"PhD Position - Mathematical Modelling of Plant Disease in Diverse Communities (ERC Advanced Grant DIGDEEP)"

We are looking for a bright, highly motivated PhD candidate to join our team within the prestigious ERC Advanced Grant project DIGDEEP. Biodiversity often reduces the risk of disease outbreaks, yet the scientific literature paints a conflicting picture. This project aims to reveal the ‘why?’ behind the variation in diversity-disease relationships. What mechanisms of pathogen transmission underlie such relationships? What is the role of host quality in communities for disease risk? We aim to contribute to fundamental science with real-world impact on sustainable agriculture and biodiversity restoration.

In DIGDEEP, we combine large-scale ecological experiments with epidemiological modelling to uncover general rules of disease transmission in plant communities. As our PhD candidate, you will take the lead on the modelling side.

Your Role

Develop and analyse spatial percolation models and related techniques to explore how pathogens spread—or fail to spread—across plant communities with different host quality compositions.

Derive general principles of pathogen transmission in diverse communities.

Formulate and test new hypotheses that bridge mathematics and ecology.

Collaborate closely with experimental ecologists to ensure your models are biologically grounded.

Write and publish scientific papers, culminating in your PhD thesis.

The team

You will be based in the Root Ecology team led by Prof. Dr. Liesje Mommer at Wageningen University, embedded in the Forest Ecology and Forest Management group of the Environmental Sciences Group. This vibrant, interdisciplinary team brings together senior and junior researchers working on plant–fungal interactions in diverse plant communities.

To strengthen the mathematical backbone of your work, you will collaborate intensively with: Prof. Remco van der Hofstad (Eindhoven University of Technology, expert in probability theory and percolation models), and Prof. Hans Heesterbeek (Utrecht University, expert in infectious disease dynamics and mathematical biology).

Together, we form a collaborative network of ecologists, epidemiologists, and mathematicians, aiming to deliver fundamental insights that pave the way toward more sustainable agricultural systems, healthier food production, and restored biodiversity. You'll be working at Wageningen University & Research, with regular visits to Utrecht University and Eindhoven University of Technology.

Requirements

We seek an outstanding candidate who is excited to bridge mathematics and biology. You bring: MSc degree in Theoretical Biology, Epidemiology, Applied Mathematics, or a closely related field; Proven experience in mathematical modelling and quantitative analyses, with a strong motivation to apply these skills to plant ecology; experience with programming and simulation is an advantage; Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to relate model structure to outcomes and interpret them in biologically meaningful ways; A collaborative, curious, and creative mindset; Fluency in English (written and spoken; minimally language level C1).

Conditions of employment

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights include: Partially paid parental leave; working hours that can be discussed and arranged for work-life balance; strong focus on vitality with sports facilities; a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%; excellent pension scheme. In addition, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and a course program tailored to your needs. The gross salary for the first year is €3,059 per month rising to €3,881 in the fourth year, based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.