Research Trainee Programme 2025 – Genomic selection for photosynthesis (GSP)

Are you a highly motivated MSc student or MSc graduate with a passion for plant sciences and an interest in a scientific career? Would you like to learn more about performing your PhD research and explore the field of genomic selection for photosynthesis? Then apply now for the JII Research Trainee Programme 2025!

Who are we?

The Jan IngenHousz Institute (JII) is a philanthropically funded, open science institution dedicated to improving photosynthesis to enhance global crop production. Our goal is to contribute to global food security in the face of climate change, biodiversity challenges, and human population growth. Our ambition is to unravel the secrets of photosynthesis under real-life conditions by developing a platform of sensors, research methods and analysis, to gain fundamental knowledge that enables the global collection and analysis of real-time field measurements of crop photosynthesis. Our team consists of engineers, data scientists, biochemists, biophysicists, geneticists, plant physiologists and breeders, working collectively at national and international levels. The JII is located at the campus of Wageningen University & Research and collaborates with many universities worldwide.

Research background

Photosynthesis is the most critical of plant processes for biomass accumulation and it is one of the last remaining crop traits to be substantially improved. Crop photosynthetic performance is determined by a range of underlying biochemical and biophysical processes in interaction with dynamic environmental conditions at cell, leaf and plant level. We have previously shown that there is a plethora of quantitative trait loci conferring genetic control for each of these processes, illustrating the potential to genetically improve photosynthesis. The Genetics of Photosynthetic Limitations research program at JII aims to develop methods to leverage genetic variation to pinpoint and resolve photosynthetic limitations under dynamic environmental conditions.

What will you do?

You will explore different ways in which genomic selection can be used for photosynthetic improvements. You will collect, read and understand current scientific literature on the topic and identify key research questions to address in a PhD research. If needed, you will do small preliminary experiments to support your ideas and suggestions. Ultimately, you will prepare a PhD research proposal that will be submitted for internal assessment for funding.

To enable fast method development, the PhD research proposal will be developed for Arabidopsis thaliana, with the possibility of extending this into barley or potato. You will work with experts of the JII and the Biometris and Laboratory of Genetics groups of Wageningen University and Research. We will prepare you for a PhD position at the intersection of statistics, quantitative genetics, photosynthesis and physiology, and high-throughput phenotyping, such as available at the Netherlands Plant Eco-phenotyping Centre (NPEC).

Who are you?

• You have (nearly) completed an MSc in the field of plant sciences, plant biology, or alike.

• You have a strong background in statistics, quantitative genetics and experience in using R and/or Python, and preferably you are well-familiar with genomic selection procedures.

• You have ample hands-on experience in growing plants for scientific research experiments.

• You are available for a full-time traineeship position from October 1st 2025 to March 31th 2026.

• You are fascinated to study fundamental biological processes and eager to learn more about photosynthesis, the most important biological process on Earth.

• You have a proactive research attitude, and you enjoy working in a solution-oriented manner, you are motivated to keep learning and to contribute to the JII’s ambitions.

• You are proficient in English, and you are looking forward to work in an international research environment, where English is the primary language.

• What do we offer?

• A 6-month full-time traineeship position, at 38 hours per week, in scale 7 step 1 of the NU collective labour agreement (€2.925,-). Although the JII is not covered by a collective labour agreement, we follow the salary scales of the Netherlands Universities (NU) agreement.

• You will receive an 8% holiday pay and an 8.3% year-end bonus.

• The opportunity to write and submit your own PhD proposal. If funded you can start your PhD position during or after the 6-months Traineeship.

• An intellectually stimulating and challenging working environment.

• You will contribute to building an institute with significant societal relevance.

• You will get strong support to develop your own research directions and build your career in science, including publications and development of research proposals.

Response

If you have questions about this position, you can contact Alexander Laarman, Operational Director, alexander.laarman@jii.org. Send your CV and a short summary of motivations and experience in an email containing the header “Research Trainee Programme GSP” to hrm@jii.org by September 7th, 2025.