PhD position Biodiversity-positive cropping systems for protein crops

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to investigate how quinoa, white lupin and/or aardaker (Lathyrus tuberosus) contribute to ecosystem services in cropping systems. The PhD position will focus on generating knowledge on the ecological functions of these novel protein crops and understanding plant biotic interactions that underlie sustainable and biodiversity-positive cropping systems. Field trials at research stations, and potentially on-farm, will generate actionable data to support farmers in making the transition towards more sustainable farming practices and in facilitating the wider adoption of these novel protein crops.

Your role

• Conduct field experiments and biodiversity monitoring to study how quinoa, white lupin, and aardaker influence above- and belowground biotic communities and ecosystem services.
• Investigate plant-plant interactions in natural and agro-ecosystems to gain insights into communal dynamics, companion effects, and evolutionary strategies.
• Engage with farmers to understand current cropping systems and factors influencing the adoption of novel protein crops.
• Identify ecological patterns and companion crops that support ecosystem services such as disease suppression, soil health, and nutrient cycling.
• Write and publish your research in leading scientific journals and communicate your findings through your PhD thesis and broader societal outreach.

You will work here
This research is embedded within three research groups: the Biosystematics Group (BIS), the Centre for Crop Systems Analysis (CSA), and the Plant Production Systems Group (PPS) with supervision by Dr. Casper Quist/Dr. Klaas Bouwmeester, Prof. Jonne Rodenburg, Dr. Paul Ravensbergen, respectively. The Biosystematics Group applies evolutionary and biodiversity knowledge to enhance crops and (agro-)ecosystems through comparative biology approaches. The Centre for Crop Systems Analysis contributes to the improvement and innovation of crop production by integrating ecological understanding of crops and weeds across multiple levels. The Plant Production Systems Group combines production ecological theory with empirical knowledge to provide a better understanding of sustainability of farming systems around the world.

This NWA-funded PhD position is part of the REAP2SOW programme, a national collaboration between Wageningen University & Research, Utrecht University, Leiden University, the University of Twente, and the University of Groningen, together with partners across the agri-food sector. REAP2SOW addresses the urgent challenge of transitioning to a sustainable, plant-based protein system by 2050, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture and strengthen food security in the face of climate change and increasing weather extremes that affect ecosystem functioning. The programme brings together interdisciplinary expertise spanning natural, social, and technical sciences.

Within REAP2SOW, our work package, comprising two PhD projects, will focus on designing resilient, sustainable and biodiversity-positive cropping systems for protein crops. This work package closely collaborates with other REAP2SOW WPs addressing soil health, plant physiology, and crop breeding, ensuring strong integration across disciplines and scales. The advertised position will adopt a “learning from nature” approach to explore how novel protein crops and their close relatives interact with neighbouring plants and the wider ecosystem, translating these insights into biodiversity-positive cropping strategies. The second PhD position within this work package will focus on ‘learning from farmers’. Together, these complementary perspectives will contribute to an integrated, system-level approach for developing future-proof protein cropping systems.

Two PhD positions on plant stress physiology, nitrogen and photosynthesis

Do you want to contribute to the protein transition? Are you interested in understanding how novel protein crops respond to abiotic stress? Then one of these 2 PhD positions within the REAP2SOW programme might be suited for you!

We are looking for two enthusiastic and motivated PhD candidates to study (PhD1) abiotic signals that regulate below‑ground development and (PhD2) above-ground responses of to stress and source–sink relationships of three novel protein crops — quinoa, white lupin and tuberous pea (a.k.a. aardaker, Lathyrus tuberosus). The research will focus on how temperature and water stress affect nitrogen acquisition, photosynthesis, root development and the allocation of carbon and nitrogen between source and sink tissues.

Your role

PhD1:

• Together with other project members you will design and execute controlled-environment experiments, including targeted phenotyping of roots, nodules, and tubers, using reference genotypes and by manipulating abiotic factors (e.g. temperature, water, N).
• You will conduct molecular and cellular analyses using histology, microscopy, single-cell and bulk transcriptomics, mutant screens and transformation approaches to identify signalling pathways and regulatory components.
• You will analyze data and integrate multi-modal datasets by applying quantitative/statistical and bioinformatics skills.
• 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:

• Together with other project members you will design and execute controlled-environment experiments using reference genotypes and by manipulating abiotic factors (e.g. temperature, water, N).
• You will collect physiological and whole-plant measurements including gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, optical spectroscopy, and stable isotope labelling to quantify C and N fixation, uptake, and allocation.
• You will analyze data and integrate multi-modal datasets by applying quantitative/statistical skills.
• 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.

You will work here
This research is embedded within four research groups, at Wageningen University and Utrecht University: the Centre for Crop Systems Analysis (WU-CSA), the Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Biology (WU-CDB), the Plant Stress Resilience research group (PSR-UU) and the Experimental and Computational Plant Development research group (ECPD-UU). Supervision will be by Prof. Jochem Evers (WU-CSA), Dr. Steven Driever (WU-CSA), Prof. Viola Willemsen (WU-CDB), Dr. Wouter Kohlen (WU-CDB), Dr. Martijn van Zanten (PSR-UU) and Dr. Kaisa Kajala (ECPD-UU).

