PhD student: Vector-borne virus preparedness

Your job

Are you a passionate researcher eager to contribute to the control of vector-borne viral diseases that are crucial to animal and public health? Wageningen Bioveterinary Research is looking for a researcher to join our vector-borne virus team!

The research in the vector-borne virus team of WBVR focuses on understanding and controlling vector-borne viral diseases of veterinary and public health concern, such as Rift Valley fever, bluetongue and tick-borne encephalitis virus.

Our team is specialized in

1. Diagnostics and surveillance: Detecting and monitor pathogens.
2. Vector-Virus-Host Interactions: Explore how viruses cause disease and spread between vectors (like mosquitoes, midges and ticks) and vertebrate hosts.
3. Development of Arboviral Countermeasures: Creating countermeasures such as vaccines to prevent the spread of arboviruses.

Furthermore, experimental data is used in transmission modeling and risk assessments to help predict outbreaks and evaluate the impact of various intervention strategies, aiding in veterinary and public health preparedness and response.

In this project you will focus on two main research themes:

• The risk of spread by studying the role of host preference on vector competence and the impact of a vector bite on the efficiency of virus transmission.
• The risk of disease by investigating how a bite from different vectors may affect viral pathogenesis.

Your responsibilities

You will be responsible for:

• Designing and conducting experiments to assess the influence of host-vector interactions on virus transmission and disease progression in biosafety level 3 facilities.
• Developing and validating experimental models to better understand the effects of host preference on vector competence and infection outcomes.
• Analyzing and interpreting experimental data to evaluate the impact on animal and human health.

You will work here
You will be working in the vector-borne virus expertise team at Wageningen Bioveterinary Research. You will be directly supervised by Dr. Barry Rockx, and Dr. Paul Wichgers Schreur, and will work in a multidisciplinary team. This project offers ample opportunities for local and international collaboration, guaranteeing a dynamic working environment. 

Your qualities

We are looking for a candidate with the following qualities:

• A  MSc degree in biology, animal sciences, biomedical sciences or a related discipline;
• Strong interest in infectious disease research, vector biology, and host-pathogen interactions.;
• Broad experience in virological techniques (virus culture, titration and neutralization), (primary) tissue and cell culture, molecular biology (qPCR, cloning, NGS, reverse genetics) and immunology (FACS, immunoassays, fluorescence microscopy);
• Good communicative skills (both oral and written) and a collaborative spirit;
• Analytical skills for data interpretation and statistical analysis;
• An Article 9 of the Experiments on Animals Act and experience working with laboratory animals is preferred.

We offer you

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;
• 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 € 2.726 ,– per month rising to € 3.484,-  in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreement Wageningen Research Foundation (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 36 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.

The work location is Houtribweg 39, Lelystad, the Netherlands.

The work may take place partly in buildings with quarantine regulations. In such occasions, contact with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) sensitive animals and poultry production companies is not allowed for three days after work. 
                                                        
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 multi-faceted position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

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.

Do you want more information?

For more information about this position, please contact Dr Barry Rockx by e-mail barry.rockx@wur.nl.

For more information about the procedure, please contact Ine van’t Land, corporate recruiter by email ine.vantland@wur.nl.

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 10 December 2024. We hope to schedule the first job interviews soon after this closing date.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization

We are

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.

Wageningen Bioveterinary Research
Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) is a leading research institute in the field of animal health, and public health. Its unique selling point lies in its interdisciplinary approach to research and its focus on innovative solutions for complex problems in these fields. 

WBVR has a unique position in the Netherlands, as it is the only research institute that is allowed to work with the most animal viruses and bacteria up to level vBSL4 (vDM4), such as foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever in laboratories and animal facilities, were large livestock animals (o.a. cattle) and smaller rodents can be housed. Also, facilities are in place to do research and animal experiments for BLS3 pathogens such as avian influenza and Coxiella. Different experts on specific pathogens, host responses, bioinformatics, pathology, epidemiology and diagnostics allows WBVR to work on the mission and vision of WBVR.   

WBVR contributes to a society where animals and humans live a healthy life by scientific research to prevent the spread of animal diseases and promote health. 

WBVR adds value to the agricultural and life sciences value chains by conducting contract research, R&D, and statutory research tasks. We serve the interests of the Dutch agro-food sector, (veterinary) public health, and the life sciences & health sectors. As contract-research organization we focus on market needs in the animal and human life sciences sectors.

WBVR has 3 focus points, healthy livestock, one health and high tech animal models (including the 3R’s)

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.