Job description
We are looking for an enthusiastic postdoc who studies plant-water-nutrient relationships.
Scientific knowledge on whole-plant physiology and fundamental
processes under Moon and Mars gravity conditions is essential to ensure a
safe and reliable food supply in future space exploration. Recently the
EU (Horizon2020) has funded the TimeScale project, which project
develops modular equipment in scalable advanced life support systems for
space exploration (International Space Station, Moon, Mars). In this
project Wageningen University cooperates with 7 European universities
and companies.
In this project the role of Wageningen University
is to design a water and nutrient delivery system for crop cultivation
in life support systems in space. The technical focal point will be to
provide a healthy root zone environment, avoiding hypoxia, while having
optimal availability of water and nutrients in a closed loop system. To
create this environment online monitoring and control systems of oxygen
availability and nutrient solution composition will be developed. The
scientific objective is to assess and model water, nutrient and oxygen
uptake and physiological transport in the plant. A scientific
mechanistic model simulating water uptake, transpiration, cation uptake
and distribution in the plant as well as oxygen consumption of roots
will be developed and tested on ground. Arabidopsis thaliana, lettuce
and tomato (mini varieties) will be used as model plants for food crops.
Scientific knowledge on whole-plant physiology and fundamental
processes under Moon and Mars gravity conditions is essential to ensure a
safe and reliable food supply in future space exploration. Recently the
EU (Horizon2020) has funded the TimeScale project, which project
develops modular equipment in scalable advanced life support systems for
space exploration (International Space Station, Moon, Mars). In this
project Wageningen University cooperates with 7 European universities
and companies.
In this project the role of Wageningen University
is to design a water and nutrient delivery system for crop cultivation
in life support systems in space. The technical focal point will be to
provide a healthy root zone environment, avoiding hypoxia, while having
optimal availability of water and nutrients in a closed loop system. To
create this environment online monitoring and control systems of oxygen
availability and nutrient solution composition will be developed. The
scientific objective is to assess and model water, nutrient and oxygen
uptake and physiological transport in the plant. A scientific
mechanistic model simulating water uptake, transpiration, cation uptake
and distribution in the plant as well as oxygen consumption of roots
will be developed and tested on ground. Arabidopsis thaliana, lettuce
and tomato (mini varieties) will be used as model plants for food crops.
Requirements
You are a result-driven team player with creative ideas,
excellent communication skills as well as good proficiency in English
(both oral and written). You have a PhD in plant sciences or plant
biology and you have published some high-quality papers in peer-reviewed
journals.
You have proven a profound knowledge of plant-water-nutrient relationships and whole-plant physiology.
Expertise in modelling and quantitative analysis as well as soil science is strongly preferred.
You are motivated to teach and supervise BSc and MSc students.
excellent communication skills as well as good proficiency in English
(both oral and written). You have a PhD in plant sciences or plant
biology and you have published some high-quality papers in peer-reviewed
journals.
You have proven a profound knowledge of plant-water-nutrient relationships and whole-plant physiology.
Expertise in modelling and quantitative analysis as well as soil science is strongly preferred.
You are motivated to teach and supervise BSc and MSc students.
Conditions of employment
A fulltime position as Post-doc for one year, with perspective of extension for 2 years.
Gross salary per month max. € 4462,- (scale 11) based on full time
employment and dependent on expertise and experience. A part time
employment (minimal 0.8) is also possible.
The selected candidates will be interviewed on Friday 5 December 2014.
Contract type:Gross salary per month max. € 4462,- (scale 11) based on full time
employment and dependent on expertise and experience. A part time
employment (minimal 0.8) is also possible.
The selected candidates will be interviewed on Friday 5 December 2014.
Temporary,
Onbekend
Organisation
Wageningen URThe chair group Horticulture & Product Physiology
The chair group Horticulture & Product Physiology conducts high
impact fundamental research and educates students providing the
scientific basis required to answer questions that are of utmost
importance for sustainable crop production and product quality in
horticulture.
The research focus is on how physiological processes
in crops, plants and plant organs interact with the abiotic environment
and how this affects crop production and product quality. Questions
arising from horticultural practice are translated into fundamental
research topics, aiming to explain mechanisms. The research and
education contributes to sustainably feeding the World with healthy
high-quality products.
The chair group is an international team
consisting of 9 permanent staff members, about 20 PhD candidates and
postdocs and a number of guest researchers. Each year about 30 MSc
students conduct their thesis study (a 6-month research) at our group.
We organise and participate in a variety of courses for BSc and MSc
students to transfer knowledge on horticulture (pre- and post harvest),
environmental physiology and product quality.
Wageningen University and Research Centre
Wageningen University and Research Centre delivers a substantial
contribution to the quality of life. That's our focus - each and every
day. Within our domain, healthy food and living environment, we search
for answers to issues affecting society - such as sustainable food
production, climate change and alternative energy. Of course, we don't
do this alone. Every day, 6,500 people work on 'the quality of life',
turning ideas into reality, on a global scale. Could you be one of these
people? We give you the space you need. For further information about
working at Wageningen UR, take a look at www.jobsat.wur.nl.
The chair group Horticulture & Product Physiology conducts high
impact fundamental research and educates students providing the
scientific basis required to answer questions that are of utmost
importance for sustainable crop production and product quality in
horticulture.
The research focus is on how physiological processes
in crops, plants and plant organs interact with the abiotic environment
and how this affects crop production and product quality. Questions
arising from horticultural practice are translated into fundamental
research topics, aiming to explain mechanisms. The research and
education contributes to sustainably feeding the World with healthy
high-quality products.
The chair group is an international team
consisting of 9 permanent staff members, about 20 PhD candidates and
postdocs and a number of guest researchers. Each year about 30 MSc
students conduct their thesis study (a 6-month research) at our group.
We organise and participate in a variety of courses for BSc and MSc
students to transfer knowledge on horticulture (pre- and post harvest),
environmental physiology and product quality.
Wageningen University and Research Centre
Wageningen University and Research Centre delivers a substantial
contribution to the quality of life. That's our focus - each and every
day. Within our domain, healthy food and living environment, we search
for answers to issues affecting society - such as sustainable food
production, climate change and alternative energy. Of course, we don't
do this alone. Every day, 6,500 people work on 'the quality of life',
turning ideas into reality, on a global scale. Could you be one of these
people? We give you the space you need. For further information about
working at Wageningen UR, take a look at www.jobsat.wur.nl.
Additional information
For questions about this vacancy you can contact Prof. dr ir Leo Marcelis, e-mail: Leo.Marcelis@wur.nl
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