Postdoctoral Researcher Chemical Communication Between Plants and the Microbiome

UVA is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher for a project on chemical communication between plants and their microbiome in the Netherlands. The research focuses on eclepins, signaling compounds in root exudates, and their role in microbiome recruitment. Responsibilities include conducting experiments, collaborating with the research group, presenting findings, writing reports, and contributing to academic publications. The position aims to enhance crop resilience and sustainable food production.
Plant roots accommodate one of the most diverse microbial communities on earth. This plant microbiome provides several beneficial functions to its host. The aim of the research consortium Microbial Imprinting for Crop Resilience (MiCRop), funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO), is to harness the genomic potential of root-associated microorganisms as a new platform for improved stress resilience of future crops and sustainable food production. The chemical interaction between the plant host and its microbiome is an important aspect of this research and is the focus of the Plant Hormone Biology group at the University of Amsterdam.
Join us!

Deciphering the chemical language of belowground interkingdom communication and uncovering the underlying mechanisms are major challenges in this field. In recent years, our focus has been on a class of rhizosphere signaling compounds called eclepins, detected in the root exudate of various plant species like potato, tomato, and kidney bean. Initially identified as host cues for parasitic cyst nematodes (CNs) at picomolar concentrations, eclepins were long believed to be solely plant-produced. Surprisingly, we discovered that solanoeclepin A (SolA), found in potato and tomato root exudate, originates from a plant precursor converted to SolA by microbes. Moreover, we have indications that this precursor is a signal in the recruitment of beneficial microbes, particularly under nitrogen deficiency, which strongly boosts eclepin production.

We are looking for a highly qualified and enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher with plant molecular and microbiological expertise to strengthen our team and study the eclepins and their biological significance in microbiome recruitment.
What are you going to do?

You will uncover the evolution of the eclepin biosynthetic pathway. Using microbiological approaches and the Microp culture collection from phase I, you will identify the microbes contributing to eclepin formation. By employing knockouts or natural mutants in eclepin biosynthesis, you will demonstrate its role for plant fitness and the modulation of microbial diversity and nematode infection. We anticipate this will further unravel the importance of a new signaling molecule, enriching our understanding of chemical diversification and its impact on the plant-microbiome interaction. The research outcomes hold potential for industry applications, enabling breeders to develop crops with improved microbial relationships and improved N use efficiency. Ultimately, this work may contribute to fertilizer reduction by harnessing beneficial microbes, thereby reducing production costs for farmers and mitigating environmental impacts.

Tasks and responsibilities:
• perform your experiments in a systematic and well controlled manner and keep accurate records by properly documenting and organizing your work;
• be an active member of the research group and take responsibility for shared tasks. Discuss your work with group members and during consortium meetings. Incorporate feedback and give input to others;
• present your results at (inter)national scientific meetings;
• involve in writing project reports;
• expand you academic, professional and personal skills;
• take a leading role in writing and publishing manuscripts;
• assist in teaching and supervising Bachelor and Master thesis and tutoring students.
What do you have to offer?

You are passionate about plant metabolism and its role in plant-microbe interactions. You are skilled in biosynthesis and plant molecular biology. You feel comfortable performing data analysis but are also experimentally well-versed. You enjoy working in a multidisciplinary team and are a team player. You have good communication skills as you will be expected to discuss your results with partners and in (inter)national meetings.

Your experience and profile:
You have/are:
• a PhD in Biology or Plant Science;
• strong background in biosynthesis and plant metabolism;
• experience with molecular biological and biochemical tools;
• experience with omics analysis (especially transcriptomics and metabolomics);
• experience with data analysis using R or related program languages;
• experience with plant-microbe interaction;
• fluent in English, both written and spoken.
Our offer

We offer a temporary employment contract for 38 hours per week for a period of one year. Upon a good evaluation this will be extended with another 2 years. The preferred starting date is 1 September 2025. The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 3,378 to € 5,331 (scale 10). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Researcher, scale 10 is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.