netherlands biotechnology phd

14 Best universities for Biotechnology in the Netherlands

Updated: February 29, 2024

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Below is a list of best universities in the Netherlands ranked based on their research performance in Biotechnology. A graph of 1.23M citations received by 29K academic papers made by 14 universities in the Netherlands was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Wageningen University

For Biotechnology

2. Utrecht University

3. University of Groningen

4. Maastricht University

5. Radboud University

6. University of Amsterdam

7. Leiden University

8. Erasmus University Rotterdam

9. Free University Amsterdam

10. Delft University of Technology

11. University of Twente

12. Eindhoven University of Technology

13. Rotterdam University

14. Tilburg University

The best cities to study Biotechnology in the Netherlands based on the number of universities and their ranks are Wageningen , Utrecht , Groningen , and Maastricht .

Biology subfields in the Netherlands

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Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research

Phd in molecular life sciences.

Our PhD programme Molecular Life Sciences, which is part of the  Graduate School of Life Sciences  at Utrecht University aims to provide PhD candidates with a solid and broad knowledge of structural biology, and biochemistry. The programme organizes course on several technologies used in structural biology. Scientists from all over the world are invited to present their research in the Bijvoet Seminar series, organized to expose the PhD candidates in the programme to research performed in the wider scientific community.

All PhD candidates in the MLS programme are also expected to attend the PhD evenings  which are organized by the PhD platform  of the Bijvoet School, which represents all MLS PhD candidates. At these occasions PhD candidates or postdocs from the Bijvoet School present their work to each other and often these lectures are followed by an informal dinner to enhance social cohesion between the different research groups.

Finally, one of the highlights in the programme is the yearly Bijvoet Tutorial Symposium. This symposium presents Bijvoet PhD candidates with an opportunity to present their research and always features renowned international speakers in the field of structural biology.

Stay informed

• Detailed information about the program can be found on this page .
• To stay up-to-date. join the PhD / Postdoc Bijvoet Centre mailinglist here .

Click the button below to go to the page of the PhD programme Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences at the website of the Graduate School if Life Sciences

Utrecht University Heidelberglaan 8 3584 CS Utrecht The Netherlands Tel. +31 (0)30 253 35 50

PhD research

PhD research is at the heart of what we do as a University. Around 2000 PhD candidates are involved in research and education at the UvA and around 400 doctorates are conferred each year. Two-thirds of these are in the Sciences or Medicine.

PhD vacancies

Getting your PhD at the UvA

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The guide to doing your PhD at the UvA brings together all kinds of information about the PhD process, from the regulations and different steps in the process to terms of employment and facilities you can make use of as a PhD candidate.

Doctoral programme: from admission to completion

Documents and forms, phd contact information, central phd council, cookie consent.

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Biotechnology

Innovation is crucial to fulfil the potential of industrial biotechnology for sustainable production of fuels, chemicals, materials, food and feed. Similarly, scientific and technological advances in environmental biotechnology are needed to enable novel approaches to water purification, and ‘waste-to-product’ processes thus contributing to a circular economy. Increased fundamental knowledge encompassing enzymes, microorganisms and processes are essential for progress in this field. The Department of Biotechnology covers this research area and, based on new insights, selects, designs and tests new biobased catalysts, micro-organisms, and processes.

The department encompasses five research sections:

Section Biocatalysis

Section Industrial Microbiology

Section Environmental Biotechnology

Section Bioprocess Engineering

Section Biotechnology and Society

Lab Infrastructure BT

Zero emission biotechnology, biotechnology academy delft.

20 March 2024

Jack Pronk receives the 2024 Novozymes Prize

12 February 2024

Robust reactor design to simplify biomolecule production

09 November 2023

Are Sustainability and Safety Incompatible?

