Scholarships Source

The main task of the PhD student will be to study marker-trait associations, i.e. to generate molecular marker linkage maps, to identify major QTL for resistance through in depth statistical analysis of molecular marker and resistance data, and to survey the impact and robustness of these QTL across genetic backgrounds making use of and further establishing innovative software of Wageningen-UR. An additional main task is to generate the molecular marker infrastructure needed for the directed genotyping of any strawberry genotype, which includes compiling a core set of SSR-markers that cover the strawberry genome, the design of robust multiplexes, and protocols for the interpretation of PCR amplicon quantities into allele dosages. Once linked markers to QTLs have been identified, such markers will be converted to robust, easy to use SNP markers which will be used in the breeding process.
The candidate will work in a team of various nationalities and will regularly supervise students and guest workers and will present results of the project at international symposia. The candidate should preferably start no later then December 1st.

University Graduate
M.Sc. or equivalent in plant sciences or plant breeding with knowledge of and experience with molecular marker techniques and quantitative analysis of data, affinity with data management. Proficiency in English is required (a TOEFL test will be part of the selection procedure).

Additional information about the job:
The project aims to set up and use Marker Assisted Breeding for resistance to the soil borne pathogen Phytophthora cactorum in the cultivated strawberry. The project will make use of innovative QTL mapping approaches that were recently developed at Wageningen-UR, allowing integrated analysis of multiple segregating populations, cultivars and breeding lines that are linked by their pedigree. The cultivated strawberry has a complex genome structure, (octoploid and amphidiploid), due to which quantitative data analysis is expected to be critical. This PhD project takes place in the frame work of the Technological Top Institute Green Genetics (TTI-GG), a public-private consortium and an initiative of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality and the Dutch plant breeding and cultivation industry.

Wageningen University and Research centre

Wageningen UR Plant Breeding. Wageningen UR Plant Breeding is the integrated research group of the PRI business unit Biodiversity and Breeding and the Laboratory of Plant Breeding of Wageningen University.

Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 4 years with a trial period of 18 months

Additional conditions of employment:
Estimate maximum salary per month € 2000,- in the first year rising to € 2558,- Duration of the contract: a period of four years with “a trial period” of 18 months.

Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:

Prof.dr. R.G.F. Visser
Telephone number: +31 317 482836
E-mail address: richard.visser@wur.nl

Dr. W.E. van de Weg
Telephone number: +31 317 481056
E-mail address: eric.vandeweg@wur.nl

Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links.

You can apply for this job before 01-10-2008 by sending your application to:

When applying for this job always mention the vacancy number AT: DPW 08-39.

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