PhD Insect Virology: viruses manipulation of caterpillar behaviour in a multidim

Many parasites, including viruses, manipulate the behaviour of host organisms to increase their own transmission, linking to the concept of the ‘extended phenotype’. Fascinating examples include behavioural manipulation of caterpillars by baculoviruses, with infected caterpillars expressing hyperactivity as well as climbing to elevated positions on plants just prior to death. These behavioural alterations have a crucial evolutionary benefit to the virus, enhancing its transmission. Until now, parasitic manipulation of host behaviour has been investigated as a bidirectional interaction between the manipulative parasite and the host. 

While the possible influence of the host or parasite microbiome on host behavioural manipulation is starting to be recognized, the influence of the host’s resident virome has so far been ignored. The past decades, evidence has accumulated that insects harbour a wide range of covert virus infections that do not cause any signs of disease. In this project, you will study manipulative parasite-host interactions in a multidimensional context, by investigating how covert virus infections modulate crosstalk between manipulative baculoviruses and their caterpillar host. 

You will start with analysing the phenotype of baculovirus-induced behavioural manipulation across several closely and more distantly related baculoviruses and lepidopteran hosts, and determine the impact of the insect’s virome on the manipulation. Next, you will investigate in detail the molecular mechanisms underlying the manipulation, especially focusing on changes induced in the lepidopteran central nervous system (CNS). You will specifically perform an in-depth analysis of viral CNS invasion and determine localisation of baculoviruses as well as covert virus infections. 

Furthermore, you will validate putative mechanisms by functional analyses of candidate genes and proteins, using a range of techniques including RNAi and CRISPR/Cas9 technology. This research will aid in identifying how virus-induced manipulation has evolved across lepidopterans and identify commonalities and differences in underlying mechanisms, and will also reveal how the behavioural outcome of manipulation is dependent on the context of resident viruses present in the host.

This PhD project is part of a larger Vici project, funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO). As such, you will closely collaborate with another PhD student and a postdoc in this project, working on related questions.

As a PhD candidate you will contribute to fundamental science in the context of insect virology. In addition, you will participate in cursory teaching of the chair group. You will be embedded in the Laboratory of Virology. In addition, you will collaborate with (inter)national colleagues from both in- and outside Wageningen University & Research. 

Your duties and responsibilities include: 

• Designing and executing experiments with insects and viruses, measuring behavioural manipulation;
• Investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying behavioural manipulation using dissections, transcriptome, proteome and small RNA profiling;
• Studying virus invasion of the lepidopteran central nervous system, using GFP-labelled viruses, hybridisation techniques, antibody labelling and microscopy;
• Teaching in courses and supervise BSc and MSc students;
• Writing and presenting research at/in internationally renowned conferences/journals.

You will work here

You will work with in the Insect Virology group, as part of the NWO Vici project ‘Invisible influencers: How hidden virus infections shape insect life’ led by Dr. Vera Ros. The project is aimed at disentangling how the insect’s virome (i.e. the assemblage of viruses) impacts insect immune responses, fitness and behaviour, and thereby influences interactions with and effects of incoming virus infections. 

The Insect Virology group is part of the chair group Laboratory of Virology, and research in Insect Virology focuses on multiple aspects of insect-virus interactions including mechanisms behind viral manipulation of insect behaviour, virus discovery, covert virus infections (i.e. infections without clear symptoms) in insects and the use of viruses for biological control of insect pests. You will be supervised by Dr. Vera Ros (WUR Laboratory of Virology) and Prof. Monique van Oers (chair of the WUR Laboratory of Virology). 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. 

The Laboratory of Virology is part of the Plant Sciences Group of Wageningen University. It is located at the Wageningen Campus in the Radix building. We provide virology teaching at Wageningen University within BSc and MSc programs across various disciplines. The Virology chair group comprises around 35 members, including research/teaching staff, technicians, PhD candidates, postdocs and visiting researchers. Each year, an average of 25 BSc and MSc students undertake their final-year thesis research within Virology. The Virology group conducts fundamental research into plant viruses, insect viruses and arboviruses. Where possible, the knowledge generated is translated into applications aimed at improving food production and human and animal health.

You are an enthusiastic, highly motivated and curiosity-driven person, with a solid background in entomology and molecular biology, and a strong affinity with virology, animal behaviour and neurobiology. You are a driven, eager-to-learn person, strong in analytical and conceptual thinking, and can carry out experiments with precision. You are well able to work independently, but also enjoy working closely together in a multidisciplinary team. 

You also possess: 

• A successfully completed MSc degree in biology or a related field;
• Excellent skills in experiments with insects, preferably with insect behaviour;
• Proven experience with molecular biological techniques;
• Basic knowledge of bioinformatics;
• Ability to work in an international research team in a collaborative spirit;
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken, 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 € 3.204,- per month rising to € 4.051,-  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 Dr. Vera Ros, Associate Professor, via +31-317-484461 or email: vera.ros@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 ):

• Complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages);
• Motivation letter (max. 1 page).

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

You can apply up to and including November 20, 2026. The first interviews are scheduled for the first two weeks of December, 2026.

Additional information form
For this position, you must fill in a mandatory form which will allow us to have a comprehensive view of your qualifications and better assess your fit for it. You can access the form using the link below:

PhD Insect Virology: viruses manipulation of caterpillar behaviour multidimensional context – Fill out form

Your prompt response will ensure that your application continues to move forward in the evaluation process. We assure you that the information provided will be kept confidential and used solely for this application process.

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

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