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PhD in Sustainability and Modeling for Cellular Agriculture

Are you passionate about the future of sustainable food production and eager to contribute to the fast-developing field of cellular agriculture? We are seeking a mission-driven individual to join our team as a PhD candidate in Sustainability and Modeling for Cellular Agriculture, with a focus on Development of Techno-Economic Analysis. What is the topic you will work on? With the world’s population predicted to surpass nine billion by 2050, substantial challenges emerge regarding food production and security. Traditional practices such as livestock farming and fishing are deemed unsustainable due to their resource-intensive nature and adverse environmental effects. Therefore, there is an ever-growing need for innovative and sustainable food production technologies. Cellular Agriculture is an emerging technology where animal derived products are produced using cell culture technologies instead of livestock. Despite significant advances in the field, several key technical obstacles remain to be addressed before this technology is viable at a commercial scale. One key aspect is the development of techno economic models to determine the economic viability and scalability of defined cultivated meat bioprocesses. The models help identify critical areas, enabling research and development to focus on optimizing processes that lower manufacturing and facility costs, expenditures, and potential environmental impacts.  As such, we aim to use data generated in benchtop scale experiments to inform and predict bioprocess design via techno-economic analysis (TEA) of the proposed bioprocess. What are you going to do? As a PhD candidate you will be responsible for:

• design and optimize bioprocesses for cultivated meat, including media formulation, cell growth, differentiation, and harvesting;
• collect, model, and analyze data related to costs, energy use, raw materials, and other economic factors in cultivated meat production;
• develop and refine TEA models for the developed bioprocess, focusing on various scales (lab, pilot, industrial);
• perform TEA with an energy balance of a defined bioprocess for cultivated meat/seafood;
• work independently and in close collaboration with project partners from academia and industry;
• publication of research results in relevant and leading journals;
• supervision of student projects as well as cooperation in lectures.

Your qualities

You are curious and passionate about cellular agriculture, possess great problem-solving and analytical skills, and are highly motivated to contribute to the development of a safe and secure food system. You also possess:

• a successfully completed MSc degree in biotechnology, bioprocess engineering, industrial engineering, or another relevant field;
• previous knowledge/expertise in bioprocess design, bioengineering, and/or mathematic modelling;
• affinity towards research questions in TEA;
• strong critical thinking and organizational skills;
• excellent writing and communication skills, in English;
• experience with up-scaling, bioeconomy and decentralized business models is advantageous;
• in-depth knowledge of the field and technology state-of-the-art;
• experience with TEA is a plus.  

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;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• 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 December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

Do you want more information?

For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Affif Grazette, Research Manager, by e-mail: [email protected] . For more information about the procedure, please contact Rutger Voorrips, corporate recruiter, by e-mail: [email protected] . Do you want to apply? You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval. This vacancy will be listed up to and including the 23 rd of September 2024. We hope to schedule the first job interviews shortly after 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. Equal opportunities Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment .

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,700 employees (7,000 fte), 2,500 PhD and EngD candidates, 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines. Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus! We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves and do not appreciate unasked for services from recruitment agencies. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

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Graduate School of Science

PhD candidates carry out a programme of independent research and additional (limited) course work, culminating in production of a PhD thesis in typically 4 years.

Research projects

A detailed description of the research projects can be found on the website of the Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL). Specific requirements of the PhD programme depend on the specialisation chosen and are determined in agreement with the supervisor of the thesis.

PhD training programme

The PhD candidates actively participate in national and international meetings as a part of their training. The PhD thesis is written in English, the language commonly used in the research groups.

An MSc degree is required for admission to the PhD programme. If appropriate, the PhD project will be a continuation of an MSc research project.

Every year, the Institute of Biology Leiden and the National Herbarium Netherlands have paid positions available for PhD candidates, that are filled on a merit basis. A paid position includes limited assistance in undergraduate teaching. It may also be possible to enter the PhD programme with self-obtained grants. Grants must provide for costs of living and for a bench fee.

We have 4 Biological Sciences PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships in Netherlands

Biological Sciences

Netherlands

Institution

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Biological Sciences PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships in Netherlands

Fairomics - phd fellowship in rational design of plant-based food fermentation genomics., phd research project.

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

This project is in competition for funding with other projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be successful. Unsuccessful projects may still go ahead as self-funded opportunities. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but potential funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

Molecular dynamics of intrinsically disordered proteins in health and disease

Funded phd project (students worldwide).

This project has funding attached, subject to eligibility criteria. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but its funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

PhD Candidate: Computational Cognitive Neuroscience – Decision Confidence

Phd candidate: computational cognitive neuroscience – multisensory perceptual inference, learning and attention.

