Postdoc: Evolution of Taste Receptors in Specialist Insect–Plant Interactions

Are you a highly motivated and curious Post-doc with a strong interest in the evolution of sensory systems and how these sensory adaptations influence the coevolution of animals and plants? Do you want to explore how butterflies recognize and adapt to their host plants, and to contribute to cutting-edge research at the intersection of evolutionary biology and sensory ecology? Then we at Wageningen University & Research have an exciting opportunity for you.

In this Post-doc project, you will unravel the function of butterfly taste receptor neurons by determining to which plant compounds they respond and what role they play during the coevolution of butterflies and their host plants, using a novel molecular approach. Insects and plants are intertwined in an intimate coevolutionary arms race in which plants produce toxic defence compounds and insect herbivores in turn evolved specific detoxification mechanisms. In parallel to these feeding adaptations, insects also evolved specific detection mechanisms for those plants to which they have become adapted, to select suitable plants for feeding or for laying their eggs.

We will use the model system of the monarch butterflies, Danaus plexippus. These insects lay their eggs almost exclusively on plants containing cardenolides, toxic compounds to which these insects have specifically adapted. We will express the candidate receptor genes in a cell-based assay to test their responses in vitro. Through these analysis, we will not only gain information about the compounds these receptors detect, but also on their ecological and evolutionary relevance. In addition, we will create mutant butterflies lacking the most relevant candidate receptor genes using Crispr/Cas9, to unravel the role of different receptors and taste neurons during host-plant recognition. Combined, these results will provide a unique insight into the sensory mechanisms underlying the coevolution of insects and plants, which is a major driving factor of biodiversity and has shaped many of today’s terrestrial (agro-) ecosystems.

As a Post-doc, you will contribute to fundamental research in the context of insect-plant coevolution. You will be embedded in a diverse group of international scientists and collaborate with colleagues from both in- and outside Wageningen University & Research. You will be involved in the supervision of PhD-candidates as well as MSc- and BSc-students, and assist in teaching courses.

You will work here
The research is embedded within the Laboratory of Entomology Lab of Entomology - WUR, which is led by Prof. Bregje Wertheim (Bregje Wertheim - Wageningen University & Research). You will be co-supervised by Dr. Alexander Haverkamp (Alexander Haverkamp - Wageningen University & Research). In addition, you will also be embedded in the PE&RC graduate school (Home | PE&RC), which will allow you to follow a wide variety of training courses and provide support during your academic journey.

This position is part of the Academic Career Framework (ACF) at Wageningen University & Research.

Analist

Have you completed a vocational or higher vocational education programme and are you ready for a new challenge as a bacteriological animal disease analyst in an inspiring and dynamic environment? Would you like to develop your skills in virological diagnostics? But also take on the challenge of developing your skills in bacteriological diagnostics? At Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) in Lelystad, we are looking for an enthusiastic analyst to join our close-knit team.

As an analyst at DCO, you will work with your colleagues to carry out diagnostics on large numbers of samples to screen for animal diseases such as Avian Influenza (AI), Classical Swine Fever (CSF) and Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA). You will be involved in a wide range of serological tests, such as ELISA, virus neutralisation tests (VNTs), haemagglutination tests and virus isolations, which are carried out in both BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories. For a large proportion of these tests, multiple cell lines are maintained in culture. As these are mostly classical serological tests, the majority of the tests are carried out manually. In addition, you may be deployed flexibly to other departments within WBVR, or asked to assist during outbreaks of animal diseases.

Your duties and responsibilities as an Analyst are:

• carrying out diagnostic analyses on large numbers of samples to detect animal diseases (including AI, KVP and EIA);
• carrying out standard virological techniques, including virus neutralisation tests (VNTs), haemagglutination tests and virus isolations;
• performing ELISA assays targeting various viruses and bacteria;
• working in both BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratory environments in accordance with applicable safety and quality guidelines;
• establishing, maintaining and monitoring various cell lines for virological research;
• manually performing laboratory tests with a high degree of accuracy and care;
• interpreting and recording test results in accordance with established protocols;
• collaborating with fellow analysts within a team-oriented working environment;
• flexible deployment to other departments within WBVR depending on operational needs;
• contributing to the scaling up of diagnostic activities during outbreaks of animal diseases;
• actively contributing to quality assurance and the continuous improvement of work processes.

