Join Us!
We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to work on an ambitious project on cross‑kingdom small-RNAs and effector proteins in the Tospovirus–thrips–tomato pathosystem. You will unravel how small RNAs and proteinaceous effectors from thrips reprogram host defenses, and how host plant small RNAs in turn affect virus replication in the insect vector.
Building on rich preliminary datasets of thrips and tomato sRNA and mRNA profiles, you will validate candidate effectors and their plant targets and explore how modifying these targets alters thrips performance and virus transmission. You will work closely with another postdoctoral researcher and our breeding industry partners in an interdisciplinary team that develops molecular tools and breeding concepts for durable resistance to pests and viruses in crops.
This is what you will do
- work with plants, insects (thrips) and plant viruses, including performing bioassays;
- analyze and integrate (s)RNAseq and proteomics data;
- apply and implement advanced biochemistry, molecular biology, and cell biology; including cloning, transformation and validation of interacting partners using transient assays and other in planta gene-silencing or editing approaches.
- report and present your work progress on a regular basis to our industrial partners and write scientific publications
- actively participate in scientific discussions in our research field and our university;
- contribute as a (pro-)active team player to the organization of our laboratory.
What we ask of you
You are an ambitious person, a team player with an open character. You are enthusiastic and willing to become multidisciplinary with a keen eye on Plant virology and/or Plant-microbe interactions.
Next to this you have/are:
- a PhD degree in Plant biology with 1 or more publications as first author in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
- preferentially, skilled in working with RNA, proteins and plant biochemistry
- affinity with bioinformatics and quantitative analysis of omics datasets (e.g. RNAseq/sRNAseq), and willingness to further develop these skills
- hands-on experience in and affinity with molecular biology (cloning strategies, CRISPR-Cas strategies, synthetic biology, plant transformations);
- enthusiasm for working in a public–private partnership, including regular interaction with breeding company partners and appreciation of confidentiality in such collaborations
- strong communication skills in English, both spoken and written, with a track record in scientific writing
- a collaborative, open attitude and the ability to work independently, manage multiple activities in parallel and drive your research line within a larger interdisciplinary team
Our selection will be based on your scientific track record, your vision on this research project, and your ambition, skills, and drive to foster your own (scientific) career.
This is what we offer you
A temporary contract for 30.4-38 hours a week, preferably starting on1-9-2026 for the duration of 12 months. Ann extension for 2 years subsequently follows if we assess your performance positive.
The salary, depending on relevant experience before the beginning of the employment contract, will be €3.546 – €5.538 (scale 10) gross per month, based on a fulltime contract (38 hours a week). This is exclusive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable. Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development? Take a look here.
You will work in this team
The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.
The Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS) is located at the vibrant Amsterdam Science Park. SILS is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam's Faculty of Science (FNWI). With around 240 employees, SILS carries out internationally high-quality life science research and provides education within various university programs. Research is also carried out in close cooperation with the medical, biotech, chemical, flavor, food & agricultural, and high-tech industries, and revolves around 4 main themes, Cell & Systems biology, Neurosciences, Microbiology and Green Life Sciences.
The mission – and passion – of Molecular Plant Pathology is to unravel the molecular processes underlying plant immunity as well as plant susceptibility to infectious diseases. Our ambition is to publish on a regular basis in high impact Scientific journals, while fostering the careers of our co-workers. We are dedicated to raising new generations of scientists, and to providing a meaningful contribution towards sustainable agriculture having less impact on our environment. We study these aspects by using state-of-the-art molecular techniques in high-tech labs and in modern greenhouses. This research enables us to develop and explore novel concepts on plant-microbe interactions and permits implementation and creative use of novel technologies in the fields of -omics, (digital) phenotyping and genetic alteration of plants and pathogens.
Are you a motivated and skilled researcher in Plant Biology who is interested in the interaction of plants with insects and excited by how thrips and plant viruses manipulate plant immunity at the molecular level?
Join Us!
