PhD in Plant Biology

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to investigate how quinoa, white lupin and/or aardaker (Lathyrus tuberosus) contribute to ecosystem services in cropping systems. The PhD position will focus on generating knowledge on the ecological functions of these novel protein crops and understanding plant biotic interactions that underlie sustainable and biodiversity-positive cropping systems. Field trials at research stations, and potentially on-farm, will generate actionable data to support farmers in making the transition towards more sustainable farming practices and in facilitating the wider adoption of these novel protein crops./n/nThis research is embedded within three research groups: the Biosystematics Group (BIS), the Centre for Crop Systems Analysis (CSA), and the Plant Production Systems Group (PPS) with supervision by Dr. Casper Quist/Dr. Klaas Bouwmeester, Prof. Jonne Rodenburg, Dr. Paul Ravensbergen, respectively./n/nThe NWA-funded PhD position is part of the REAP2SOW programme, a national collaboration between Wageningen University & Research, Utrecht University, Leiden University, the University of Twente, and the University of Groningen, together with partners across the agri-food sector. REAP2SOW addresses the urgent challenge of transitioning to a sustainable, plant-based protein system by 2050, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture and strengthen food security in the face of climate change and increasing weather extremes that affect ecosystem functioning. The programme brings together interdisciplinary expertise spanning natural, social, and technical sciences./n/nWithin REAP2SOW, our work package, comprising two PhD projects, will focus on designing resilient, sustainable and biodiversity-positive cropping systems for protein crops.