Postdoc Breeding for resistance to different diseases

Your job

Are you interested in exploring the genetic potential of plant resistance to different diseases? Do you enjoy the challenge of applying molecular and genetics approaches to unravel the plant-pathogen interaction? Are you a highly motivated researcher with interest in developing resistant crops for a sustainable agriculture? Then this vacancy may be of interest to you.

In agricultural production, one of the most serious problems is the crop loss (up to 40% of the crop yield) due to plant pests and diseases.

One of the most common practices to control pests and diseases is the use of chemicals. However, concerns on health risks due to exposure to residues in food and environment restrict the use of chemical control and urge the use of resistant plant varieties. Fungi, bacteria and viruses are increasingly becoming a problem in tomato production. Our research aims to explore plant genetic resources by using advanced biotechnology and molecular breeding tools to create tomato cultivars that are resistant to different diseases.

This postdoc position offers the opportunity to apply your research skills in the domain of genetics, plant breeding and phytopathology, and includes time for personal development.

The postdoc will work with different teams on a few projects including an EU project and other projects funded by Topsector and breeding companies.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• Designing and conducting research including writing articles
• Supervising MSc and PhD students

Your team
You will work closely with colleagues in multidisciplinary teams of the research group of “Breeding for Resistance” at WUR Plant Breeding. Additionally, you will be in collaboration with colleagues from other WUR Chair groups including Laboratory of Virology and Laboratory of Phytopathology and Business Units including Biointeractions.     

Your qualities

We are looking for a researcher skilled in genetics, plant breeding and/or phytopathology with a collaborative attitude and a keen interest in resistance breeding. We prefer candidates with experience in crop genetics and breeding.

The candidates should have most of the following qualifications:

• A PhD degree in a relevant field, e.g. Genetics, Plant Breeding, Plant Pathology/Virology;
• Proven skills in research to unravel molecular genetics of resistance to diseases;
• Able to translate fundamental knowledge of molecular plant-microbe interactions into breeding targets for sustainable cultivation
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Collaborative personality, interested in working with colleagues and students
• A proven ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals.
• For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognized Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.

You will work here
Plant Breeding, Wageningen University & Research is a merged unit of Wageningen Research and Wageningen University with around 200 people including MSc and PhD students and guest workers. It is a highly international group with more than 30 nationalities, organized in ten research groups. We conduct fundamental, strategic and applied research and provide teaching at all educational (BSc, MSc and PhD) levels. Our research focusses on the genetic basis of traits which are relevant to achieve a sustainable agri- and horticulture. We conduct this research often in partnership with breeding companies, local, regional and state governments.

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.

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 Prof. Dr. Yuling Bai, Professor and interim Chair of Plant Breeding, bai.yuling@wur.nl.

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with 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 March 24th, 2025. We anticipate that the interviews will take place on April 1st, 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.