Post Doc: Aphid-microbiome Interactions

As postdoc aphid-microbiome interactions at the Lab. of Entomology, you will be responsible for setting up methodologies and pipelines for microbiome analyses of aphids, converting complex data into comprehensive graphs and in building hypotheses on how the microbiome affects aphid physiology and behavior. The hypotheses will then be tested in bioassays and electrical penetration graph experiments with aphids, plants and microbial inoculants.

You will support the team in unraveling what role the microbiome plays in the broader context of aphid-plant interactions.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• Setting up and executing bioassays with aphids, plants and microorganisms
• Analyzing 16S/ITS amplicon sequencing data
• Validating implications of the microbiome on aphid physiology and behavior

Your team
You will work in an international, multidisciplinary team of colleagues at the Lab. of Entomology and the Lab. of Virology in Wageningen.

You will work here
The Laboratory of Entomology focusses on the biology of insects with an emphasis on understanding ecological aspects in the context of the underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms. The Laboratory of Entomology consists of a team of ambitious scientists and lecturers. The education programme focusses on BSc, MSc and PhD levels and includes ecological, physiological and molecular aspects. You will work in close collaboration with the Laboratory of Virology, which  focuses on plant viruses, arboviruses and insect viruses, aiming to unravel the molecular and ecological mechanisms underlying virus-host and virus-vector interactions.

You have a thorough understanding of the biology of aphids, plants, and their microbiome. You are fluent in amplicon analysis and have a record in converting complex data into comprehensive graphics. You have experience with the interpretation of microbiome data and its implications for aphid-plant interactions.

You also possess:

• A PhD in aphid-plant-microbiome interactions
• Experience with electrical penetration graph recording of aphid behavior
• Experience with setting up greenhouse bioassays with aphids and microbial inoculants
• Experience with analyzing large amplicon data sets
• Experience with working in a multidisciplinary consortium

In our international working environment, there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about language level C1 .

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

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and 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 of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between € 3,546.- and € 5,538.- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10). We offer you a temporary contract for the duration of 10 months for 0,8 fte. The position will be from 15 February till 15 December 2026Of course, we are happy to have a conversation with you if you have any questions about this.

Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.

Coming from abroad
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.

Contact information

For more information about the position, please contact Karen Kloth, assistant professor karen.kloth@wur.nl.

For more information about the position, please contact Karen Kloth, assistant professor karen.kloth@wur.nl.

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Ine van’t Land, Corporate Recruiter, via vacaturemeldingen.psg@wur.nl.

Ready to apply?

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Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

You can apply until Monday the 5 of January 2026.

Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure

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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