项目介绍

2024年4月24日

Function

Are you a talented and driven individual interested in biological control of greenhouse pests? Do you want to use your passion for biological control in the greenhouse horticulture sector in interaction with growers and other researchers as a PhD researcher? If so, we have an exciting PhD position available at the Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture of Wageningen University & Research in Bleiswijk.

The project “Boosting Biocontrol with Biodiversity in and around greenhouse production systems” is financed by the mission driven NWO-KIC programme “Biodiversity and biotic stress in primary production systems”. As a PhD-candidate you will collaborate with other project partners of Leiden University, Utrecht University, Radboud University and InHolland. In this project, we will study how biodiversity in and around greenhouses can contribute to pest management in greenhouse production systems, but also the social barriers as well as possibly viable business implementations to promote nature-inclusive horticultural systems resilient to pests and diseases. As a PhD candidate at Wageningen University & Research you will be responsible for :

• field studies to analyze the species complex and abundance of pests and natural enemies in flower mixtures near greenhouses;
• field and greenhouse studies to understand how biodiversity adjacent to greenhouses; influences the influx of pests and natural enemies into greenhouses (in close collaboration with greenhouse growers and co-funding project partners);
• laboratory and greenhouse trials to test biodiversity elements such as food, shelter and banker plants, that support long-term establishment of lacewings and ladybird beetles in greenhouse crops.

The project focuses on both fundamental aspects of biological control and on finding practical biological control solutions for growers. As a PhD candidate you will be supported by an individualized training and supervision plan of the Graduate School for Production Ecology & Resource Conservation.

You will work here
The team crop protection of the Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture of Wageningen Research is located in Bleiswijk. You will collaborate with an enthusiastic team of entomologists to further develop biological control systems and sustainable crop protection. You will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Gerben Messelink. The position is also embedded within the Laboratory of Entomology of Wageningen University. The Laboratory of Entomology focusses on the ecology of insects with an emphasis on understanding ecological aspects in the context of the underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms. The Laboratory of Entomology and the Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture are part of the Plant Sciences Group of Wageningen University and Research.

Function Requirements

You have:

• a successfully completed MSc degree in Biology, Plant Sciences or a related discipline;
• proven interest in insect ecology and biological pest control;
• experience with experimental research on insects;
• experience with statistical data analysis;
• the ability to work independently;
• well-developed organizational and communication skills;
• fluency in English and preferably Dutch to conduct academic research and effectively engage with local Dutch stakeholders.

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

Contactinformation

Do you want more information?
For more information about this function, please contact Prof. Dr. Gerben Messelink, by email: gerben.messelink@wur.nl.

For more information about the procedure, please contact Noorien Abbas, corporate recruiter, by email: vacaturemeldingen.psg@wur.nl .