Post Doc on genome assemblies of four plant-parasitic species

Your job

Do you have a keen interest in host-parasite interactions? Do you enjoy applying cutting-edge genomics to current agronomical problems? Are you skilled at genome assembly and eager to explore the genomic and genetic diversity in economically important plant-parasitic species? If yes, then we may have the perfect opportunity for you!

The Laboratory of Nematology at Wageningen University & Research is seeking a motivated and curiosity-driven postdoctoral researcher to join the genomics team. You will be part of an interdisciplinary and collaborative team consisting of both experimentalists and bioinformaticians. In our research, we investigate various plant-parasitic nematode species that cause severe agricultural damage. We recently obtained funding for this research via an NWO VIDI grant, allowing us to deeply explore aspects of nematode genetics. In particular, we are looking at intra- and inter-species interactions. For this research we already have a vast collection of populations available.

As a PostDoc, you will work on genome assemblies of four plant-parasitic species. Datasets based on cutting-edge sequencing technologies (e.g. PacBio, Minion, Hi-C, but also Illumina sequencing) are available for these species. Your aim will be to generate multiple chromosome-level assemblies for these species, allowing deep exploration of the within-species genetic diversity. Furthermore, you will manage an international network to generate expert-driven genome annotations.

You will work here
The research is embedded within the Laboratory of Nematology led by prof. Geert Smant. Your daily supervisor will be Dr. Mark Sterken, who has expertise on nematode genetics and genomics. Work within the team is supported by two technicians (for experimental work and bioinformatics) and within the group there are multiple PhD candidates

Your qualities

You are highly motivated to work with genomic datasets. You are eager to explore non-model species, which generate heterozygous data. You enjoy dealing with analytic challenges and going beyond standard bioinformatic pipelines. You are keen to help us construct and share state-of-the-art genomes for multiple plant-parasitic nematodes. You look forward to presenting your findings both orally (at conferences) and in writing (in academic journals). You are interested in sharing your qualities by teaching and supervising thesis students.

You also possess:

• a PhD degree in a relevant field such as genomics, genetics, phytopathology, nematology, or molecular biology;
• the (proven) ability to write scientific papers;
• prior experience with sequencing approaches and bioinformatics;
• the ability to work independently and within a team of both experimentalists and bioinformaticians;
• a very good level of written and oral English.

In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about language level C1 .

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). Additionally, a contract for 0.8 FTE can be discussed. As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended on good performance. Of course, we are happy to have a conversation with you if you have any questions about this.

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 Mark Sterken, Assistant professor, via email: mark.sterken@wur.nl.

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Noorien Abbas, Corporate Recruiter, via vacaturemeldingen.psg@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 24 March 2025. The first interviews are scheduled for 3 & 4 April 2025.

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”. 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.