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123 PhD jobs in The Netherlands

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• PhD positions in Eindhoven (54)
• PhD positions in Enschede (26)
• PhD positions in Leiden (21)
• PhD positions in Amsterdam (14)
• PhD positions in Nijmegen (7)
• PhD positions in Den Helder (1)

Other countries

• PhD positions in Belgium (146)
• PhD positions in Germany (55)
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Search results (123)

PhD position on CRISPR diagnostics on-chip to improve cervical cancer screening

Job descriptionCervical cancer is the most common gynecological cancer and this cancer could be prevented by screening programs. Currently the participation rates are low and in this project we wan...

PhD Reconfigurable metasurfaces for Radar Cross Section (RCS) control

PhD Research Project "Reconfigurable metasurfaces for Radar Cross Section (RCS) control" Promoter: Prof. dr. G. Gerini (TU/e Electromagnetics Group – TNO Optics Department)Position PhD-studentIrène Curie Fellowship NoDepartment(s) Electrical Engin...

PhD position in Human-Centric Optimization for Supply Chain Excellence

Position PhD-studentIrène Curie Fellowship NoDepartment(s) Industrial Engineering and Innovation SciencesFTE 1,0Date off 08/09/2024Reference number V39.7650Job descriptionThe labor shortage in the Netherlands has become a critical issue, affecting...

Three PhD positions on computational illumination optics design

Are you eager to use your mathematical skills to model and design optical systems for sustainable high-tech devices for billions of people? Do you like to develop and analyze numerical methods for partial differential equations?Position PhD-studen...

PhD position: “Reconstructing and attributing regional sea-level change in the 20th century using climate models”

The Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems (EDS) is looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate with a background in physical geography, oceanography or meteorology. The position is part of a l...

PhD on hardware design of RDC for Electric Vehicle Fast Chargers (E2GO DC1)

Position PhD-studentIrène Curie Fellowship NoDepartment(s) Electrical EngineeringFTE 1,0Date off 01/09/2024Reference number V36.7646Job descriptionResearch Programme Description“E2GO– Cost-reduction of EV fast-charging station to enable large-scal...

PhD fellow Diplomacy and Global Affairs

The Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA) of the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs is looking for a PhD fellow in its research group Diplomacy and Global AffairsThe PhD fellow will develop a research project on EU diplomatic repre...

PhD Candidate: Computer Security and Privacy: Online Privacy and Digital Rights

Employment 1.0 FTEGross monthly salary € 2,770 - € 3,539Required background Research University DegreeOrganizational unit Faculty of ScienceApplication deadline 29 September 2024Are you passionate about improving the digital landscape and protecti...

PhD scholarship in “Quantitative Analysis of Impact Investing and Social Entrepreneurship Scaling”

Job descriptionThe PhD project is part of a network of 15 doctoral theses that all contribute to the overall goal of understanding social entrepreneurship (SE) scaling. This particular PhD thesis i...

PhD position in IC Design group

Job descriptionThe University of Twente (UT) is located in the east of the Netherlands. It offers a dynamic campus, excellent facilities and the possibility to work in- and with- famous research gr...

PhD-student: Non-Hermitian nano-optomechanical networks and their sensing performance

The Photonic Forces group seeks a motivated and talented PhD student working at the intersection of the fields of nano-optomechanics and topological physics. Nanomechanical resonators are versatile...

PhD Position on Electrochemical conversion of CO2 to methanol using proton-conducting ceramic cells

Job descriptionProtonic ceramic electrochemical cells (PCEC) have transformative potential due to its ability to provide alternative sustainable pathways for production of key chemicals using green...

PhD Candidate in Trustworthy Analysis of Stochastic Timed Systems

Job descriptionApplications will be evaluated on a monthly basis. The vacancy may be closed early once the positions are filled. We offer two Ph.D. positions within the TruSTy project on “Trustwort...

PhD on Innovation pathways for off-shore wind energy integration

TU/e is seeking an enthusiastic candidate for a PhD project that aims to develop pathways for the integration of offshore wind energy in the energy system.Position PhD-studentIrène Curie Fellowship NoDepartment(s) Industrial Engineering and Innova...

PhD on Stochastic modelling and reliability assessment

Disruptive innovations are needed in managing and operating distribution grids. Are you our next PhD researchers in exploring disruptive innovations in managing and operating distribution grids?Position PhD-studentIrène Curie Fellowship NoDepartme...

EngD position on Supply Chain Security

Job descriptionPolicy makers around the world, especially in Europe, are increasingly focused on enhancing the resilience and security of their critical infrastructures, given the increasing cyber ...

