PhD Candidate Microbial Host Preference in Plant Stress Resilience

Are you an early-career researcher with a passion for plant science? Would you like to apply your enthusiasm to a highly relevant project in the field of plant-microbiome interactions? Then we have the right offer for you.

Join our team!
Plant roots accommodate one of the most diverse, yet vastly neglected, microbial communities on earth. This plant microbiome provides several beneficial functions to its host. The aim of the research consortium Microbial Imprinting for Crop Resilience (MiCRop), funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO), is to harness the genomic potential of root-associated microorganisms as a new platform for improved stress resilience of future crops and sustainable food production. As part of these research efforts, we explore the importance of microbial host preference for stress alleviation on a set of different plant species. This adds crucial information to our understanding of how and in which environment these microorganisms will be most successful. It has thus strong implications on the development of biologicals as alternatives to chemical pesticides. For this project, we are looking for an enthusiastic PhD candidate who will perform controlled laboratory and greenhouse experiments followed by microbial metabarcoding, metatranscriptomics, root metabolomics, and plant phenotyping to determine the differential impact of microbial communities on the host’s ability to cope with biotic stress. You will work with the model plants Arabidopsis thaliana and Lotus japonicus, and the crop species tomato, cabbage, and pea, as well as with unique bacterial culture collections that you will use to design host-specific synthetic communities (SynComs).

What you will do
You will be responsible for planning, carrying out and analysing experiments under lab and greenhouse conditions. In those, you will determine how important the origin of microbial communities is for plant resilience towards biotic stress (mimicked by jasmonic acid treatment). You will collect and process plant tissue for microbiome profiling and root exudates for metabolomics analyses and perform the corresponding data analysis. Using cross-combinations of different plant species and SynComs, you will integrate the results and investigate the relevance of microbial taxa, origin, and host metabolites for plant performance. This will ideally lead to validation experiments with bacterial isolates and/or plant species engineered to have modified host colonization or metabolite profiles.

Your tasks and responsibilities:

• complete a PhD thesis within the official appointment duration of four years;
• perform your experiments in a systematic and well controlled manner and keep accurate records by properly documenting and organizing your work;
• be an active member of the research group and take responsibility for shared tasks;
• discuss your work with group members and during consortium meetings to incorporate feedback and give input to others;
• report your results to the MiCRop consortium;
• present your work at (inter)national scientific meetings;
• take a leading role in writing and publishing manuscripts.
• participate in the Faculty of Science PhD training program and the training program of the Experimental School of Plant Sciences;
• assist in teaching activities, supervising Bachelor and Master theses, and tutoring students.

Your profile:
You:

• have a master’s degree in biology, microbiology, or plant science by the start of your appointment;
• are passionate about science and have a particular interest in the plant microbiome;
• enjoy conducting experimental work (in the lab and greenhouse), as well as data analysis;
• contribute your own ideas to the project and have a collaborative mindset;
• communicate clearly in English, both verbally and in writing.

What we offer you
You will receive a temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months that will be extended after satisfactory evaluation for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date is as soon as possible. The project aims to result in a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. You will also gain experience in teaching undergraduates and master students. Your salary will range between €2,901 in the first year to €3,707 gross per month in the last year of employment, based on a fulltime employment (38 hours per week). This sum does not include the 8% holiday pay and the 8.3% end-of-year bonus. A favorable tax agreement, the 30% ruling, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU) is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and empowering environment at Science Park, we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime employment);
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• a complete educational program for PhD students;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• help with finding housing (studio or small apartment) when you are moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits? Take a look here.

Where you will work
The Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS) is one of the Faculty of Science’s largest institutes. Its approximately 240 scientists and staff members work in 16 research groups that perform excellent research centered on four themes: Neurosciences, Cell & Systems Biology, Microbiology, and Green Life Sciences.

If you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary research team and are eager to contribute to the understanding of how plants interact with other organisms, then the Plant Hormone Biology group, part of the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences is the place to be. We are an international and diverse team of 20+ members, including post-docs, PhD candidates, and technicians with expertise in various scientific areas. We use molecular biology, microbiology, analytical chemistry, and biochemistry to study the crosstalk between organisms and how abundance and function of the root microbiota affect plant performance, including under a range of stresses. Our research is aimed at improving plant performance and resistance and harnessing the potential of beneficial root microbes in crops for sustainable food production with reduced inputs. We build our success on a healthy, collaborative, and social work life, in which we share both progress and setbacks.

If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the position, we look forward to receiving your application. We accept applications until and including 28 February 2025. The first round of interviews will be held in March 2025. Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered. Applications should include the following information (all files besides your CV should be submitted in one single pdf file):

• a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
• a letter of motivation;
• the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation.

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure (for details: national knowledge security guidelines).

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritise diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity. If you encounter Error GBB451, reach out to our HR Department directly. They will gladly help you continue your application. No agencies please.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please get in touch:

• dr. Kathrin Wippel
• Phone: +31 20 525 5963
• Email: k.wippel@uva.nl

38 hours per week

Science Park 904