PhD: Evolution of novel female sexual differentiation genes in parasitoid wasps

Are you a curious PhD candidate with a strong motivation for understanding the evolution of sex determination and sexual differentiation in insects? Are you interested in unravelling the function of novel genes using RNA interference and CRISPR/Cas9 to understand the molecular basis of female sexual differentiation and its evolution? Then we have an exciting evolutionary developmental project waiting for you.

Understanding insect sex determination mechanisms is important for explaining how insect diversity has evolved and for developing new control methods for agriculturally and medically relevant insect species. However, most of our knowledge still relies on the well-studied Drosophila melanogaster, which alone does not represent the full diversity of insects. Oddly, in many insects we have no clue what genes are required for the regulation of female specific traits. Therefore, this PhD project aims to identify and characterise novel genes involved in female differentiation, with a focus on parasitoid wasp species (Hymenoptera).

First, you will design and conduct functional analyses (including bioassays) to characterise the function of candidate genes during early embryogenesis, as well as their effects on adult dimorphic phenotypic and behavioural traits, using RNA interference (knockdown) and CRISPR/Cas9 (knockout) approaches. For this, you will use the parasitoid wasp, Nasonia vitripennis and its close relatives Muscidifurax raptorellus and Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae. These 2 mm large wasps lay their eggs in the pupae of flies from which different developmental stages can be collected.

Then, you will perform an in-depth in silico analysis of published genomic and transcriptomic datasets to explore the phylogenetic distribution of these genes across a wide range of insect species, examining the presence of homologs and their sequence and structural conservation. Combined, this project will provide a unique insight in the evolution of sexual differentiation regulators in insects.

This PhD project is part of a larger VICI project, funded by NWO. As such, you will closely collaborate with two other PhD student and Postdoc in the team, working on related questions.

As a PhD candidate you will contribute to fundamental science in the context of insect evolutionary developmental biology. In addition, you will participate in cursory teaching of the chairgroup. You will be embedded in the Laboratory of Entomology, a diverse group of international scientists, and collaborate with (inter)national colleagues from both in- and outside Wageningen University & Research. 

Your duties and responsibilities include: 

• Designing and executing experiments with insects, using microinjection, performing dissections, observing morphological and behavioural abberations.
• Analysing complex datasets involving genomics, transcriptomics and phylogenetics.
• Genetically modify wasps using CRISPR/Cas9.
• Teaching in courses and supervise BSc and MSc students.
• Writing and presenting research at/in internationally renowned conferences/journals .

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  supervised by Dr. Eveline Verhulst (Eveline Verhulst - Wageningen University & Research) and Dr. Julien Rougeot (Julien Rougeot - 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 will provide support during your academic journey. 

For this project we are looking for an enthusiastic, highly motivated and curious PhD student in the field of molecular biology with an interest in insect morphology, development and behaviour. 

You have or are: 

• A successfully completed MSc degree in biology or biotechnology.
• A team-oriented person who enjoys working closely together in a multidisciplinary team in a collaborative spitit, but also enjoys working individually.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques and affinity with bioinformatics.
• Affinity with small insects, microinjections, microdissections.
• Excellent communication skills in English and experience with scientific writing.

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.

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

• Partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• 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 year-end 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 € 3.059,- per month rising to € 3.881,-  in the fourth year in according to the Collective 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. 

We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. 

Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. 

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. 

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account, dual career programs or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

For more information about the position, please contact Eveline Verhulst, Associate professor and project lead, via email: eveline.verhulst@wur.nl .
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Noorien Abbas, Corporate Recruiter, via vacaturemeldingen.psg@wur.nl .

Ready to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

To apply, please send the following documents (max. 3 pages in total for both documents):

• Complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae;
• Motivation letter.

The maximum length of the documents must not exceed 3 pages. If it exceeds, applications will not be considered. Additional files such as grades and transcripts are not required during this stage and will not be considered.

You can apply up to and including Wednesday 20 May 2026. The first interviews are scheduled for Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 June 2026.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

​The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

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