Netherlands - Wageningen University PhD Position in Tomato Fruit Development

Wageningen (The Netherlands), 38 hours per week
Plant Sciences Group Wageningen University and Research Centre
Vacancy number: 08.Biosc.10

Organization
Wageningen University and Research Centre (Wageningen UR) is an international renowned knowledge institute in the fields of life sciences and sustainability. It makes an essential contribution to the quality of life through pioneering research and innovative education in the fields of health and nutrition, sustainable agricultural systems and a viable environment. Wageningen Plant Sciences Group (PSG) is a Wageningen UR consortium, bringing together the expertise of Wageningen University and the research institutes Plant Research International (PRI) and PPO (Applied Plant Research).

Job description
The project is a collaboration between the Plant Research International business units BioScience and Greenhouse Horticulture, and the departments of Horticultural Production Chains and of Crop and Weed Ecology of Wageningen University. This project is part of the Technological Top Institute Green Genetics, funded by NWO/ALW and involves a PhD position to elucidate the interaction between environmental factors, transcription factors and cell cycle genes during tomato fruit growth. Using molecular biological techniques the candidate will identify and investigate tomato transcription factors that regulate core cell cycle genes, which in turn control cell division and cell expansion, the major processes determining fruit size and shape. The major focus will be on transcription factors of the TCP family, and on how these interact with environmental factors. Ultimately, this project should lead to a better understanding how a transcriptional network directs fruit growth.

The candidate will collaborate with another PhD student in the same project, who will focus on the effects of environmental factors (temperature, light) on fruit development under greenhouse conditions and on modelling the interaction between environmental factors and genes.

Requirements
We are looking for result-driven persons with a university degree at MSc or equivalent level in (plant) molecular biology experience or affinity with plant physiology an interest in regulation of plant development and in multidisciplinary approaches proficiency in English team player with excellent communication skills, needed to communicate with researchers from various research disciplines ranging from molecular biology to crop ecology

Conditions of employment
Start: early 2009
Estimated maximum gross salary per month: 2042 in the first year rising to 2612 in the fourth year.
Duration of the contract: for a period of 18 months and extension for an additional 30 months pending a positive performance evaluation.

Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy and the project proposal can be obtained from:
Project leader and co-promotor: Dr Ruud de Maagd, telephone number: + 31 317 480548 E-mail address: ruud.demaagd[ at ]wur.nl
or Promotor: Prof Dr Gerco Angenent, telephone: + 317-480953 E-mail address: gerco.angenent[ at ]wur.nl

Application
You can apply for this job before January 15th, 2009 by sending your application, including two references to:

Wageningen UR
Plant Sciences Group
Mrs A.M.D. Bikker
P.O. Box 16
6700 AA Wageningen
The Netherlands
e-mail address: vacaturemeldingen.psg[ at ]wur.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancy number 08.Biosc.10

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