PhD in pectin formation and development in tomatoes Wageningen • Wageningen University & Research

You will do your PhD research at the Laboratory of Food Chemistry, in context of a collaborative project of our group with Wageningen Research BU Greenhouse Horticulture, and Kraft Heinz. The overall research project studies pectin formation and development in tomatoes with the aim to gain a deeper understanding of pectin in tomatoes and how this might positively impact Kraft Heinz tomato product portfolio. The project involves growing various tomato cultivars, analyzing their pectin characteristics, and exploring practical applications in tomato-based products.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• gain a deeper understanding of pectin structures in tomatoes and related endogenous enzymes, resulting in a PhD-thesis;
• set-up a (semi-) high throughput chromatographic method to map pectin structures;
• Work together with the project-technician (same project) at the Laboratory of Food Chemistry;
• supervise students;
• excellent communication with other project partners (Wageningen Research BU Greenhouse Horticulture, and Kraft Heinz).

You are a team player with good interpersonal skills, with great motivation to deepen your and our understanding of detailed pectin structures in different tomato varieties. You like to work in a research and teaching environment. Good oral communication skills, excellent (academic) writing skills, structured way of working, affinity for analytics, willingness to assist others, are all essential competences.

You also possess:

• a succesfully completed MSc degree in food, bio- or analytical chemistry, or in a similar field;
• experience with chromatographic and/or mass spectrometric approaches;
• affinity with (endogenous) enzymes and corresponding screening methodology;
• affinity for collaboration with industry.

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.

For more information about the position, please contact Mirjam Kabel, associate professor, via +31317483209 or email (preferred): via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina..

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Rutger Voorrips, Corporate Recruiter, via e-mail: via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina..

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

You can apply up and until the 18th of August 2025. Don’t wait with your application. We might initiate the first interviews before the closing date.

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 this link.

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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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’.

We pursue this mission through a synergistic approach between Wageningen University and Wageningen Research Foundation (applied research). Our research focuses on questions within the domains of food, living environment, and society. With approximately 30 locations, 7,700 staff members, 2,500 PhD candidates, and over 13,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is among the world’s leading knowledge institutions in its domain. The integral approach to challenges and the collaboration across various disciplines form the core of the unique Wageningen approach.

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We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves and do not appreciate unasked for services from recruitment agencies. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.