These NWA-funded PhD positions are part of the REAP2SOW programme, a national collaboration between Wageningen University & Research, Utrecht University, Leiden University, the University of Twente, and the University of Groningen, together with partners across the agri-food sector. REAP2SOW addresses the urgent challenge of transitioning to a sustainable, plant-based protein system by 2050, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture and strengthen food security in the face of climate change and increasing weather extremes that affect ecosystem functioning. The programme brings together interdisciplinary expertise spanning natural, social, and technical sciences.

Within REAP2SOW, our work package investigates below-ground development, nitrogen acquisition, and above-ground carbon fixation in quinoa, white lupin, and aardaker, focusing on root traits, nodules, and tuber development to assess nutrient-use efficiency. It tests how abiotic stresses—especially high temperature and fluctuating water availability—affect photosynthesis, nitrogen uptake, and carbon–nitrogen allocation using advanced tools such as single-cell transcriptomics, root imaging, isotope tracing, gas-exchange, and leaf spectroscopy. The projects aim to uncover physiological processes, signalling pathways and traits that improve crop resilience. This work package closely collaborates with other REAP2SOW WPs addressing nutrient efficiency, and nutritional quality to guide genotype selection under stress.

Two PhD Positions in Crop Genetics and Phenotyping for Future Protein Crops

Do you want to help shape the future of sustainable protein crops in the Netherlands? Are you excited about combining plant physiology, genetics, and cutting-edge phenotyping to advance the protein transition? Then one of these two PhD positions within the REAP2SOW programme may be the perfect fit for you!

We are looking for two motivated PhD candidates who will work together on understanding and improving emerging Dutch protein crops quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), white lupin (Lupinus albus), and the historic tuber crop aardaker (Lathyrus tuberosus). One PhD (PhD1) will focus on uncovering the fundamental biology, resilience, and genetic potential of aardaker, creating the foundations for its future use in Dutch food systems. The second PhD (PhD2) will concentrate on high-throughput phenotyping and bioinformatics across the three crops (with a focus on quinoa and lupin), linking genotype to phenotype to identify key traits for future-proof, climate-resilient crop ideotypes. Together, both positions contribute to designing the next generation of sustainable protein crops and advancing the national protein transition.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

PhD1: Aardaker Physiology & Genetics

• Design and conduct experiments to investigate aardaker growth, development, and environmental responses under controlled and field conditions.
• Develop speed-breeding protocols and plant resilience assays, and collaborate with soil, drought, and food-quality teams to assess performance and (anti)nutritional factors.
• Generate and analyse genetic resources (e.g multiparent mapping population) to dissect the genetic architecture of key traits.
• Gather and integrate physiological measurements with -omics datasets using quantitative and bioinformatic approaches, and contribute to joint trait-mapping efforts.
• Publish your findings in scientific journals, collaborate across REAP2SOW, and communicate your results in your PhD thesis and broader outreach activities.

PhD2 - Phenotyping, Bioinformatics & Ideotype Design

• Design and implement high-throughput phenotyping pipelines (above- and below-ground) to quantify vigor, nutrient use, and stress responses in quinoa, white lupin, that could be implemented in aardaker.
• Combine greenhouse, growth chamber, and field measurements to identify traits underpinning early establishment, nutrient acquisition, and productivity.
• Perform genetic association analyses to link phenotypic variation with genomic diversity.
• Work closely with drought, photosynthesis, and field teams to identify scalable proxy traits and integrate multi-environment phenotyping datasets.
• Publish your findings in scientific journals, collaborate across REAP2SOW, and communicate your results in your PhD thesis and broader outreach activities.

You will work here
The research is embedded within the Wageningen University Department of Plant Breeding (WU-PBR) with collaboration from Maastricht University chair of Plant Functional Genomics (UM-PFG), Wageningen Plant Research (WPR), and the Wageningen University Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Biology (WU-CDB). Supervision of PhD1 will led by Dr. Chris Maliepaard (WU-PBR), Dr. Peter Bourke (WU-PBR), and Dr. Andries Temme (WPR). Supervision of Phd2 will be led by by Prof. Luisa Trindade (WU-PBR), Prof. Wim Vriezen (UM-PFG), Dr. Wouter Kohlen (WU-CDB, and Dr. Andries Temme (WPR).

These NWA-funded PhD positions are part of the REAP2SOW programme, a national collaboration between Wageningen University & Research, Utrecht University, Leiden University, the University of Twente, and the University of Groningen, together with partners across the agri-food sector. REAP2SOW addresses the urgent challenge of transitioning to a sustainable, plant-based protein system by 2050, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture and strengthen food security in the face of climate change and increasing weather extremes that affect ecosystem functioning. The programme brings together interdisciplinary expertise spanning natural, social, and technical sciences.

