PhD position in modeling the mechanical regulation of plant development and regeneration Leiden University in Netherlands

Leiden University is offering a fully funded PhD position in the broad area of theoretical and mathematical biology, computational physics, applied mathematics, or computational science. The project sits within the GreenTE (Green Tissue Engineering) Gravitation programme, a multidisciplinary consortium of seven Dutch universities studying how plants sense and respond to mechanical stimuli. The long-term goal is to use these mechanobiology insights to support engineering interventions that improve plant regeneration, seed longevity, and disease defense.

The PhD researcher will develop and analyze two-dimensional and, later, three-dimensional models of plant development with mechanical feedback loops. The work focuses on how plant shape and size emerge from interactions between tissue- and organ-scale mechanics and cellular and molecular decision making. A major component is further development of the open-source VirtualLeaf package, which combines Hamiltonian descriptions of cell wall strain/stress and turgor pressure with biochemical ordinary differential equations. The models will use simulated data as well as 2D and 3D imaging data from model plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana and Ceratopteris. At a later stage, the project may extend to 3D using VirtualLeaf3D, being developed in parallel by a postdoctoral researcher.

The position is embedded in the Multiscale Mathematical Biology team at Leiden University’s Faculty of Science and the Institute of Biology Leiden, and it is also connected to the qBioLeiden quantitative biology initiative. The successful candidate will work closely with experimental collaborators across the GreenTE consortium, including the group of Prof. dr. Dolf Weijers at Wageningen University, and will interact with PhD students performing mechanical interventions such as stretching, squeezing, and poking of embryos and roots. The role includes publishing in scientific journals, writing a PhD thesis, co-teaching relevant courses, and contributing to student supervision.

Leiden University seeks candidates with a master’s degree in applied numerical mathematics, computational/theoretical physics, theoretical biology, computer science, or a related field. Applicants should have strong English writing and speaking skills, good scientific writing ability, the capacity to work independently in a multidisciplinary setting, and experience in numerical mathematical modeling such as vertex-based or Cellular Potts models, particle-based simulations, PDEs, or FBA. Programming skills in C++ or a related language are expected, together with a strong interest in plant cell and developmental biology.

The appointment is initially for one year and, after a positive evaluation, can be extended for another three years. The salary is €3,204 to €4,051 gross per month for a full-time 38-hour appointment, plus a holiday allowance, end-of-year bonus, pension scheme, commuting reimbursement, flexible leave, and other employment benefits. Applications received before 15 September 2026 will be given full consideration. The planned start date is fall or winter 2026, with flexibility.

To apply, candidates should use the application button on the Leiden University jobs page and upload a motivation letter, updated CV, MSc transcripts, a copy or draft of the master’s thesis, contact details for one or two former supervisors, and examples of previously written code. For further information about the position, prospective applicants may contact Prof. dr. Roeland Merks at [email protected].