PhD student in Biochemistry, Structure and Function of Archaeal Chromatin

PhD student in Biochemistry, Structure and Function of Archaeal ChromatinThe project is aimed at understanding structure, function and evolution of archaeal histone proteins. It is embedded in a dynamic multidisciplinary research group (biochemist...

PhD Candidate: Effect of Online and Offline Marketing of Alcohol-free Beverages on the Drinking Behaviour of Young People

Employment 1.0 FTEGross monthly salary € 2,770 - € 3,539Required background Research University DegreeOrganizational unit Faculty of Social SciencesApplication deadline 11 August 2024Are you passionate about becoming an expert in the unique resear...

PhD position (f/m/d): Pioneering simulations of offshore wind farm turbulence

Job descriptionWe are looking for a motivated PhD candidate to delve into flow dynamics in offshore wind farms, developing novel computer simulations. As the scale of wind turbines and farms expand...

PhD position on statistical theory for deep learning based image classification

Job descriptionFrom recognising faces to diagnosing diseases, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) excel in image recognition. However, their lack of theoretical understanding poses the risk of une...

PhD: Computational imaging and metrology through a multimode fiber

Work ActivitiesOptical metrology is a key ingredient of nanolithography, as it enables the characterization of critical features of nanostructures printed on wafers. High-resolution imaging is an essential part of optical metrology: We need to per...

PhD position (f/m/d): Large-scale weather effects in wind farm simulations

Job descriptionThis PhD project is part of the ERC Consolidator Grant project WINDFLOW, which strives to develop groundbreaking large-eddy simulation strategies for wind farm flows. Joining our tea...

PhD position (f/m/d): Assessing the interplay between wind farms and clouds

Job descriptionThis PhD project is part of the ERC Consolidator Grant project WINDFLOW, which strives to develop groundbreaking large-eddy simulation strategies for wind farm flows. Your research w...

PhD position (f/m/d): Large-scale impact of wind farms on atmospheric flow

Phd: imaging spectroscopy for broadband euv source size characterization.

Work ActivitiesThis fully funded PhD position is part of a Holland High Tech (TKI HTSM) grant titled “Imaging Spectroscopy for Broadband EUV Source Size Characterization (ImSpec)”, a collaboration between the Advanced Research Center for Nanolitho...

PhD position: Hydrodynamics of droplet-laser interaction for EUV lithography

Work ActivitiesThis fully funded PhD position lies at the interface between fundamental physics and industrial application. It is part of a fully funded Consolidator Grant from the European Research Council titled “Next-Generation Light Source: Dr...

PhD Candidate in Algorithmic Fairness in Social Network Analysis

The Faculty of Science and the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS) is looking for a:PhD Candidate in Algorithmic Fairness in Social Network Analysis (1.0 FTE)About this positionAre you a passionate and committed young researcher ...

PhD Position: Neuromorphic Human-Computer Interaction at the Human Media Lab

Employment 1.0 FTEGross monthly salary € 2,770 - € 3,539Required background Research University DegreeOrganizational unit Faculty of ScienceApplication deadline 13 October 2024Are you passionate about revolutionizing Human-Computer Interaction? Co...

PhD candidate (1,0 FTE) in Central Asian (Tarim Basin) Palaeography

Leiden University, Faculty of Humanities, Leiden University Centre for Linguistics (LUCL), is looking for aPhD candidate (1,0 FTE) in Central Asian (Tarim Basin) Palaeographyto work on“Patterns of writing: The development of the Brāhmī and Kharoṣṭ...

EngD position: Construction Management and Engineering

Job descriptionAn Engineering Doctorate is an official-accredited degree as professional technological designer. During this in-depth program, you become a specialist while following a tailored pos...