Within REAP2SOW, our work package focuses on the genetic and physiological foundations of three emerging Dutch protein crops, quinoa, white lupin, and aardaker. It aims to identify the heritable traits and genomic factors that drive early vigor, tuber formation, nutrient acquisition, resilience to abiotic stress, and protein quality. The work integrates controlled-environment experiments with high-throughput phenotyping, and a variety of genomic resources to dissect the genetic architecture of performance and (anti)nutritional traits. By linking genotype to phenotype, our work package provides the trait insights and genetic understanding needed to guide crop improvement, support breeding strategies, and design resilient ideotypes for future Dutch protein landscapes.

PhD position Designing cropping systems with novel protein crops

Do you want to contribute to the protein transition? Are you interested in understanding how novel protein crops can be (re)integrated into existing farming systems? Then this PhD position within the REAP2SOW programme might be for you!

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to investigate how current farming systems can be diversified with quinoa, white lupin and/or aardaker (Lathyrus tuberosus) as novel protein crops. The PhD position will focus on developing knowledge of cropping strategies that provide farmers with practical insights into integrating these protein crops into existing or novel rotations, thereby enhancing resilience and sustainability of biodiversity-positive farming systems. Field trials at research stations, and potentially on-farm, will generate actionable data to support farmers in making the transition towards more sustainable farming practices and in facilitating the wider adoption of these novel protein crops.

Your role

• Together with other project members, design and execute experiments on the agronomic performance and identification of biotic and/or abiotic production constraints of one or more of these protein crops.
• Interact with farmers to collect insights on current cropping systems and factors affecting the adoption of novel protein crops.
• Design diversified, protein-rich cropping systems that improve ecosystem services while minimizing negative impacts on biodiversity and the environment.
• Develop and parameterize a crop growth model for novel protein crops to predict yield.
• Write and publish your research in leading scientific journals and communicate your findings through your PhD thesis and broader societal outreach.

You will work here
This research is embedded within three research groups: the Centre for Crop Systems Analysis (CSA), the Plant Production Systems Group (PPS) and the Biosystematics Group (BIS), with supervision by Prof. Jonne Rodenburg, Dr. Paul Ravensbergen, and Dr. Klaas Bouwmeester, respectively. The Centre for Crop Systems Analysis contributes to the improvement and innovation of crop production based on crop and weed ecological insights and at various levels of integration: from genotypes to cropping systems and agro-ecosystems. The Plant Production Systems Group combines production ecological theory with empirical knowledge to provide a better understanding of sustainability of farming systems around the world. The Biosystematics Group applies fundamental knowledge on evolution and biodiversity to improve crops and (agro-)ecosystems.

This NWA-funded PhD position is part of the REAP2SOW programme, a national collaboration between Wageningen University & Research, Utrecht University, Leiden University, the University of Twente, and the University of Groningen, together with partners across the agri-food sector. REAP2SOW addresses the urgent challenge of transitioning to a sustainable, plant-based protein system by 2050, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture and strengthen food security in the face of climate change and increasing weather extremes that affect ecosystem functioning. The programme brings together interdisciplinary expertise spanning natural, social, and technical sciences.

Within REAP2SOW, our work package, comprising two PhD projects, will focus on designing resilient, sustainable and biodiversity-positive cropping systems for protein crops. This work package closely collaborates with other REAP2SOW WPs addressing soil health, plant physiology, and crop breeding, ensuring strong integration across disciplines and scales. The advertised position will adopt a ‘learning from farmers’ approach to explore how novel protein crops can effectively be integrated in existing crop production systems from an agronomic perspective. The second PhD position within this work package will focus on ‘learning from nature’. Together, these complementary perspectives will contribute to an integrated, system-level approach for developing future-proof protein cropping systems.

Material transfer specialist

Do you have experience in plant biotechnology and an affinity with legislation and regulations?
Do you enjoy advising researchers?
Then you may be the material transfer specialist we are looking for!

When exchanging biological research materials with other organisations, the Plant Sciences Group (PSG) has to deal with legislation relating to genetic resources (ABS/Nagoya), plant health (Plant Health Directive) and endangered species (CITES).

As a material transfer specialist, you support our researchers in obtaining biological materials correctly or sharing them with third parties. You do not do this alone, but together with your colleagues from the Arbo, Environment & Safety (AMV) team. During this process, you will also maintain contacts with external bodies such as the NVWA, NAK Horticulture, or ABS/Nagoya contact points in various countries.

In summary, your tasks and responsibilities as a material transfer specialist are:

• Advising researchers on the exchange of biological materials.
• Assessing whether material transfer applications comply with relevant legislation.
• Organising the required (transport) documentation to enable transfers.
• Being in direct contact with researchers and regulatory authorities.
• Providing information on the import, export and transport of biological materials, and contributing ideas on how to optimise the material transfer process.

Your team
Within our AMV team, you will have six permanent colleagues (senior safety specialists, biological safety officers, a quality manager, and coordinators for genetic resources and quarantine materials). We work closely together in a positive atmosphere. The team has strong relationships with management and other staff departments, research groups, the Works Council, and experts in the other WUR Sciences Groups. We operate in an inspiring scientific environment that presents a wide variety of (safety-related) challenges. This means you learn something new every day and continue to encounter new challenges.