Publisher
source

Wageningen University & Research

PhD in Insect Virology: Viral Manipulation of Caterpillar Behaviour in a Multidimensional Context Wageningen University & Research in Netherlands

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Molecular Biology

Funding

Fully funded PhD position. Gross salary is €3,204 per month in the first year, rising to €4,051 per month in the fourth year under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, based on a 38-hour full-time week. The position starts with an 18-month temporary contract, extendable for the remainder of the project subject to satisfactory performance. A tailored course programme and employee benefits, including an 8.3% year-end bonus and pension scheme, are provided.

Deadline

Nov 20, 2026

Country flag

Country

Netherlands

University

Wageningen University & Research

Apply for this position

Keywords

Molecular Biology
Biology
Entomology
Rna Biology
Neuropsychology
Bioinformatic

Suggested positions

Publisher
source

Wageningen University & Research

Country flag

Netherlands

Wageningen University & Research in Wageningen, Netherlands, is offering a fully funded PhD position in insect virology within the NWO Vici project “Invisible influencers: How hidden virus infections shape insect life.” The project investigates how resident insect viromes affect immunity, fitness, life-history traits and responses to incoming virus infections. The PhD researcher will define viromes in several lepidopteran species, study vertical virus transmission and transgenerational immune pr...

Molecular Biology
Biology
Entomology
+4 more

3 days ago

Publisher
source

Corette Wierenga

Radboud University

Country flag

Netherlands

Radboud University is advertising a PhD position in multisynaptic plasticity in dendrites . The project sits in neuroscience and biology , with a focus on dendritic plasticity and neurophysiology. The post is shared by Corette Wierenga , Professor of Neurophysiology at Radboud University, who appears to be the academic contact for the opening. The announcement explicitly says that early postdocs are welcome to apply , but the opening itself is a PhD position . No funding details, stipend amount,...

Biology
Neuropsychology
Physics

1 week ago

Publisher
source

John Innes Centre

Country flag

United Kingdom

PhD opportunity at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, United Kingdom, focused on RNA biology , plant biology , plant cell biology , molecular biology , plant genetics , advanced microscopy , quantitative image analysis , and bioinformatics . The project asks: Where does RNA go in the cold? It investigates the localisation of COOLAIR , a family of antisense long non-coding RNAs produced from the FLC locus, and how RNA spatial organisation changes during winter cold, fluctuating temperatures, and f...

Molecular Biology
Plant Biology
Biology
+3 more

2 weeks ago

Publisher
source

Erasmus MC

Country flag

Netherlands

PhD opportunity at Erasmus MC in a recently awarded UNRAVELMy project. The project focuses on drug target discovery using an omics approach , making it a strong fit for candidates interested in biomedical research, molecular biology, and data-driven discovery in health sciences. The post is looking for an enthusiastic PhD student . No further eligibility details, funding terms, or deadline are stated in the post itself. For more information and application instructions, use the linked page....

Molecular Biology
Biology
Medical Science
+1 more

1 month ago

Publisher
source

University of Amsterdam

Country flag

Netherlands

PhD position at the University of Amsterdam on the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving traumatic brain injury (TBI)-associated dementia . The project focuses on repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (rmTBI), long-term neuroinflammation, hippocampal dysfunction, memory decline, neurogenesis, astrogliogenesis, microglia activation, and conserved transcriptional programs in mouse and human hippocampus. The position is embedded in a collaboration between the Fitzsimons lab at the Swammerdam I...

Cell Biology
Computer Science
Molecular Biology
+13 more

3 weeks ago

About this position

Wageningen University & Research is offering a fully funded PhD position in insect virology in the Insect Virology group of the Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen, Netherlands. The project examines how covert virus infections in insect hosts influence baculovirus-induced manipulation of caterpillar behaviour, including hyperactivity and climbing before death.

The PhD researcher will compare behavioural manipulation across related and distantly related baculoviruses and lepidopteran hosts, investigate the role of the insect virome, and study molecular mechanisms in the lepidopteran central nervous system. Methods include insect and virus experiments, dissections, transcriptome, proteome and small-RNA profiling, GFP-labelled viruses, hybridisation, antibody labelling, microscopy, RNAi and CRISPR/Cas9. The researcher will also teach courses and supervise BSc and MSc students.

The project is part of the NWO Vici project “Invisible influencers: How hidden virus infections shape insect life,” led by Dr. Vera Ros, with supervision by Dr. Vera Ros and Prof. Monique van Oers. The position is embedded in the PE&RC graduate school and involves collaboration with international researchers.

Applicants should hold an MSc in biology or a related field and have experience in entomology, molecular biology and preferably insect behaviour, plus basic bioinformatics knowledge and strong English communication and scientific-writing skills. English proficiency at C1 level is expected.

The position is fully funded, with a gross salary of €3,204 per month in year one rising to €4,051 in year four, based on 38 hours per week. The initial contract is 18 months and may be extended for the project duration. Apply by 20 November 2026 with a maximum three-page CV and motivation letter, and complete the mandatory online information form.

Funding details

Fully funded PhD position. Gross salary is €3,204 per month in the first year, rising to €4,051 per month in the fourth year under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, based on a 38-hour full-time week. The position starts with an 18-month temporary contract, extendable for the remainder of the project subject to satisfactory performance. A tailored course programme and employee benefits, including an 8.3% year-end bonus and pension scheme, are provided.

What's required

Applicants must have a successfully completed MSc degree in biology or a related field; a solid background in entomology and molecular biology; preferably experience with experiments involving insects and insect behaviour; proven experience with molecular biological techniques; basic knowledge of bioinformatics; strong analytical and conceptual thinking; ability to work independently and collaboratively in an international multidisciplinary research team; excellent written and spoken English and experience with scientific writing. English proficiency at C1 level is expected, and an internationally recognised certificate may sometimes be required.

How to apply

Apply through the vacancy page using the Apply button; only applications submitted through the WUR website will be considered. Submit an up-to-date CV of no more than two pages and a motivation letter of no more than one page, for a total maximum of three pages. Complete the mandatory additional information form at https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/HYqHMXUW3u.

ApplyKite TwinLearns as you apply

Make your next move.

Prepare your application

Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.