You will be responsible for planning, carrying out and analysing experiments performed in the lab, greenhouse and growth chambers. These experiments include making mutants of Fusarium oxysporum, pathogenicity assays, fluorescence microscopy and plant (root) transformation. Besides conducting research and reporting your results in various gatherings, you will teach and guide BSc and MSc students.

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 project consortium;
• present your work at (inter)national scientific meetings and 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.

• have a master’s degree in molecular biology, microbiology, or experimental plant science by the start of your appointment;
• are passionate about science and have a particular interest in plant-microbe interactions;
• 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.

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.