PhD Position in the Role of Cell Identity in Shaping Plant Stress Responses

PhD Position in the Role of Cell Identity in Shaping Plant Stress Responses

• Faculty:
• Faculty of Science
• Department:
• Department of Biology
• Hours per week:
• 36 to 40
• Application deadline:

Passionate about plant stress responses, molecular biology, and bioinformatics? Join our lab as PhD candidate and investigate why unique plant cells respond so differently to the same environmental stimuli. You’ll gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge single-cell genomics and functional genomics to uncover the drivers of plant transcriptional responses to the environment. If you're eager to drive discovery in plants, we want to hear from you.

Your job

Due to their sessile nature, plants developed special strategies to timely respond and acclimate to a dynamic and challenging environment. When encountering stressful conditions, plants have the capability to undergo a complete transcriptional reprogramming to adjust their metabolism, growth, and development to acclimate and survive during environmental challenges. With the advent of single-cell technologies, we are now uncovering how these responses unfold at the cellular level. Interestingly, while core stress-perception mechanisms are often shared across tissues, the resulting downstream transcriptional responses remain highly cell-type specific.

This raises a fundamental question: how does the same environmental signal translate into distinct transcriptional programmes across different cell identities of the plant? In this project you will investigate how intrinsic properties of the cell identity enable these unique cell-type responses. Using state-of-the-art genomic tools, including single-cell sequencing and functional genomics, you will identify the drivers of this specificity. You will be responsible for developing cutting-edge genomic protocols, executing experiments, and analysing large-scale transcriptomic and epigenomics datasets. In addition to your research, you will communicate your findings through manuscripts and presentations, mentor BSc and MSc students, and contribute to teaching activities and academic outreach.

Your qualities

We are looking for a curious, driven, and creative new colleague. For the technical skills listed below, basic familiarity (gained through coursework, projects or internships) is sufficient. Demonstrable hands-on experience is welcomed but not required. We value your potential to grow and your enthusiasm for the science as much as your current technical proficiency.

• MSc degree (or nearing completion) in Plant Sciences, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, or any related plant biology field;
• Experience with working with omics data (e.g.. RNA-seq or ChIP-Seq);
• Experience with general molecular biology tools (e.g. cloning or genotyping);
• Experience with data analysis using R;
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Proficiency in written and spoken English;
• Proactive and collegial working attitude.

We consider it a plus if you bring the experience with one or more of the following:

• Arabidopsis transformation;
• chromatin profiling techniques (ChIP-Seq, ATAC-Seq, CUT&RUN or CUT&TAG);
• single-cell sequencing technologies;
• linux/bash.

Our offer

• an exciting and challenging project to investigate the mechanisms driving plant environmental responses;
• a position for 18 months, with an extension to a total of four years upon a positive assessment in the first 18 months;
• a gross monthly salary starting at € 3,059 in the first year and increasing annually up to €3,881 in the fourth year, based on full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

About us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Working at the Faculty of Science

You will join the newly established group of Dr Leonardo Jo embedded in the Plant Stress Resilience group within the Department of Biology. Our team of inspired and knowledgeable PhD candidates, technicians and staff will be happy to welcome you and support you throughout your PhD trajectory!

More information

For more information, please contact Dr. Leonardo Jo at l.jo@uu.nl or check our lab website.

Do you have a question about the application procedure? Please send an email to science.recruitment@uu.nl.

Apply now

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology.

If you are enthusiastic about this position, just apply via the "Apply now" button! Please enclose:

• a motivation letter outlining why this position interests you, your motivation for joining our team and what makes you a suitable candidate;
• your curriculum vitae;
• contact details for two referees

If this specific opportunity isn’t for you, but you know someone else who may be interested, please forward this vacancy to them.

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The application deadline is 10 May 2026.