Wageningen-China PhD studentship

We are looking for

We are looking for a PhD Student
Rice uses about 30% of the freshwater used for agricultural crops worldwide; exploring ways to reduce water use for rice production is therefore of great strategic value for sustainable crop production for the world facing water scarcity. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the plant characteristics that are required for good performance under water saving conditions. We recently received a research grant, with which this knowledge will be generated using a suite of physiological tools for both rice and wheat. Wheat will be used for comparison since this crop has a better water use efficiency than rice.

Two complementary approaches will be used to achieve this aim. In Approach 1, wheat, various types of cultivated rice (lowland, aerobic and upland rice), and wild rice species are directly compared for morphological and physiological characteristics. In Approach 2, molecular genetic analysis will be conducted to find mechanisms of drought tolerance within rice.

Using these two approaches, the whole project will comprise five tasks, to be carried out by five PhD researchers that will intensively interact to exchange insights, materials and data. It is expected that the physiological mechanisms that lead to the different behaviour of wheat and the various rice types and the underlying regulation will be unravelled. The physiological mechanisms, markers and genes and their functions revealed in this project will be of substantial value for breeders to select for new rice cultivars that have reduced water use at a level similar to wheat without yield penalty.

Of the five PhD candidates to be appointed, three will, with approximate 50% of their time, be based in rice-producing countries the Philippines, India and China.
We are looking for a motivated Chinese candidate to be placed in our partner institute ? Yangzhou University. This particular project will use Approach 1 to investigate whether there are different morphological, anatomical and physiological characteristics (for example, cuticle, stomata size and density, etc) between rice and wheat, and between different types of rice, and if so, whether these differences are responsible for drought tolerance of the crops

We ask

Suitable candidates should have, or are expected to obtain soon, an MSc degree in Plant Sciences or Crop Sciences with a multidisciplinary profile. Research experience in plant/crop physiology is an advantage. You should have a good command of the oral and written English language and a Certificate of English Proficiency is required (further info at: http://www.wageningenuniversity.nl/UK/informationfor/PhD+programmes/Application/). The successful candidate is expected to defend his(her) thesis in Wageningen University in four years.

Interested candidates should send a motivation letter, CV, BSc and MSc transcripts, names and email contacts of two references, and abstract of the MSc thesis (if available), to Dr. Xinyou Yin (Xinyou.yin@wur.nl).

We offer

The fellowship will cover your stay and research in both China and Wageningen and ? 1190,- per month

Wageningen UR (University & Research centre)

Delivering a substantial contribution to the quality of life. That's our focus?each and every day. Within our domain, healthy food and living environment, we search for answers to issues affecting society?such as sustainable food production, climate change and alternative energy. Of course, we don?t do this alone. Every day, 6,500 people work on ?the quality of life?, turning ideas into reality, on a global scale.?

Could you be one of these people? We give you the space you need.

For further information about working at Wageningen UR, take a look at www.jobsat.wur.nl.

Acquisition regarding this vacancy is not appreciated.

Don't forget to mention Nature jobs when applying.

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