Your team
The work will take place in buildings that remain subject to additional quarantine restrictions after they have been vacated (in accordance with EU regulations). This means that it is not permitted to keep cloven-hoofed animals. Furthermore, for 72 hours following the work, it is not permitted to have contact with these animals or to visit poultry production facilities.

You will work here
Wageningen Bioveterinary Research
The diagnostic laboratories of Wageningen Bioveterinary Research in Lelystad are responsible for diagnostic testing in the context of monitoring and suspected cases of notifiable viral and bacterial animal diseases, as well as for carrying out export diagnostics. Quality is paramount in the performance of diagnostic testing. In addition to carrying out diagnostics, new tests are developed, implemented and validated. With an enthusiastic team of well-trained analysts, the work is largely carried out in the high-containment unit.

You will be working alongside the ELISA and VSL teams, among others. These consist of twelve colleagues. But of course, you will also be in contact with the other laboratories in the high-containment unit. The Diagnostics and Crisis Management Department comprises 59 staff members.

Project Controller

Would you like to work as a Project Controller on the greenest campus in the Netherlands and contribute to some of today’s most pressing societal challenges? Are you financially savvy, analytical, and detail-oriented? Are you looking for a challenging role that offers plenty of opportunities for professional growth? Then read on and apply!

The Wageningen Environmental Sciences Group (ESG) is looking for a Project Controller to strengthen its Finance & Control (F&C) team.

As a Project Controller, you will become part of an enthusiastic Finance & Control department of approximately 40 FTE. The team offers an open, driven, and collaborative working environment. In addition to the Project Control team, the department also includes Financial Administration, Business Control, and Chair Group Administration teams.

In this role, you will work closely with colleagues on a wide range of project control topics and help safeguard processes to minimize financial and operational risks.

Your responsibilities
As a Project Controller, you will:

• Be responsible for the financial management of a diverse portfolio of research projects;
• Be involved in all phases of the project lifecycle, from proposal and acquisition through to financial closure;
• Act as the financial point of contact for project leaders, providing both solicited and unsolicited advice;
• Be responsible for project result determination and reporting for monthly and annual financial reporting purposes, including internal monitoring and external reporting such as the annual accounts;
• Contribute to identifying, monitoring, and managing project risks and support the implementation of internal control measures.

You will work independently with a high level of responsibility while collaborating closely with your Finance & Control colleagues.

As a Project Controller at ESG, you will have the opportunity to further develop your expertise while making a meaningful contribution to research and innovation addressing some of society’s most important challenges

Business Controller

Would you like to contribute directly to world-leading research in the plant sciences as a Business Controller? At Plant Sciences Group (PSG), you will act as the financial sparring partner for multiple research groups and help turn complex plans into financially viable realities.

As a Business Controller at PSG, you will have end-to-end responsibility for the financial management of several chair groups. PSG is distinguished by its advanced research facilities, including specialized greenhouses, measurement systems, and research infrastructure that are rarely found elsewhere. This complexity makes your role particularly challenging: you understand the financial implications of these facilities and support management in making well-informed decisions. You thrive at the intersection of science and business operations and can translate financial insights into accessible information for colleagues from diverse professional backgrounds.

Your role
As a Business Controller, you will play a key role in the financial management and control of our organization. You will develop robust financial forecasts and project estimates, monitor budgets, and proactively advise on risks, opportunities, and optimization initiatives. Based on financial analyses and management information, you will advise managers and directors on strategic financial decisions.

You are comfortable moving between numbers and content, and you have the ability to make complex financial issues understandable and relevant to non-financial stakeholders. Through your insights and guidance, you help managers make better-informed decisions. In addition, you will contribute to the ongoing professionalization of the Finance & Control function within PSG.

Your responsibilities

• Advise at a strategic level and connect financial decision-making with PSG’s long-term objectives and strategy;
• Develop multi-year budgets, forecasts, and scenarios, and support decision-making through analyses and business cases;
• Advise on financial risks and opportunities, including those related to the utilization and funding of advanced research facilities;
• Contribute to cost price calculations for rate setting and external audits;
• Assess investments, major grant applications, and other financing-related proposals;
• Translate financial and operational data into clear reports, dashboards, and actionable insights;
• Collaborate closely with fellow Business Controllers and contribute to knowledge sharing and continuous improvement within the team.

About your working environment
The Finance & Control department acts as the business partner for Plant Sciences Group and is committed to quality, integrity, and excellent service. We achieve this by providing accurate, reliable, and integrated financial information and advice, thereby actively contributing to excellence in education, research, and operations.

