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PhD researchers on 'Genotype-specific development of potato plants under combined stress factors' at CropXR

PREpare Overseas

Nov 11, 2023

DEADLINE: December 4, 2023

Do you want to be part of the development of resilient crops that require fewer environmentally-damaging inputs? Then you could be the ideal candidate to join our new, interdisciplinary research institute CropXR!With a budget of 96 million Euro over the next decade, CropXR focuses on creating eXtra Resilient (XR), sustainable, and climate-adaptive crops. By combining plant biology, simulation modelling, and artificial intelligence we aim to develop ‘smart breeding and cultivation’ methods to speed up breeding for complex resilience traits in different growing systems for several crops. This collaborative effort involves four universities (Wageningen University, Utrecht University, Universities of Amsterdam, and TU Delft), numerous companies, and encompasses scientific research, data collection and sharing, education, and practical applications in agriculture and plant breeding.This vacancy is for three 5-year 0.8 fte PhD positions, focusing on resilience of potato to environmental stress. The project involves field experiments to study genotype-specific development under combined stress factors.

  • PhD 1: The PhD candidate will carry out field experiments and use drone data from the field experiments to assess and predict the genotype x stress factors (drought, nitrogen deficiency) interaction effects on crop canopy development and its predictive value for final tuber yield and quality. The aim is to optimize phenotyping protocols for breeders and, in combination with medium-term weather predictions, to create opportunities for in-season crop management and decision support modelling.

  • PhD 2: The PhD candidate will carry out field experiments to characterize genotype-specific plant development under combined water and nitrogen limitation stress, and the effects on tuber yield. Focus will be on aboveground plant traits. Data will be used with physiological modelling tools to define potato ideotypes for stress tolerance, to design phenotyping protocols and recommend improved crop management techniques for optimal plant development, resource use and minimal environmental impact.

  • PhD 3: The PhD candidate will carry out field experiments to quantify genotype-specific plant development under combined water and nitrogen limitation stress, and the effect on various aspects of tuber quality. Focus will be on belowground plant traits. Interactions between management and genotype will be investigated and prediction of tuber quality in crop models will be addressed.

 


The potato project within CropXR employs multiple PhD candidates, including the three recruited through this vacancy. Close collaboration with fellow PhD students and post-docs in Wageningen, Utrecht, and Delft will be essential to achieving the project goals.



As a PhD candidate, you will:

  • execute experimental field trials;

  • analyse and interpret the data relevant to the goal of the PhD position, contributing to the development of resilient potato crops;

  • communicate with experimental research scientists and data and modelling scientists within and beyond CropXR;

  • contribute to the education of BSc and MSc students from different knowledge institutions working with you on the project.


Your qualities

We are looking for three highly motivated and creative candidates to join us in CropXR.You are:

  • a pleasant team player with a pro-active work attitude

  • conceptually strong and skilled in practical experimental and field work, with interests in quantitative modelling, in the areas of plant growth and physiology


You have: 

  • an MSc degree in plant sciences, crop science or a related field

  • experience programming for image analysis (PhD 1), physiological modelling linked to genetics (PhD 2), or analyzing and modelling of quality traits (PhD 3)

  • excellent English language proficiency (CEFR C2 level or more). For more information about this proficiency level, please visit our special language page

  • strong collaborative skills


Experience with plant phenotyping and abiotic stress research is an advantage. However, ifyou feel attracted to the position but are unsure whether you already meet all the criteria, we do encourage you to apply.


We offer you

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

  • sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;

  • working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;

  • the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;

  • 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 € 2.770,- per month rising to € 3.539,- in the fourth year in according to theCollective 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.



More information can be checked on the link:




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Tel: +39-328-432-5348 / Email: info@prepareoverseas.com

Level of Education

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