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15 plant-biotechnology-phd positions in Netherlands

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• Scholarship 9
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PhD position Environmental Biotechnology

Biotechnology section, you will be joining an active, inclusive, and inspiring team exploring wastewater treatment processes from diverse perspectives. For the PhD duration, you will be enrolled in the TU Delft

PhD position in lipid metabolism engineering in microalgae

Your job As a part of a European project, we are seeking a highly motivated and skilled early-stage scientist to join our highly dynamic team as a PhD candidate. The successful candidate will play a

Postdoc position: Modelling and assessing electrochemical systems

following criteria: PhD degree in a relevant field (preferably in Chemical Engineering or a related discipline). Creative, open-minded and proactive. Excellent experimental and analytical skills. Good team

Postdoc position: Designing electrocatalysts using atomic layer deposition

criteria: PhD degree in a relevant field (preferably in Chemical Engineering or a related discipline) Creative, open-minded and proactive; Excellent experimental and analytical skills; Good team player; Good

PhD Position Enhanced Image Processing for Scattered Light Microscopy

We offer an exciting PhD position at TU Delft on the junction of computational imaging, optics, image processing, and biomedical research. Apply now and contribute to a better reconstruction of

PhD position: atomic layer deposition for CO2 hydrogenation catalysts

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to work on stable CO2 hydrogenation catalysts using atomic layer deposition. Within the endeavour of the energy transition, it is essential to develop

PhD position - CO2 Electochemical Conversion to Alcohols on Molecular Catalysts

carbon source, and to develop technologies that can convert CO2 into valuable compounds such as carbon monoxide, ethylene and ethanol. Within the e-Refinery Institute at TU Delft, we’re working

PhD in Ex situ and in situ quantification of structure-functional relationships in texturized novel protein sources

Research, we have an open PhD position in the field of ex situ and in situ experimental quantification of structural-textural properties of novel protein sources. This PhD project will take place

Engineering Doctorate Traineeship in Product, Process and Equipment Design 02/2025

Kick off your career in the process industry (chemicals, energy, food, pharma) in Delft. As an Engineering Doctorate (EngD) trainee in Process and Equipment Design at the world-class institute TU

PhD Position – Quantum Sensing with Levitated Particles

are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €2541 per month in the first year to €3247 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in

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• Fri. Aug 30th, 2024

Best Global Research Positions in Agriculture and Biosciences

3 PhD Funded Positions and 2 Postdoc Positions in Plant Biology/ Mechanobiology Within the GreenTE Gravitation Program in The Netherlands

By Agristok

3 PhD Funded Positions and 2 Postdoc Positions in Plant Biology/Mechanobiology Within the GreenTE Gravitation Program in The Netherlands: Plant Mechanobiology is an field that explores how mechanical forces and physical properties influence the growth, development, and behavior of plants. At its heart, plant mechanobiology investigates how plants perceive, respond, and adapt to mechanical stimuli, which can include forces like wind, gravity, touch, or even the pressure exerted by their own growth. This field bridges physics, biology, and engineering to understand these interactions.

Mechanobiology plays a crucial role in plant morphogenesis. The mechanical properties of cell walls, influenced by the arrangement of cellulose microfibrils, determine how cells expand and divide, shaping plant organs. This includes how plants bend or how leaves fold, as seen in the rapid movements of the Mimosa pudica when touched, which involves specialized motor organs called pulvini. Understanding plant mechanobiology can lead to advancements in agriculture, like developing crops that are more resilient to wind or mechanical stress, or optimizing plant architecture for better light capture and yield.

Plant mechanobiology , therefore, not only enriches our understanding of plant life but also opens avenues for innovation in biotechnology, agriculture, and even materials science, where plant-inspired designs could lead to new technologies. This field continues to evolve, with each discovery peeling back another layer of the complex life of plants, revealing them as dynamic, responsive organisms far beyond passive greenery.

About GreenTE: Green Mechanobiology is positioned at the interface of classical disciplines: biology, mechanics, physics and chemistry. A central aim in mechanobiology is not to view the physical and mechanical aspects of plant life as separate from the complex biological reality, but as an intrinsic and deeply intertwined part of the whole. The field of Green Mechanobiology aims to integrate concepts from physics and mechanics into a biological viewpoint on the processes of life for a systems level understanding.

A foundational basis of our GreenTE project is our shared conviction that to understand how mechanics couples to biological programs in the life of plant cells and tissues, and to learn how such knowledge can be leveraged to gain engineering control over plant development or resilience, we need to bring together a broad range of expertise. We not only believe that an inherently multidisciplinary problem requires a truly interdisciplinary team, but are also convinced that it is essential to train a new generation of young researchers to integrate concepts from these disparate fields in their intuitive scientific thinking, which can only be effectively achieved by embedding their training in a collaborative community that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. Thus, the GreenTE consortium strives to advance the field of plant mechanobiology both by pushing the frontiers of our scientific knowledge and by fostering a new generation of researchers that is equipped to better approach complex problems using a multidisciplinary approach.

