborative effort involves four universities (Wageningen University, Utrecht University, Universities of Amsterdam, and TU Delft), numerous companies, and encompasses scientific research, data collection and sharing, education, and practical applications in agriculture and plant breeding.

This vacancy is for a PhD position focusing on the mechanisms that regulate and influence potato tuber formation, growth and yield under varying availability of nitrogen. The project involves experiments in controlled environments with in depth phenotyping and physiological, biochemical and molecular analyses, combined with data acquired from field experiments. This will allow for the identification of key traits and genes contributing to efficient N use and tuber formation, growth and yield under N limitation. Together with another CropXR potato PhD student (focusing on the effects of drought) the interaction between drought and N stress will be studied. This work will integrate with field studies on resilience of potato genotypes under drought and N stress, and provide input for modelling approaches at plant and crop level. It will support breeding for traits relevant for optimal tuber yield under N-limiting conditions, and provide recommendations for crop management toolbox that supports high yield, high nitrogen use efficiency and low environmental impact.

The potato project within CropXR employs multiple PhD candidates, including the one recruited through this vacancy. Close collaboration with fellow PhD students and post-docs in Wageningen, Utrecht, and Delft will be essential to achieving the project goals.

If you are motivated to work in an interdisciplinary research setting, on a challenging project, collaborate with diverse partners, and communicate findings to both peers and the public, we are looking for you.

As a PhD candidate, you will:

• execute trials in controlled environments using state-of-the-art (high throughput) phenotyping tools
• analyse and interpret the data relevant to the goal of the PhD position, contributing to the development of resilient potato crops;
• communicate with experimental research scientists and data and modelling scientists within and beyond CropXR;
• contribute to the education of BSc and MSc students from different knowledge institutions working with you on the project.

Requirements
Specific Requirements

We are looking for four highly motivated and creative candidates to join us in CropXR.

You are:

• a pleasant team player with a pro-active work attitude
• conceptually strong and skilled in practical experimental work with affinity for agronomy and interests in plant stress response and physiology

You have:

• an MSc degree in plant sciences, crop science or a related field
• experience in plant physiological and molecular analysis
• strong collaborative skills

Experience with plant phenotyping and abiotic stress research is an advantage. However, if you feel attracted to the position but are unsure whether you already meet all the criteria, we do encourage you to apply.

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level . Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here .

Additional Information
Benefits

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

• 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 receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The gross salary for the first year is € 2.770 - per month rising to € 3.539,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 4 years.

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 18th 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.
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. For instance under the "30% rule", certain categories of international staff can receive tax exemption on approximately 30% of their gross salary.

Selection process

For more information about this position, please contact Gerard van der Linden, Researcher Wageningen UR Plant Breeding, telephone: 0317 - 480850 or e-mail: [email protected] .

For more information about the procedure, please contact Dax Teunissen, corporate recruiter, e-mail: [email protected]

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including January 29, 2024.

We hope to schedule the first job interviews shortly after the closing date for applications.

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment .

Additional comments

For more information about this position, please contact Gerard van der Linden, Researcher Wageningen UR Plant Breeding, telephone: 0317 - 480850 or e-mail: [email protected] .

For more information about the procedure, please contact Dax Teunissen, corporate recruiter, e-mail: [email protected]

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including January 29, 2024.

We hope to schedule the first job interviews shortly after the closing date for applications.

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment .

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/336459/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Wageningen University & Research

Country

Netherlands

City

Wageningen

Postal Code

6708 PB

Street

Droevendaalsesteeg

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/336459/phd-researcher-on-physiological-and-…

Contact

City

Wageningen

Website

http://www.wageningenur.nl

Street

Droevendaalsesteeg

Postal Code

6708 PB

STATUS: EXPIRED