PhD focusing plant soil microbiome -interactions in novel crops; REAPSOW consortium

Do you want to contribute to the protein transition and study biodiversity-positive and resilient cropping systems? Are you interested in investigating how novel protein crops interact with soil microbiomes and how these interactions support plant growth and soil functioning and provide resilience to extreme weather and climate events at different scales? Then this PhD position within the REAP2

SOW project might be for you!

We are seeking a PhD candidate to investigate how novel protein crops, namely quinoa, white lupin and aardaker, affect soil microbiomes and soil functions. The PhD position will focus on understanding how novel crops interact with their microbiomes, and evaluates the impact of inclusion of protein crops in existing crop rotations on soil microbes and plant-microbe interactions. Further experiments on climate resilience the microbes provide to these crops will be performed.

The approach will include on-farm observations, field experiments, controlled lab and greenhouse experiments and meta-analyses. Within this PhD position you will work closely with many other PhDs within the REAP2

SOW consortium by conducting field-work and experiments together.

Key responsibilities align with ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders but also across Universities and co‑design and execute experiments to study impacts of protein transition. This position is grounded in the soil microbiomes but work will be interdisciplinary and include societal questions on protein transition.

• Together with other project members, design and execute field experiments on the impact of protein crops on soil microbiomes and resilience to water stress
• Develop and perform controlled greenhouse and lab experiments to further estimate the role of microbiomes in climate resilience of the novel protein crops
• Perform a meta-analysis on microbiomes under protein-crops
• Participate in a larger consortium working with various disciplines and stakeholders on the design and transition toward protein cropping systems
• Write and publish your research in leading scientific journals and communicate your findings through your PhD thesis and broader societal outreach.

Leiden University is situated between Amsterdam (36 km) and The Hague (15 km) and was founded in 1575, making it the oldest university in the Netherlands. It houses around 35 000 students originating from 112 nationalities, facilitated by approximately 8 000 staff.

The Institute of Environmental Science (CML) at Leiden University offers a vibrant and supportive community of scientists committed to the challenges of sustainability. CML distinguishes itself for its attention to professional development in coordination with the interests of its scientists. As such, there are plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, expand your knowledge, collaborate across disciplines, and experiment in a friendly environment fully embodying academic freedom across all career levels.

The core focus of CML is to perform research and education in the interdisciplinary field of Environmental Sciences. CML focuses on the sustainable use of natural resources and preservation of natural capital and biodiversity. CML has a culture of mutual support and collaboration between researchers. CML has two Departments:
Industrial Ecology (CML‑IE) and Environmental Biology (CML‑EB). Presently, about 150 fte (including postdocs and PhDs) are employed  further collaborates with TU Delft and Erasmus University in the Leiden‑Delft‑Erasmus Centre for Sustainability (LDE‑CfS), and with the Naturalis Biodiversity Centre.

The Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) is positioned in the Faculty of Sciences. The Faculty of Science is a world‑class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are committed to expanding fundamental knowledge by curiosity and looking beyond the borders of their own discipline;

their aim is to benefit science and to make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future. The research carried…