The Finance & Control team of Plant Sciences Group consists of approximately 35 finance professionals and is organized into two teams: Business Control and Project Control. You will work closely with fellow Business Controllers, each responsible for a portfolio of chair groups and research units. Together, you share responsibility for the financial management and internal processes of PSG while contributing to broader developments across Wageningen University & Research.

Analist

Heb jij een afgeronde MLO of HLO opleiding en ben je toe aan een nieuwe uitdaging als analist bacteriologische dierziekten in een inspirerende en dynamische omgeving? Wil jij jezelf ontwikkelen in virologische diagnostiek? Maar ook de uitdaging krijgen om je te ontwikkelen in bacteriologische diagnostiek? Bij Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) in Lelystad, zoeken we een enthousiaste analist die ons hechte team komt versterken.

Als analist bij DCO voer je samen met je collega’s diagnostiek uit op grote aantallen monsters om deze te screenen op dierziekten zoals Aviaire Influenza (AI), klassieke varkenspest KVP) en Equine infectieuze anemie (EIA). Je wordt ingezet op een breed aantal serologische testen zoals ELISA, virus neutralisatie testen (VNT’s), hemagglutinatie testen en virus isolaties, die worden uitgevoerd op zowel BSL-2 als BSL-3 laboratoria. Voor een groot deel van deze testen worden meerdere cellijnen in kweek gehouden. Omdat het veelal klassiek serologische testen betreft, wordt het grootste gedeelte van de testen met de hand ingezet. Daarnaast kun je flexibel ingezet worden op andere afdelingen binnen WBVR, of gevraagd worden bij te springen tijdens uitbraken van dierziekten.

Jouw taken en verantwoordelijkheden als Analist zijn:

• uitvoeren van diagnostische analyses op grote aantallen monsters gericht op het opsporen van dierziekten (o.a. AI, KVP en EIA;
• uitvoeren van klassiek virologische technieken, waaronder virusneutralisatietesten (VNT’s), hemagglutinatietesten en virusisolaties;
• uitvoeren van ELISA-bepalingen gericht op verschillende virussen en bacteriën;
• werken in zowel BSL-2- als BSL-3-laboratoriumomgevingen volgens geldende veiligheids- en kwaliteitsrichtlijnen;
• opzetten, onderhouden en monitoren van diverse cellijnen voor virologisch onderzoek;
• handmatig uitvoeren van laboratoriumtesten met hoge mate van nauwkeurigheid en zorgvuldigheid;
• interpreteren en registreren van testresultaten conform vastgestelde protocollen;
• samenwerken met collega-analisten binnen een teamgerichte werkomgeving;
• flexibel inzetbaar op andere afdelingen binnen WBVR afhankelijk van de operationele behoefte;
• bijdragen aan opschaling van diagnostische activiteiten tijdens uitbraken van dierziekten;
• actief bijdragen aan kwaliteitsbewaking en continue verbetering van werkprocessen.

Jouw team
De werkzaamheden zullen plaatsvinden in gebouwen waarvoor na het verlaten nog een aanvullende quarantainerestrictie geldt (op basis van EU-regelgeving). Dit houdt in dat het niet is toegestaan om evenhoevige dieren te houden. Ook is het gedurende 72 uur na de werkzaamheden niet toegestaan contact te hebben met deze dieren en pluimveeproductiebedrijven te bezoeken.

Hier ga je werken
Wageningen Bioveterinary Research
De diagnostische laboratoria van Wageningen Bioveterinary Research in Lelystad zijn verantwoordelijk voor de diagnostiek in het kader van monitoring en verdenkingen van aangifteplichtige virale en bacteriële dierziekten en het uitvoeren van exportdiagnostiek. Bij het uitvoeren van diagnostiek staat kwaliteit centraal. Naast het uitvoeren van diagnostiek worden nieuwe testen ontwikkeld, geïmplementeerd en gevalideerd. Met een enthousiast team van goed opgeleide analisten worden de werkzaamheden grotendeels uitgevoerd in de high-containment unit.
Jij gaat onder andere samenwerken in het ELISA en VSL-team. Deze bestaan uit twaalf collega’s. Maar natuurlijk heb je ook contact met de andere laboratoria in de high containment. De afdeling diagnostiek en crisisorganisatie bestaat uit 59 medewerkers.