PhD Position: Bluetongue virus correlates of protection

Are you eager to start your PhD at the intersection of virology, immunology and vector-borne diseases? In this position, you will investigate how immunity against Bluetongue virus develops and how it can be leveraged to stop transmission. Working on a highly relevant topic following the recent emergence of BTV-3, your research will directly contribute to the development of next-generation vaccines and strategies to protect animal health.

In this lab-oriented project you will investigate correlates of protection of the vector-borne Bluetongue virus (BTV). With the emergence of BTV-3 in 2023 the animal‑health landscape in the Netherlands rapidly reshaped, affecting thousands of ruminants and causing major health and economic losses. While recently approved emergency vaccines helped to reduce disease severity, they don’t yet fully prevent infection or halt transmission—and key gaps remain in our understanding of how immunity, viremia, and vector transmission interact.

To drive the next generation of BTV vaccines, we aim to pinpoint the immune responses that truly protect animals and stop spread. Our central idea: if vaccination can push viremia below the threshold needed for Culicoides midges to become infected, we may block transmission even without sterilizing immunity. Identifying this threshold—and the immunological mechanisms behind it—will enable smarter, more targeted vaccination strategies.

Your responsibilities

You will be responsible for:

• Defining the relationship between infectious bluetongue virus and viral genome in biological samples;
• Identifying the minimal level of bluetongue viremia required for vector-borne transmission;
• Determining the correlates of protection against BTV infection and transmission.

You will work here

You will be working in the arbovirus expertise team in the department of One Health Virology at Wageningen Bioveterinary Research in Lelystad. You will be directly supervised by Dr. Barry Rockx (Expertise team lead Vector-borne viruses), and Dr. Melle Holwerda (Head of the national reference laboratory for Bluetongue), and will work in a multidisciplinary team.

This project offers ample opportunities for local and international collaboration, guaranteeing a dynamic working environment. This project is initiated as part of a public-private partnership between WBVR and multiple sector parties. 

The research in the vector-borne virus team of WBVR focuses on understanding and controlling vector-borne viral diseases of veterinary and public health concern, such as bluetongue, Rift Valley fever, and tick-borne encephalitis. 

The team is specialized in

• diagnostics and surveillance to detect and monitor pathogens;
• studying vector-virus-host interactions to explore how viruses cause disease and spread between vectors (like midges, mosquitoes, and ticks) and vertebrate hosts;
• developing arboviral countermeasures such as vaccines.

Furthermore, experimental data is used in transmission modeling and risk assessments to help predict outbreaks and evaluate the impact of various intervention strategies, aiding in veterinary and public health preparedness and response.

We are looking for a candidate with the following qualities:

• a MSc degree in biology, animal sciences, biomedical sciences or a related discipline;
• strong interest in infectious disease research, vector biology, and host-pathogen interactions;
• broad experience in virological techniques (virus culture, titration and neutralization), (primary) tissue and cell culture, molecular biology (qPCR, reverse genetics) and immunology (FACS, immunoassays, fluorescence microscopy);
• good communicative skills (both oral and written) and a collaborative spirit;
• analytical skills for data interpretation and statistical analysis;
• an Article 9 of the Experiments on Animals Act and experience working with laboratory animals is preferred.

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;
• 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. 

The work location is Houtribweg 39, Lelystad, the Netherlands.

The work will take place partly in buildings with quarantine regulations. In such occasions, contact with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) sensitive animals and poultry production companies is not allowed for three days after work.                                                         

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.

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 this position, please contact Dr. Barry Rockx via email barry.rockx@wur.nl.

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Ine van’t Land, Corporate Recruiter, via recruitment.asg@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 May 18, 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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