项目介绍

2026年5月15日

Your job

Interested in how crops maintain stable yields under both optimal and drought conditions? A PhD position within the Allrounder project – Dissecting the genetic basis of natural variation in root and shoot architecture as basis for breeding climate-resilient barley – might be suited for you!

In a collaborative project between Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) we are looking for two enthusiastic PhD candidates to investigate how wild barley, the wild relative of cultivated barley, can maintain stable yield across both optimal and drought conditions. The projects focus on (PhD1) below-ground development (WUR), and (PhD2) above-ground growth and yield responses to water limitation (NIOO-KNAW/WUR).

Using a high-throughput root phenotyping facility and a diverse panel of wild barley accessions, you will study how root architecture and shoot traits influence plant performance under different water conditions. By combining phenotyping with genetic approaches such as GWAS and candidate gene analysis, the project aims to identify what makes the wild progenitor of barley resilient: what traits and alleles support stable yield across environments? Ultimately, this research will contribute to the development of barley varieties that perform reliably under both optimal and water-limited conditions – true “allrounder” crops for future climates.

Your role

PhD1 (WUR):

• Together with other project members, you will design and execute controlled-environment experiments, including root phenotyping in barley diversity panels under different water regimes, and perform GWAS analyses to identify loci associated with root development and architecture.
• You will investigate the developmental genetic basis of root architecture using molecular and cellular analyses, including histology, microscopy, transcriptomics, and mutant analysis. You will also generate CRISPR/Cas mutants and use transformation approaches to validate candidate genes.
• You will analyze and integrate multi-modal datasets using quantitative/statistical and bioinformatics approaches.
• You will coordinate collaboration by managing cross-team experiments.
• You will write and publish your research in leading scientific journals and communicate your findings through your PhD thesis and via broader societal outreach. 

PhD2 (NIOO-KNAW/WUR) go to: 

You will work here

This research is embedded in three collaborating research groups at Wageningen University and the Netherlands Institute of Ecology in Wageningen (NIOO-KNAW). PhD1 will be appointed at WUR and will be based in the Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Biology (Wageningen University; Prof. Viola Willemsen and Dr. Anneke Horstman). (PhD2 will be appointed at NIOO-KNAW and will be jointly supervised by the Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Wageningen University; Dr. Wilma van Esse) and NIOO-KNAW (Prof. Koen Verhoeven)).The two PhD candidates will work closely together within this interdisciplinary project.

Your qualities

We are looking for motivated candidates interested in understanding the developmental and physiological mechanisms that determine plant performance across environments, with a particular interest in root responses to water limitation.

• You also possess:
• A successfully completed MSc degree in plant sciences, plant (molecular) biology, plant genetics or a related field.
• Strong teamwork skills and the ability to collaborate across institutes and disciplines.
• Curiosity, proactivity, and enthusiasm for working in an interdisciplinary research environment.
• Experience with cereal genetics, molecular biology techniques (e.g. transcriptome analysis, tissue culture, gene editing), and bioinformatics/GWAS analyses is an advantage.
• Affinity with microscopy, cellular approaches, and high-throughput image analysis of root phenotypes, is a plus.

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.

We offer

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 year-end 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 € 3.059,- per month rising to € 3.881,-  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. 

We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. 

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.

Important information

For more information about the position, please contact Prof. Viola Willemsen via +31 31748812 or email: Viola.willemsen@wur.nl.
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Noorien Abbas, Corporate Recruiter, via noorien.abbas@wur.nl .

Ready to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

To apply, please send the following documents (max. 3 pages in total for both documents):

• Complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae (max 2 pages);
• Motivation letter (max 1 page).

The maximum length of the documents must not exceed 3 pages. If it exceeds, applications will not be considered. Additional files such as grades and transcripts are not required during this stage and will not be considered.

You can apply up to and including 11 June 2026. The first interviews will be scheduled soon after the closing date.

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.

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