PhD Position: The Cellular Basis of Plant Regeneration

1. Introduction

Would you like to be part of innovative research on the genetic, molecular, cellular and physiological basis of plant life? This PhD position offers a supportive research environment where you can contribute to fundamental plant biology with relevance for future crop innovation.

2. Job description

Plants have the fascinating ability to regenerate from a single cell or a damaged tissue. This ability requires extensive changes in, amongst other things, cell programming and patterning. Current methods for hormone-induced regeneration in tissue culture often give limited and unpredictable results. Even in optimal conditions only a few cells or groups of cells make the switch to regeneration and yet fewer manage to form the organised cell patterns of a new shoot or root. Cell and tissue polarity guide, for example, local accumulation of molecules and cell division patterns, which are essential processes during regeneration. In this PhD project, you will combine studies on cell polarity, cell division and plant hormones to investigate how cellular patterns and signals help specific cells to switch to regeneration and be successful.

Reliable and reproducible plant regeneration is a key factor for successful propagation of many crops, yet detailed insights in their regeneration processes are limited. In this project, you will use tomato as a main model species, supplemented with work in Arabidopsis thaliana.

You will use molecular techniques, cell biology, tissue culture and advanced imaging to study cellular processes during regeneration.

You will assist in teaching the new Crop Biotechnology and Engineering (CBE) MSc programme, for example by supervising tutorials or assisting during practicals. This position has a teaching load of up to 10% of your working time. 

Would you like to learn more about what it’s like to pursue a PhD at Radboud University? Visit the page about working as a PhD candidate. 

3. Profile

Essential qualifications:

• You hold a MSc degree in biology, plant biology or a related field.
• You have a strong interest in plant developmental biology, cell biology and regeneration.
• You have hands-on experience with molecular and experimental plant biology.
• You enjoy working on pioneering projects in a collaborative environment.

Desirable skills:

• You have experience with advanced microscopy, molecular biology techniques and/or plant tissue culture.
• You have experience in image analysis.
• You are interested in developing your teaching skills. 

4. We are

The world is facing unprecedented challenges that are leading to a loss of species diversity and pressure on the performance of natural and agricultural ecosystems worldwide. With its overarching mission ’Towards Healthy Ecosystems’, the Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences (RIBES) aims to perform world-leading research in order to understand how life, from cell to ecosystem, is affected by the environment and vice versa, and apply this understanding to resolving pressing societal issues. The RIBES department of Plant & Animal Biology works on various topics in plant development and biotechnology, such as heat stress in reproduction, mathematical modelling of plant development and regulatory mechanisms, and single-cell and biomechanical studies. In addition, it is expanding its research and education portfolio in the field of crop biotechnology to strengthen its impact on society. The crop biotechnology research line focuses on plant genome engineering, meiosis and reproduction, and crop genomics and crop physiology. There is a strong link with the Brightlands Campus Greenport in Venlo, where education in the new CBE MSc will take place.

5. We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract (1.0 FTE) of 1.5 years, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, your contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4-year contract).     
• You will receive a starting salary of €3,059 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, which will increase to €3,881 in the fourth year (salary scale P).
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20. 

6. Practical information and applying

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Maritza van Dop. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application. We look forward to receiving your application.

The first interviews will take place on Monday 22 June. You will preferably start your employment on 1 September 2026.

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates.