PhD position - Understanding the functionalities of agriculture waste streams to redesign crops (Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action

7 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Wageningen University & Research

Research Field

Agricultural sciences

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

25 Mar 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

The European Bioeconomic University’s (EBU) joint doctoral network DESTINY is a Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action and offers a total number of 15 fully funded PhD positions in an inter- and transdisciplinary research and education programme across Europe. DESTINY will address the transition from a fossil-based towards a biobased economy by developing novel methods and tools to optimise biomass production systems, develop novel biobased value chains and assess their sustainability holistically. We cover a number of disciplines and sectors from agronomy and engineering to economics, political and social sciences, to create a novel type of scientist: the bioeconomist.
For achieving this, we offer a multi-disciplinary curriculum to equip the 15 Doctoral Candidates with the knowledge and skills need to become leading experts of Europe’s sustainable bioeconomy transition. The research programme is at the crossroads between and targets the agricultural and forestry sectors, the bioeconomy industry, academia, consultancies and governments.

As a doctoral candidate you will research at Wageningen University and Research (Wageningen, the Netherlands) and at University of Hohenheim (Stuttgart, Germany) on the following research project- PhD research topic Understanding the functionalities of agriculture waste streams to redesign crops(reference code: DESTINY-DC3.3).

Specific objective of the PhD research project
Understanding the functionalities of agriculture waste streams to redesign crops, by:

• Uncover the chemical composition and functionalitiesof different sources of agriculture side streams.
• Identify genetic markers of key genesresponsible for biomass quality and composition in plant organs that are currently not used.
• Develop tools for breedingfor varieties with better quality and functionalities.

This project will generate tools for breeding for “whole biomass-use” crops, that are more efficient in the use of resources.

You will work here
The research is embedded within the chair Plant Breeding and member of the Bioeconomy team, which is led by Prof. Luisa Trindade. You will be co-supervised by the University of Hohenheim (Stuttgart, Germany)

After successful completion of the PhD programme, the doctoral candidate will receive a PhD double degree from both universities and an additional certificate from the EBU DESTINY network as diploma supplement.

Requirements
Specific Requirements

• graduation in a discipline related to plant biology, plant genetics or biobased sciences, (Bologna agreement-compliant degree on Master level required);
• interest in crops for a circular and biobased economy
• affinity with plant genetics and biochemistry
• ability to work on and solve problems independently and well-structured;
• good communication skills and interest on working together with people from other scientific disciplines (multi-disciplinary projects);
• fluency in English. For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level (recent proof required). More information can be found here.
• willingness to travel.

The doctoral candidate must comply with the following criteria:

• not have resided or carried out their main activity (e.g. studies) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the past 36 months before recruitment;
• not be in possession of a doctoral degree;
• become enrolled in the doctoral programme leading to the award of a doctoral degree at the first supervising university and, within one year, become enrolled in the doctoral programme leading to the award of a doctoral degree at the second supervising university;
• work exclusively and full time for the PhD research project.

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 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

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 19th 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 for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

Selection process

For more information about this position and the application procedure, check the Euraxess website: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/197188

Do you want to apply?
You can apply by submitting the following documents to [email protected] . Applications need to be submitted through this email id only.

• Up to date CV including details of education/qualifications, work experience and publications;
• Copy of a valid ID/Passport;
• Letter of motivation your research career goals, skills and experience with respect to the PhD research project (max. 1 page);
• Proof of English language certification.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including 25 March 2024. We hope to schedule the first job interviews soon after the closing date.

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 and the application procedure, check the Euraxess website: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/197188

Do you want to apply?
You can apply by submitting the following documents to [email protected] . Applications need to be submitted through this email id only.

• Up to date CV including details of education/qualifications, work experience and publications;
• Copy of a valid ID/Passport;
• Letter of motivation your research career goals, skills and experience with respect to the PhD research project (max. 1 page);
• Proof of English language certification.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including 25 March 2024. We hope to schedule the first job interviews soon after the closing date.

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/338700/

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/338700/phd-position-understanding-the-funct…

Contact

City

Wageningen

Website

http://www.wageningenur.nl

Street

Droevendaalsesteeg

Postal Code

6708 PB

STATUS: EXPIRED