PhD Position - Uncovering the underground rules of plant health and community resilience (ERC Advanced Grant DIGDEEP) Wageningen • Wageningen University & Research

Embark on a groundbreaking PhD journey exploring plant-fungal dynamics in the ERC-funded DIGDEEP project. Delve into the mystery of how biodiversity modulates plant disease, working from the greenhouse to expansive field experiments. Enjoy benefits like partially paid parental leave, campus sports facilities, a year-end bonus, and an impressive pension scheme. Become part of an enthusiastic and diverse international team, fostering innovative solutions in sustainable agriculture and ecology. Continue reading to find out why we could be the ideal fit for you.

Your job

Are you fascinated by the hidden world of plant–fungal interactions belowground? Do you want to uncover how biodiversity shapes the risk of plant diseases, and make discoveries that matter for both fundamental ecology and sustainable agriculture? Then this PhD position in the prestigious ERC Advanced Grant project DIGDEEP might be for you!

Biodiversity often reduces disease outbreaks, but not always, and we don’t yet know why. As our PhD candidate, you will dive into this puzzle, exploring how plant community structure, host quality, and fungal diversity interact to influence disease risk. You will combine mesocosm experiments in the greenhouse with fieldwork in large-scale biodiversity experiments to untangle the complexity of plant–fungal interactions. Our special focus lies belowground: on fungal root pathogens — digging deep in both a literal and scientific sense.

Your Role

• Develop and test hypotheses on belowground pathogen transmission in diverse plant communities.
• Conduct greenhouse and field experiments, including work at the renowned Jena Experiment in Germany.
• Measure plant performance and fungal diversity using ecological and molecular tools.
• Publish your findings in leading scientific journals and complete your PhD thesis.

The Team
You will join the Root Ecology team led by Prof. Dr. Liesje Mommer at Wageningen University, part of the Forest Ecology and Forest Management group. We are an enthusiastic, international, and interdisciplinary team, passionate about plant–fungal interactions in complex communities.
Your fieldwork will take you to Germany, where you’ll work within the Jena Experiment and collaborate closely with Prof. Dr. Alex Weigelt and Prof. Dr. Nico Eisenhauer. Together, we form a strong network of ecologists — from experimental to theoretical — working toward nature-positive solutions for agriculture, biodiversity, and ecosystem health.
Your qualities

• MSc degree in Plant Biology, Ecology, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with plants and/or fungi, and enthusiasm for both field and greenhouse research.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills are essential. Experience with ecological experimental design and molecular techniques are a plus.
• A collaborative, organised, and curious mindset, with readiness to travel for fieldwork.
• Ability to thrive in a stimulating environment that requires dedication, persistence, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and spoken.

We offer you

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.

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.

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.
Do you want more information?

For more information about the position, please contact Prof. dr Liesje Mommer, via or email: via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina..

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jessa Rozema, Corporate Recruiter, 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 until 27 October, 2025. The first interviews are scheduled for 18 November 2025.

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 the link below:

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.

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.

We are

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.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR.

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.