The GreenTE community will build strong links to adjacent international fields of plant biomechanics and (animal and microbial) mechanobiology. We will link our efforts to those of other international initiatives, in part through our Scientific Advisory Board members, by organizing international conferences, by enabling exchange in the form of scientific visits by GreenTE researchers to other institutes (such as the NSF Center for Engineering MechanoBiology (CEMB)) and by offering support to international scientists to visit and work in GreenTE labs. We will provide a rich playing field for translational science through the inclusion of an Industrial Stakeholders Committee, comprising both small to medium and large enterprises, that will support and help identify novel applications of our fundamental research.

We have 3 PhD Positions and 2 Postdoctoral Positions available:

PhD position: Modeling the mechanical regulation of plant development and regeneration:

The opening is for a PhD research position within the field of mathematical or theoretical biology, computational physics, applied mathematics or computational science. The successful applicant will be an integral member of the GreenTE community, which offers an open, diverse and inspiring environment to engage in multidisciplinary mechanobiology research at the intersection of biology, chemistry and physics, and is expected to participate in GreenTE events, training and collaborations.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and interpret novel two-dimensional multiscale mathematical models of mechanical regulation of plant development and regeneration in close collaboration with members of the GreenTE consortium, in particular the group of experimental plant biologist Prof. dr. Dolf Weijers at Wageningen University.
• Further develop the plant modeling package VirtualLeaf to reflect mechanical manipulation as performed in the experimental lab.
• Incorporate detailed insights into the model of the mechanical properties of cell walls based on experiments and small-scale simulations developed elsewhere in the GreenTE consortium.
• Correct and improve your mathematical models in close collaboration with experimental biologists, particularly PhD students at Wageningen University who will perform mechanical interventions (e.g., stretching, squeezing or poking) of embryo development and root regeneration of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.
• At a later stage: extend the models to three dimensions in close collaboration with a postdoc in computational science in our team.

Enquiries about the position can be made to Prof.dr. Roeland Merks, [email protected]

To apply for this vacancy, please ensure that you join to your application the following additional documents:

• A letter of motivation
• An updated CV
• Letters of recommendation or contact details of 1 or 2 former supervisors
• The transcripts of your MSc studies
• Examples of previously written code

Application deadline September 9 th 2024.

• PhD position: Mechanical signaling during seed germination

Within the GreenTE Gravitation program, we are looking for a motivated PhD candidate to explore mechanisms of mechanical signaling during seed germination. In this PhD project, we aim for mapping the mechanical responses during seed germination. We will use a multi-point indentation technique to characterize the seeds’ mechanical properties, such as stiffness and rupture force, with a spatial resolution of a few micrometers. Further, we will use the plant-specific molecular mechanoprobes to generate high-resolution maps of the mechanical properties and turgor pressure inside the seed, using multiphoton confocal microscopy. We will link the gained knowledge to transcriptome, translatome and phosphoproteome data that will be generated by other researchers in the project team to finally create an integrated model of seed germination. The constructed models will be functionally characterized using Arabidopsis mutants.

The candidate will be embedded in the Wageningen Seed Science Centre (Leónie Bentsink group) which is part of the Laboratory of Plant physiology, Wageningen University, and within the larger GreenTE program. The latter includes physicists, chemists, theoreticians and plant biologists. We are looking for an MSc graduate (or soon to graduate MSc candidate) with a strong affinity with curiosity-driven plant science and experience in (plant) molecular biology approaches (including confocal microscopy). The (full-time) position is funded for 4 years and available from October 2024 onwards.

This PhD project is part of the Gravitation programme GreenTE (Green Tissue Engineering), a multidisciplinary consortium of 7 Dutch universities. Together, GreenTE will unravel how plants sense and respond to mechanical stimuli; these fundamental insights will be the basis to develop engineering interventions to improve plant regeneration, seed germination and defenses against disease. The successful applicant will be an integral member of the GreenTE community, which offers an open, diverse and inspiring environment to engage in multidisciplinary mechanobiology research at the intersection of biology, chemistry and physics, and is expected to participate in GreenTE events, training and collaborations.

