Netherlands: PhD-Position Stress in Plant Tissue Culture Wageningen UR Plant Breeding
PhD-Position Stress in Plant Tissue Culture Wageningen UR Plant Breeding (Plant Sciences Group) Vacancy number: DPW 08-54
General information:
Wageningen University and Research Centre (Wageningen UR) is an internationally leading education and research organization in the fields of life sciences and sustainability. It makes essential contributions to the quality of life through pioneering research and innovative education in the fields of sustainable agricultural systems, health and nutrition, and a viable environment.
The Plant Sciences Group (PSG) is a Wageningen UR consortium, bringing together the expertises of Wageningen University and the research institutes Plant Research International and Applied Plant Research. The PSG has over 1800 staff members at 17 locations throughout the Netherlands.
Plant Breeding is part of the PSG having 150 staff members (www.plantbreeding.wur.nl). Plant Breeding teaches breeding at Wageningen University and carries out research for companies, EU and government. The research group Ornamentals, Tissue Culture and Gene Transfer has 20 staff members (including 6 PhD students) and is active in the fields of classical genetics, biotechnology, molecular biology, physiology and plant tissue culture.
Job description
The Plant Breeding research group studies stress related to plant tissue culture, more specifically in micropropagation. We aim to elucidate the molecular, genetic and physiological mechanisms of stresses typical for tissue-cultured plants, with focus on plant-water-relations. At the practical level, the project aims at a drastic reduction of the detrimental effects of stresses by protective measures. Within this project Plant Breeding focuses on hyperhydricity and the research is carried out on Arabidopsis and rose. The research is carried out in collaboration with the Plant Ecophysiology research group, Utrecht University (UU). UU offers a second PhD position on this topic. The research at UU concerns the stress caused by transition of tissue-cultured plants to ex-vitro conditions, also using Arabidopsis. The project is subsidized by the Technological Top Institute Green Genetics, the Commodity Board for Horticulture, 8 tissue culture companies, UU and WUR. The results will be implemented directly by the participating companies.
Requirements
The candidate possesses a university degree at MSc level (or equivalent) in biology. The candidate has excellent knowledge about physiology, molecular biology and plant biology. Proficiency in English (both spoken and written), a science-driven curiosity and a practice-orientated attitude are required. This project requires good communication skills and a true team player.
Conditions of employment
38 h week
Start: as soon as possible
Gross salary per month: 2042 in the first year, increasing to 2612 in the fourth year.
Location: Wageningen
Duration of the contract: 4 years. The appointment is for a period of four years which period should be finished with a PhD examination. After 18 months, the performance of the candidate will be evaluated to decide whether there is sufficient progress to expect a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the remaining period.
Information
Information about the position at WUR can be obtained from Dr. Geert-Jan de Klerk (+31 317-480797; geertjan.deklerk@wur.nl) and Dr. Frans Krens (+31 317-480962; frans.krens@wur.nl); for the second position at UU from Dr. Ton Peeters (+31 30-2536850; A.J.M.Peeters@uu.nl).
Application
You can apply for this job by sending your application (preferably by e-mail) before 15 January 2009 to Mrs. N.G. Wondergem, P&O PSG, WUR, vacaturemeldingen.psg@wur.nl. or use the mail address: P&O PSG, PO Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands. Do not forget to mention the vacancy number DPW 08-54.
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