Postdoc Understanding Asexual Embryo Development in Plants

Your job

Are you interested in understanding how plant cells reproduce asexually? Are you looking for a next step in academia? We have a postdoc position in apomixis. Will you join us?

What are you going to do?
You will participate in the ApoSoy project that is funded by the Foundation for Food and Agriculture’s Crops of the Future program. ApoSoy is a collaboration between seven academic groups and three private partners located in Europe and the U.S.A. Together, we aim to identify new genes that control the three major steps in asexual seed reproduction: apomeiosis, egg cell parthenogenesis and autonomous endosperm formation. Your role in the project is to evaluate novel candidate genes for their ability to promote egg cell parthenogenesis and to elucidate transcriptional networks that drive egg cell parthenogenesis. Arabidopsis and soybean will be used as the main model systems.

Your research involves:

• using molecular-genetic and genome editing techniques to overexpress and knock-out candidate parthenogenesis genes;
• using various types of microscopy (confocal, Nomarski optics) to describe the phenotypes induced by modulation of candidate parthenogenesis genes;
• using genetics, proteomics (IP-MS), and epigenetic (ChiP-seq) and transcriptional regulation (RNA-seq) techniques to understand the signalling pathways that drive egg cell parthenogenesis.

Your team
You will join the Plant Regeneration Group that is part of the Laboratory for Biochemistry, Wageningen University. Our group of PhD candidates and post-docs investigates the molecular-genetic pathways that drive plant regeneration through embryogenesis, including in planta systems (maternal haploid induction, egg cell parthenogenesis) and in vitro systems (somatic embryogenesis, microspore embryogenesis). We have a strong interest in transcriptional regulation of these developmental processes.

Your qualities

Of course you are able to work independently, have excellent written and verbal communication skills, have a great attention for detail, and enjoy working in a multicultural, diverse and inclusive environment.  Besides these standard skills you need as a postdoc, you are also interested in mentoring PhD candidates and students.

You also have:

• a PhD in plant biology;
• experience in the field of plant developmental biology;
• a background in molecular-genetics and/or transcriptional regulation;
• experience in analysis of NGS datasets;
• a proven track record shown by publications.

In our international working environment, there is an increasing amount of communication in English. Language level C1 is required for this position.

You will work here
The Plant Regeneration group is part of the Laboratory of Biochemistry. Cellular biochemistry is the central theme in our laboratory in which we combine molecular genetics, proteomics, bioinformatics and spectroscopy approaches. We apply this integrated approach to elucidate the function of key proteins in a variety of biological processes. The research in Biochemistry is organised into seven research themes: Redox Cell Surface Signaling, Protein Structure and Function, Plant Development, Biomolecular Imaging, Plant Regeneration, Protein Folding and Stability, and Green Mechanobiology.

We offer you

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

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• 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 year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between € 3.378,- and € 5.331,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10). We initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended for an additional two years on good performance. Of course, we are happy to discuss this with you if you have any questions.

Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.

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. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account, dual career programs 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 the position, please contact Dr. Kim Boutilier, by email: kim.boutilier@wur.nl.

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Rutger Voorrips, corporate recruiter, by email: rutger.voorrips@wur.nl.

Ready to apply?
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

You can apply until Monday March 24^th, 2025. Don’t wait with your application. As soon as we receive interesting applications, we will initiate the first round of interviews.

Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure.

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’.
We pursue this mission through a synergistic approach between Wageningen University and Wageningen Research Foundation (applied research). Our research focuses on questions within the domains of food, living environment, and society. With approximately 30 locations, 7,700 staff members, 2,500 PhD candidates, and over 13,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is among the world’s leading knowledge institutions in its domain. The integral approach to challenges and the collaboration across various disciplines form the core of the unique Wageningen approach.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR.

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves and do not appreciate unasked for services from recruitment agencies. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.