PhD Nematology
Wageningen, (Gelderland) , 38 hours per week
Plant Sciences, chair group Nematology
Job description
In a concerted action, two PhD students and a post-doc will study how plants, in particular genetically modified (GM) plants, can change their own soil ecosystem. Plants can have profound effects on soil organisms, because the great majority of carbon input in soils originates from living plants (root exudates) and from dead plant material. It needs to be tested if GM plants have such influence too, and if yes, if this influence is different from non-GM plants. Crops with e.g. GM-increased
resistance against pathogens and herbivores, can have side-effects on beneficial rhizosphere- inhabiting organisms; residues of crops with GM-altered tissue composition may have different decomposition rates, and thereby affect soil decomposer communities. Given the importance of the soil community for soil carbon and nitrogen cycles, effects of GM plants on non-target soil organisms and processes have to be evaluated properly prior to their admission. The research program aims to deliver a tool for risk assessment of GM plants based on soil nematodes that will enable evaluation of risks of these plants for soil fertility functions.
For the PhD Nematology we are looking for a molecular ecologist. You are asked to turn a prototype of a DNA barcode-based nematode community analysis tool into a user friendly device, and should provide guidelines to interpret the observed changes. Nematodes are a species-rich soil fauna group with great bioindicator potential. Initially, we will study non-GM Brassica species releasing different levels of glucosinolates - natural components with a broad spectrum effect on soil life. The
effects of various Brassica cultivars on nematodes communities and C and N dynamics in soil will be studied. Next, the PhD will use quantitative PCR to determine whether GM crops have qualitative or quantitative effects on nematodes rhizosphere communities. This will be used to develop an Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) guidance for GM crops.
Requirements
Required education/skills: University Graduate
We are looking for a candidate with an MSc degree in a relevant field who feels challenged by the aims of this project and has a strong drive for experimental research.
Further requirements include:
- a good command of written and spoken English
- excellent writing and presentation skills
- proven ability to organize laboratory- and/or field experiments
- experience in molecular ecology / biology. Knowledge in one or more of the following fields would be appreciated: nematology, plant pathology, soil ecology or ecological risk assessment.
Within the same program a PhD Soil Quality will link plant-induced effects on soil fertility to nematode community structure. A post doc at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) is responsible for implementation of the scientific results in a practical ERA guidance.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s) :
- Post-doctorates( Scientific discipline: Agriculture)
Organization
Plant Sciences, chair group Nematology
The work will be carried out at the Laboratory of Nematology at the Wageningen University. The Laboratory has already conducted previous studies on mapping, cloning and characterizing disease resistance genes from plants. Excellent facilities exist for studying protein-protein interactions and doing bioinformatics.
Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University. URL: http://www.nem. wur.nl/UK/
Conditions of employment
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: year initially with a possibility of extension to 4 years.
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
Full time positions for a period of one year initially with a possibility of extension to 4 years. Gross salary will be 2.000 per month in the first year rising to 2.558 per month in the fourth year, according to the collective labor agreement of the VNSU.
Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:
Dr.ir. Hans Helder
Telephone number: 31 317483136
E-mail address: hans.helder@ wur.nl
Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links:
* About the organization
Application
You can apply for this job before 10-04-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:
Plant Sciences Group
Department Personnel and Organization
D. Wissink
P.O. Box 16
6700 AA Wageningen
The Netherlands
E-mail: vacaturemeldingen. psg@wur.nl
When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber AT; DPW 08-09.
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