We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to work on an ambitious project on cross‑kingdom small-RNAs and effector proteins in the Tospovirus–thrips–tomato pathosystem. You will unravel how small RNAs and proteinaceous effectors from thrips reprogram host defenses, and how host plant small RNAs in turn affect virus replication in the insect vector.
Building on rich preliminary datasets of thrips and tomato sRNA and mRNA profiles, you will validate candidate effectors and their plant targets and explore how modifying these targets alters thrips performance and virus transmission. You will work closely with another postdoctoral researcher and our breeding industry partners in an interdisciplinary team that develops molecular tools and breeding concepts for durable resistance to pests and viruses in crops.
This is what you will do
- work with plants, insects (thrips) and plant viruses, including performing bioassays;
- analyze and integrate (s)RNAseq and proteomics data;
- apply and implement advanced biochemistry, molecular biology, and cell biology; including cloning, transformation and validation of interacting partners using transient assays and other in planta gene-silencing or editing approaches.
- report and present your work progress on a regular basis to our industrial partners and write scientific publications
- actively participate in scientific discussions in our research field and our university;
- contribute as a (pro-)active team player to the organization of our laboratory.
What we ask of you
You are an ambitious person, a team player with an open character. You are enthusiastic and willing to become multidisciplinary with a keen eye on Plant virology and/or Plant-microbe interactions.
Next to this you have/are:
- a PhD degree in Plant biology with 1 or more publications as first author in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
- preferentially, skilled in working with RNA, proteins and plant biochemistry
- affinity with bioinformatics and quantitative analysis of omics datasets (e.g. RNAseq/sRNAseq), and willingness to further develop these skills
- hands-on experience in and affinity with molecular biology (cloning strategies, CRISPR-Cas strategies, synthetic biology, plant transformations);
- enthusiasm for working in a public–private partnership, including regular interaction with breeding company partners and appreciation of confidentiality in such collaborations
- strong communication skills in English, both spoken and written, with a track record in scientific writing
- a collaborative, open attitude and the ability to work independently, manage multiple activities in parallel and drive your research line within a larger interdisciplinary team
Our selection will be based on your scientific track record, your vision on this research project, and your ambition, skills, and drive to foster your own (scientific) career.
This is what we offer you
A temporary contract for 30.4-38 hours a week, preferably starting on1-9-2026 for the duration of 12 months. Ann extension for 2 years subsequently follows if we assess your performance positive.
The salary, depending on relevant experience before the beginning of the employment contract, will be €3.546 – €5.538 (scale 10) gross per month, based on a fulltime contract (38 hours a week). This is exclusive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable. Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development? Take a look here.
You will work in this team
The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.
The Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS) is located at the vibrant Amsterdam Science Park. SILS is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam's Faculty of Science (FNWI). With around 240 employees, SILS carries out internationally high-quality life science research and provides education within various university programs. Research is also carried out in close cooperation with the medical, biotech, chemical, flavor, food & agricultural, and high-tech industries, and revolves around 4 main themes, Cell & Systems biology, Neurosciences, Microbiology and Green Life Sciences.
The mission – and passion – of Molecular Plant Pathology is to unravel the molecular processes underlying plant immunity as well as plant susceptibility to infectious diseases. Our ambition is to publish on a regular basis in high impact Scientific journals, while fostering the careers of our co-workers. We are dedicated to raising new generations of scientists, and to providing a meaningful contribution towards sustainable agriculture having less impact on our environment. We study these aspects by using state-of-the-art molecular techniques in high-tech labs and in modern greenhouses. This research enables us to develop and explore novel concepts on plant-microbe interactions and permits implementation and creative use of novel technologies in the fields of -omics, (digital) phenotyping and genetic alteration of plants and pathogens.
If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact:
Application
If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the red button. We accept applications until and including July 19th, 2026.
Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file):
- a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
- a letter of motivation;
- the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation.
A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure.
(for details: national knowledge security guidelines)
We will invite potential candidates for interview in July 2026.
