Research / Academic
Wageningen
You might share our view that drastic changes are required in current agricultural practices to make food production systems compatible again with a biodiverse environment. One aspect of this are alternative culturing practices, such as by cultivating different plants together in intercropping. However, the impact of this culturing practice on the soil microbiome, comprising prokaryotes, viruses, fungi, and protists, is understudied.
Background: Soil microbiome in intercropping
Plant yield is determined by interspecific interactions in the field. Intercropping can result in higher yields as competition between crop species that exploit different niches can be lower than intraspecific competition. Plant yield is further influenced by the soil microbiome, a diverse assembly of many thousands of microbial species that range from plant mutualisms to pathogens. While the importance of the soil microbiome is well acknowledged to determine plant yield, the relative contribution of the soil microbiome to yield in intercropping remains unknown. Only recently, the appropriate molecular and bioinformatic tools became available to decipher this open question.
This (and potentially your) project aims at deciphering the role of the soil microbiome to yield in intercropping. As overall outputs we envisage to identify potential soil microbiome differences and potentially keystone species that determine yield increases in intercropping. In terms of methodology and approaches, you will set up greenhouse experiments and use state-of-the-art high-throughput DNA sequencing approaches followed by bioinformatic and statistical approaches.
You will work together in a stimulating environment composed of scientists in the Laboratory of Nematology (with major expertise in the plant microbiome) and in the Bioinformatics Group (with expertise in molecular data analyses). Furthermore, this project is imbedded in a consortium of young staff members of different groups of Plant Sciences at Wageningen University that focus on the plant side of the interaction and also on developing modelling approaches. Together, we aim for providing entirely novel insights into the importance of intercropping. Beyond the scientific and potentially application merits, you will build a wide network for your future career both within and outside Wageningen University.
Requirements:
- a successfully completed MSc degree in microbiology, molecular ecology, bioinformatics or a related field
- a broad range of molecular ecological skills (e.g. PCR), and (at least) a basic background in bioinformatics;
- skills or at least interest in performing greenhouse experiments
- well-developed communication skills and interest in close interdisciplinary collaborations
- ability to work effectively as a team member and to carry out individual research
- 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: www.wur.nl/en/Education-Programmes/PhD-Programme/English-language-requirements.htm;
Salary Benefits:
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. We offer a competitive salary of between € 2.434,- per month rising to € 3.111,- 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 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.
Work Hours:
38 hours per week
Address:
Droevendaalsesteeg
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