PhD position Microclimate selection by freely flying mosquitoes

Are you a biologist, engineer or physicist interested in insect flight behaviour? Would you like to contribute to the understanding of flight behaviour of mosquitoes, with the aim to help control mosquito populations and fight their disease transmission? Then you might be the PhD candidate we are looking for!

The project is in collaboration with international partners in Switzerland and Tanzania, with the joint aim to understand the microclimate selection behaviour of yellow fewer and malaria mosquitoes. Within this consortium, you will study the flight behaviour of these disease-transmitting mosquitoes when selecting their preferred microclimates. For this, you will perform microclimate selection experiments in large indoor climate-controlled cages with various temperature and humidity zones. You will use three-dimensional high-speed videography to track flying mosquitoes, airflow visualization and simulation techniques to quantify microclimatic conditions, and agent-based modelling methods to assess how flying mosquitoes select a specific microclimate. You will use the resulting models for the development of mosquito control tools like mosquito traps or house improvement.

This study is part of a research project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) that aims to understand both the behavioural mechanism of microhabitat selection and its effect on the mosquito’s fitness and vector competence. For this, two PhD candidates will be hired. One PhD will be working at the University of Zürich under the supervision of Prof. Niels Verhulst. The other candidate (you), will be working at the Experimental Zoology Group (EZO) in Wageningen University (WU).

At EZO, you will have access to state-of-the-art climate controlled experimental facilities and high-fidelity multicamera videography systems to track flying mosquitoes in 3D and at high spatial and temporal resolution. Also, you will collaborate with experts in fluid-mechanics to characterize the fluid-mechanics within your experimental setups. You will use the combined mosquito flight behaviour and fluid mechanics data to build predictive models of the mosquito flight behaviour in response to microclimatic variations, and how this leads to microclimate selection. These models can then be used by the consortium for the development of novel mosquito control tools.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• Use stereoscopic videography to track flying mosquitoes in variable microclimatic conditions;
• Use experimental and modelling techniques to characterize microclimatic conditions;
• Modelling mosquito flight behaviour in response to these conditions;
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary international partners to jointly integrate your respective research outcomes;
• Disseminate results in peer-reviewed scientific journals and at international conferences.

You will work here
The research is embedded within the chair Experimental Zoology, and member of the Biomechanics and Biomimetics team, led by Prof. Florian Muijres. You will be co-supervised by Dr. Antoine Cribellier.

Requirements:

For this interdisciplinary project, we are looking for a highly motivated and skilled PhD candidate with a recent university MSc degree (or equivalent) in engineering, physics and/or biology.

Specific requirements are:

• strong analytical skills and innovative attitude;
• good programming skills (e.g., Python, Matlab);
• a clear affinity for the fields of insect ethology and vector entomology;
• previous experience in fluid mechanics is preferred (experimental and/or modelling (e.g. OpenFOAM);
• the candidate should be a team player with good communication skills;
• good proficiency in English (both oral and written).

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

Salary Benefits:

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;
• 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 € 2.901,- per month rising to € 3.707,- 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.

38 hours per week

Droevendaalsesteeg