Key Skills

Job Description

Your job Are you a highly motivated and curious PhD candidate, willing to bridge across the fields of neuroscience, ecology and evolutionary biology? Do you want to explore how butterflies and caterpillars use their taste system to recognize the plants they coevolved with? And have you ever wondered if a plant tastes the same to a caterpillar as it does to a butterfly? Then we, at Wageningen University & Research, have an exciting opportunity for you. You would be leading a PhD study with the aim to decipher the neuronal code used by the taste system of specialist caterpillars and butterflies to recognize their host plant. Insect herbivores and plants are intertwined in an intimate coevolutionary arms race in which plants produce toxic defence compounds and insects in turn evolved detoxification mechanisms allowing them to feed on specific plants. In parallel to these feeding adaptations, insects also evolved specific detection mechanisms for those plants to which they have become adapted. These detection mechanisms rely on the recognition of certain plant chemicals as sign stimuli and others as deterrent signals. However, how the brain integrates these positive and negative signals is not yet known. Moreover, butterflies and caterpillars of the same species do not always use the same chemical cues, leading to different preferences in the two life stages. You will use the model system of the cabbage white butterflies, Pieris spp.. These insects lay their eggs almost exclusively on plants containing glucosinolates, toxic compounds to which these insects have specifically adapted. At the same time, most Pieris species avoid cardenolides, a distinct group of defensive chemicals in some Brassica plants. The exception to this rule are Pieris napi butterflies which readily oviposit on cardenolide containing plants, giving us the opportunity to compare the gustatory code both between closely related species and between life stages. To unravel these different coding mechanisms we will use both intra- and extracellular electrophysiological recordings to measure responses to the different chemical and their combination in the butterfly and caterpillar brain. In addition, we will create mutant butterflies lacking the most relevant receptor genes using Crispr/Cas9 to investigate how the silencing of specific neuronal channels changes the encoding of the host plant in the brain. Combined, these results will provide a unique insight into the neuronal mechanisms underlying the coevolution of insect and plants, which is a major driving factor of biodiversity and has shaped many of today’s terrestrial (agro-) ecosystems. As a PhD candidate, you will contribute to fundamental research in the context of insect-plant coevolution and sensory ecology. You will be embedded in a diverse group of international scientists and collaborate with colleagues from both in- and outside Wageningen University & Research. Your Duties And Responsibilities Include Establishing intra- and extracellular electrophysiological recordings from the insect suboesophageal ganglion; Visualize neuronal networks in the insect brain, using confocal microscopy and computer reconstructions; Generate and maintain transgenic insect lines; Supervise MSc and BSc students and assist in lab practicals. You will work here The research is embedded within the Laboratory of Entomology Lab of Entomology - WUR (https://www.wur.nl/en/research-results/chair-groups/plant-sciences/laboratory-of-entomology.htm), which is led by Prof. Bregje Wertheim (Bregje Wertheim - Wageningen University & Research (https://research.wur.nl/en/persons/bregje-wertheim)). You will be co-supervised by Dr. Alexander Haverkamp (Alexander Haverkamp - Wageningen University & Research (https://research.wur.nl/en/persons/alexander-haverkamp)). In addition, you will also be embedded in the PE&RC graduate school (Home | PE&RC (https://www.pe-rc.nl/)), which will allow you to follow a wide variety of training courses and provide support during your academic journey. Your qualities For this project we are looking for an enthusiastic and skilled PhD candidate with a strong interest in insect sensory ecology and the coevolution of insects and plants, who is happy to work at the intersection of neurobiology, molecular biology and chemical ecology. You Also Possess A creative and proactive team player that would like to work in a multidisciplinary environment; A completed MSc degree or equivalent in Biology, Neurobiology or a related field; An affinity for working with butterflies and caterpillars, ideally with a background in plant-insect interactions; Experience with electrophysiology, especially in the insect brain is desirable; Knowledge of molecular techniques and analytic chemistry is an advantage; Excellent communication skills in English and experience with scientific writing. For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level (https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/table-1-cefr-3.3-common-reference-levels-global-scale). Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here (https://www.wur.nl/en/education/phd-programme/admission-requirements). We offer Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment (https://www.wur.nl/en/jobs/conditions-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 € 3.204,- per month rising to € 4.051,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (https://www.universiteitenvannederland.nl/en/collective-labour-agreement-of-dutch-universities) (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. We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help. You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. 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 (https://www.wur.nl/en/jobs/expats-new-international-staff) page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center (https://wcfv.nl/en/home/global/our-services/happy-landing-and-living/) 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. Important information For more information about the position, please contact Alexander Haverkamp, Assistant Professor, via email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]). Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Noorien Abbas, Corporate Recruiter, via [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) . Ready 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. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered. To apply, please send the following documents (max. 3 pages in total ): Complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages); Motivation letter (max. 1 page). The maximum length of the documents must not exceed 3 pages. If it exceeds, applications will not be considered. Additional files such as grades and transcripts are not required during this stage and will not be considered. You can apply up to and including 29 November 2026. The first interviews are scheduled for 15 December 2026. 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: PhD: How taste is encoded in the brain of caterpillars & butterflies – Fill out form (https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/LHKmcy6zcc) 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. 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”. 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, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 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 (https://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs/Why-choose-WUR.htm) why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus! We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

Core Responsibilities

Investigate how caterpillars and butterflies encode host-plant taste cues using intra- and extracellular electrophysiology, neuronal imaging, and CRISPR/Cas9 receptor-gene mutants. Maintain transgenic insect lines, reconstruct neuronal networks, and contribute to student supervision and laboratory teaching.

Requirements

Applicants should have a completed MSc or equivalent in Biology, Neurobiology, or a related field, with a strong interest in insect sensory ecology and insect-plant coevolution. The role calls for a proactive team player with an affinity for butterflies and caterpillars, excellent English communication and scientific writing skills; electrophysiology experience is desirable, while molecular techniques and analytical chemistry knowledge are advantageous.

Benefits

• Partially Paid Parental Leave
• Flexible Working Hours
• Campus Sports Facilities
• Year-End Bonus
• Pension Scheme
• Fully Funded PhD Position
• Tailored Training Program
• Immigration and Visa Application Support
• International Staff Support
• Potential Tax Exemption