Are you interested in understanding and applying soil microbiome effects on (parasitic) weed seed germination and viability? Then we have the perfect opportunity for you at Centre for Crop Systems and Analysis, Plant Sciences Group at Wageningen University & Research.

We are looking for a PhD student who will contribute to an improved understanding of the effects of soil-borne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on (germination and viability of) seeds of the parasitic weed Striga, and applications for control in the field.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• identify and prioritize (locally available) high-potential sulfur-rich organic sources and (companion) crop species stimulating soil bacteria to overproduce VOCs that inhibit or kill Striga seeds;
• together with other project members design and execute lab, greenhouse and field experiments to unravel mechanisms and test effectiveness and feasibility of applications to control Striga;
• analyse and interpret data from lab, greenhouse and field experiments addressing both fundamental and applied research questions;
• communication of results in scientific publications and on (inter)national workshops;
• writing a PhD thesis;
• contributing to the teaching portfolio of the group.

Your role
Within the project your role will be to proceed with the project explorations for soil amendments or companion crop species that stimulate soil bacteria to overproduce sulphurous volatiles that inhibit Striga germination or kill Striga seeds. On the one hand you will contribute to an increased understanding of the mechanisms of bacterial volatile effects on Striga seeds, and on the other hand you will apply such acquired insights to the development of Striga control options. You will need to field test such control options in sorghum, millet or rice crops in Africa (Senegal or Ethiopia), on their effectiveness and feasibility for smallholders. You will work within a team of researchers at the chair group and within the larger project team.

You will work here
The research is embedded within Centre for Crop Systems Analysis, and you will become a member of the Crop and Weed Ecology chair group, which is led by Prof. Anten. Your PhD project is further embedded in the PROMISE project This project aims at generating new knowledge on soil microbiome – Striga – crop interactions with the overall aim to develop new Striga control options that effectively target the soil seed bank and are feasible and accessible to cereal farmers in Africa. Parasitic weeds such as Striga impose serious crop losses, disproportionally affecting smallholders in Africa. This issue is aggravated by soil degradation. This project explores an out-of-the-box agroecological solution for this issue.

You are a highly motivated candidate who sees elucidating tripartite interactions between microbes, weeds and crops and the subsequent development of weed management applications as an interesting challenge.

You also possess:

• a successfully completed MSc degree in plant or soil sciences, with particular interest in arable crops, weed ecology and management;
• Or: a successfully completed MSc degree in microbiology with proven experience in plant experimental research;
• experience and skills in experimental research and data analysis;
• the ability to communicate with scientific as well as non-scientific project stakeholders;
• affinity to field work, in particular in Africa;
• affinity to work within a larger multi-disciplinary project, and strong project/time management skills.

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

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 € 2.872,- per month rising to € 3.670 ,- 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.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands 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. 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.

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of Wageningen University & 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, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below 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.