For more information about this position, please contact Prof dr Leónie Bentsink ( [email protected] ) This vacancy is open up to and including September 2, 2024. If you are interested in joining our diverse team, please apply online through APPLY NOW by uploading a motivation letter and CV

• PhD Position in Mechanical signaling in plants

Within the GreenTE Gravitation program, we are looking for a motivated PhD candidate to explore mechanisms of mechanical signaling in plants. Our recent data identified rapid protein phosphorylation as a potentially profound mediator of responses to mechanical stress in Arabidopsis cells. In this project, the candidate will use a combination of microfluidics and phosphoproteomics to systematically explore rapid responses to mechanical signals, and investigate the role of newly identified candidate regulators and mediators in the perception of and response to mechanical signaling in development and/or immunity.

The candidate will be embedded in a multi-disciplinary team both at the host department (Dolf Weijers and Joris Sprakel groups; Wageningen University), and within the larger GreenTE program. The latter includes physicists, chemists, theoreticians and plant biologists.

We are looking for an MSc graduate (or soon to graduate MSc candidate) with a strong affinity with curiosity-driven plant science and experience in one or more of the following areas: (1) Proteomics, (2) Microfluidics, (3) Engineering. The (full-time) position is funded for 4 years and available from September 2024 onward.

This PhD/PD project is part of the Gravitation programme GreenTE (Green Tissue Engineering), a multidisciplinary consortium of 7 Dutch universities. Together, GreenTE will unravel how plants sense and respond to mechanical stimuli; these fundamental insights will be the basis to develop engineering interventions to improve plant regeneration, seed longevity and defenses against disease. The successful applicant will be an integral member of the GreenTE community, which offers an open, diverse and inspiring environment to engage in multidisciplinary mechanobiology research at the intersection of biology, chemistry and physics, and is expected to participate in GreenTE events, training and collaborations.

To apply: Please contact Dolf Weijers ( [email protected] ) or Joris Sprakel ( [email protected] ) to inquire about the position or to apply. When applying, please provide a motivation letter, a detailed CV and names of 2-3 individuals from whom a letter of reference can be requested. This vacancy is open up to and including September 2, 2024.

• Postdoc position: Three-dimensional simulation models of plant tissue mechanobiology

The opening is for a Postdoc research position within the field of computational science, mathematical or theoretical biology, computational physics, or applied mathematics. The successful applicant will be an integral member of the GreenTE community, which offers an open, diverse and inspiring environment to engage in multidisciplinary mechanobiology research at the intersection of biology, chemistry and physics, and is expected to participate in GreenTE events, training and collaborations.

• Develop novel, three-dimensional simulation techniques suitable for modeling the mechanical regulation of plant development and regeneration in close collaboration with members of the GreenTE consortium.
• Integrate the new techniques into the plant modeling package VirtualLeaf .
• Design simulation experiments to reflect and interpret mechanical manipulation of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana as performed elsewhere in the GreenTE consortium.
• Incorporate detailed insights into the model of the mechanical properties of cell walls based on experiments and simulations at the subcellular level as developed elsewhere in the GreenTE consortium.
• Collaborate with a PhD student working in our group, also within GreenTE, to extend two-dimensional models of mechanical regulation of plant development to three dimensions and to validate these against experimental data produced elsewhere in the consortium.
• Publication of the results in the scientific literature.
• Postdoc position: Mechanosensing mechanisms of seed desiccation survival; Postdoc Seed Desiccation – GreenTE

As part of the GreenTE Gravitation program, we are looking for a talented, motivated, and proactive postdoctoralresearcher who is interested in unravelling the mechanosensing mechanisms of seed desiccation survival.

Producing dry seeds is vital for plants since it enables them to survive in harsh environmental conditions and it ensures that their species can thrive over time. Extreme loss of water (or desiccation) during seed development or germination is an important factor that affects seed survival, resilience, and storability. However, little is still known about how drying is sensed and integrated into seed developmental programs.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will investigate how mechanical and biochemical signals trigged by drying affect the transcriptome (RNA-seq) and phosphoproteome during seed maturation and germination in Arabidopsis thaliana. Besides designing and conducting experiments, analyzing the results and writing scientific manuscripts, you will have the opportunity to contribute with teaching and supervising MSc and BSc students.

