A position for a PhD student is available at the Department of Experimental Plant Ecology (Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen; Prof. Hans de Kroon) on a project funded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (ALW-NWO) entitled ’How roots interact: Unravelling the key response mechanisms of plants belowground and their effects on community productivity’. The project will be carried out in collaboration with the Multitrophic Interactions Department of the Netherlands Institute of Ecology at Heteren (Prof. Wim van der Putten). The project will study root response mechanisms between species, as driven by nutrients, root exudates and soil biota using state-of-the-art chemical and molecular methodologies. These mechanisms are to explain the effects of species interactions on community productivity in mixed grassland communities. The project is well embedded in a number of other projects on plant root growth, and plant and soil community ecology, including a NWO-VENI funded post-doctoral project on biodiversity and community effects of species-specific root interactions (Dr. Liesje Mommer).

Requirements
You are an ecologist with interest in plant ecology, soil ecology, phytochemistry and molecular ecology. In addition, you should have excellent skills in manipulative experiments under controlled conditions, using advanced analytical chemical and/or molecular techniques. We expect you to master current concepts in ecology, in relation to your own work. Excellent skills in writing, communication and presentation are essential.

You have an MSc or comparable degree in plant ecology, plant biology or molecular ecology. In addition, you should have a good knowledge of experimental designs and statistics and demonstrated experience with molecular and/or chemical techniques. You have an excellent knowledge of English.

Organization
The research of the Institute for Water and Wetland Research (IWWR) is carried out by complementary and closely interacting research groups, which study the mechanism of adaptation of cells, organisms and ecosystems to stress. The coherent research conducted by these groups and their approximate positions in the IWWR are described below.

It should be noted that the research of most of the departments spans a considerable area within each field, and although they each have their own focused research goals, they provide essential opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. Traditionally, the research on stress response and adaptation of ecosystems has been the basis for most of the research carried out within the IWWR. It comprises research groups on plant and animal ecology, aquatic ecology, and environmental biology.

Website: http://www.ru.nl/iwwr

Conditions of employment
Maximum employment: 1,0 fte
Maximum salary per month, based on a fulltime employment: € 2,612 gross/month
Starting with €2,042 per month; the salary will increase to €2,612 per month in the fourth year. PhD scale.

Additional conditions of employment
You will be appointed as a PhD student for a period of four years. Your performance will be evaluated after 18 months. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years.

You will be appointed and based at Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands, but part of the work will be carried out at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology at Heteren. The appointment will be for four years in case of a full-time appointment, under the general conditions for PhD students at Dutch Universities.

Other Information
Letters of application should be written in English, and include a statement of interest, CV, publication list (if applicable) and names and addresses of at least two references.

Additional Information
Prof.dr. H. de Kroon
Telephone: +31 24 3653380
E-mail: H.deKroon@science.ru.nl

Prof.dr. W. van der Putten
Telephone: +31 26 4791203
E-mail: W.vanderPutten@nioo.knaw.nl

Application
You can apply for the job (mention the vacancy number 62.19.09) before 6 May 2009 by sending your application -preferably by email- to:

RU Nijmegen, FNWI, P&O, mr. M. Frieling
P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, NL
Telephone: +31 24 3652294
E-mail: pz@science.ru.nl