Your qualities:

• You have a recently obtained a PhD degree in plant sciences, with a focus on molecular biology, developmental biology, biochemistry, or related fields,
• You have experience with detailed phenotyping and affinity with precision work in model species, such as molecular biology and microscopy techniques,
• You have interest or affinity with biophysical and/or biochemistry research in plants,
• Experience with seed physiology experiments, phosphoproteomics, transcriptomics, and/or bioinformatics approaches are an advantage,
• Have excellent organizational and writing skills, work independently and reliably, and are proactive and enthusiastic for the project.

You will work at the Seed Resilience Group, led by Dr. Mariana Silva Artur. Our group addresses fundamental questions related to seed survival in the dry state. We are also embedded in the Wageningen Seed Science Centre which is part of the Laboratory of Plant Physiology. This project is part of the GreenTE Gravitation program, a multidisciplinary consortium of 7 Dutch universities who aims at unravelling how plants sense and respond to mechanical stimuli and to develop engineering interventions to improve plant regeneration, seed longevity and defenses against disease. The successful applicant will be an integral member of the GreenTE community, which offers an open, diverse and inspiring environment to engage in multidisciplinary mechanobiology research at the intersection of biology, chemistry and physics, and is expected to participate in GreenTE events, training and collaborations.

For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Mariana Silva Artur ([email protected]) . This vacancy is open up to and including September 2, 2024. If you are interested in joining our diverse and interdisciplinary team, please apply please apply online through: APPLY NOW by uploading a motivation letter and CV.

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ECB2024, IBS2024 and NBC-24 Congress: 30 June - 3 July 2024 Relocated to Rotterdam, the Gateway to Europe The Dutch Biotechnology Association (NBV) is pleased to host the World’s two longest running biotechnology Congresses, ECB2024 and IBS2024, at their annual meeting, NBC-24, in the Netherlands.   Since 1960, IBS2024 has been the major event organised by the biotechnology sub-division of IUPAC, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.   ECB2024 is the 19th Congress organised by the European Federation of Biotechnology.  The Organising Committee extends a special welcome to colleagues from the Asian Federation of Biotechnology. Combining three major biotechnology events in this way has attracted leading experts from across the World to present Plenary Lectures and Keynote presentations in 30 symposia.  We will honour at no additional cost registration fees paid for the postponed 2020, 2021 and 2022 congresses. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] .  PLEASE CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Welcome from the congress organising committee, the over-arching theme for the 2024 congress will be “grand challenges for biotechnology: health; food security; and global warming”.  to meet these challenges will require close cooperation between industry, academia, research institutes and national governments.  the scientific programme will therefore focus on how to translate front line research into commercially viable applications.    though small in surface area, the netherlands is a major player in biotechnology. its success is based on a strong academic backbone, an entrepreneurial spirit, a remarkable talent to get things organized and a natural ability to cooperate.  in addition to daily plenary lectures and five streams of morning and afternoon symposia, the scientific programme will include a trade exhibition and presentations by our sponsors.  in line with the ibs and ecb tradition, we will promote the participation of young scientists by encouraging them to submit their original work to be considered for presentation as short talks, flash posters or posters.  we warmly welcome your participation and look forward to meeting you in rotterdam.

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Christopher A. Voigt, PhD

Pushing the scale of genetic engineering.

Application of synthetic biology to address humanity's greatest challenges in manufacturing, environment, health and agriculture.

Genetic engineering is undergoing a revolution, where next-generation technologies for DNA and host manipulation are enabling larger and more ambitious projects in biotechnology. Automated DNA synthesis has advanced to where it is routine to order sequences >100,000bp where every base is user-specified, the turnaround time is several weeks, and the cost is rapidly declining. Recently, this facilitated the synthesis of a complete 1 Mbp genome of a bacterium and its transfer into a new host, resulting in a living cell. However, while whole genomes can be constructed, the ability to design such systems is lagging. The focus of my lab is to develop new experimental and theoretical methods to push the scale of genetic engineering, with the ultimate objective of genome design. This will impact the engineering of biology for a broad range of applications, including agriculture, materials, chemicals, and medicine.

Areas I Research

Prof. Voigt obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and a PhD in Biochemistry and Biophysics at the California Institute of Technology. He continued his postdoctoral research in Bioengineering at the University of California, Berkeley. His academic career commenced as an Assistant and Associate Professor at the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of California-San Francisco. Chris Voigt joined the Department of Biological Engineering at MIT as Associate Professor in 2011.