PhD: Microscale Tracing of Molecules Driving Fungal Interactions in Soil

Your job

Do you want to uncover the hidden chemical language of fungi? Are you a highly motivated PhD candidate, interested in developing cutting-edge SERS microspectroscopy sensors to detect and characterize fungal secondary metabolites at single-cell scale? This PhD might be for you!

Soil fungi are key drivers of global carbon and nutrient cycling and among nature’s most prolific producers of secondary metabolites, many of which remain chemically and functionally uncharacterized. Uncovering the ecological roles of these compounds is essential for understanding how fungi interact across species and what influence those interactions have on ecosystem processes. This is why INTERSPEC is dedicated to establishment of novel experimental protocols for tracing of soil fungal secondary metabolites using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) microspectroscopy - a method that employs optical properties of gold nanoparticles for molecule specific sensing.

Within this highly interdisciplinary project, the PhD candidate will develop SERS-based strategies for targeted spatiotemporal detection and characterization of the fungal secondary metabolites, while closely collaborating with another PhD student and 2 postdocs also working within the project across the Netherlands and Sweden and contributing to a deeper understanding of fungal metabolic processes.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• isolation of individual interaction-specific compounds from soil fungal co-cultures and analysis of their molecular structures via spectroscopy methods;
• analysis of interactions between specific secondary metabolite compounds isolated from fungal co-cultures and Au nanoparticle-based SERS sensors;
• identification and application of strategies for SERS tracing of those metabolites in complex biological environment (including nanoparticle functionalization);
• spectral data analysis and interpretation;
• scientific writing.

You will work here

The research is embedded within the chair of Biophysics and member of the Microbial biochemistry in soils team, which is led by Dr. Milda Pucetaite.

Your qualities

You have experience in working with optical spectroscopy methods, particularly Raman (micro)spectroscopy. Knowledge and previous experience with applications of SERS, including metal nanoparticle synthesis, is a strong merit. Experience in working with biological samples is also a merit. You are independent and driven, and have good collaborative skills, particularly within interdisciplinary environment.

You also possess:

• a successfully completed (or soon to be completed) MSc degree in Chemistry, Nanoscience, Nanotechnology, Physics or related field that may also be deemed relevant to the project;
• strong communication skills in English, both written and spoken;
• strong teamwork spirit and commitment.

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.

We offer

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• Partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.

The gross salary for the first year is € 3,059,- per month rising to € 3,881,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is 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.

We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment.

Coming from abroad

Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account, dual career programs or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

Important information

For more information about the position, please contact Milda Pucetaite, Assistant Professor, via email: milda.pucetaite@wur.nl.

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Evelien Janssen, Corporate Recruiter, via email: evelien.janssen@wur.nl.

Ready to apply?

You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

To apply, please send the following documents (max. 3 pages in total ):

• Complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages);
• Motivation letter (max. 1 page).

The maximum length of the documents must not exceed 3 pages. If it exceeds, applications will not be considered. Additional files such as grades and transcripts are not required during this stage and will not be considered.

You can apply up to and including thursday September 3, 2026.

Additional information form

For this position, you must fill in a mandatory form which will allow us to have a comprehensive view of your qualifications and better assess your fit for it. You can access the form using the link below:

PhD: Microscale Tracing of Molecules Driving Fungal Interactions in Soil – Fill out form

Your prompt response will ensure that your application continues to move forward in the evaluation process. We assure you that the information provided will be kept confidential and used solely for this application process.

Welcome, safe, and valued

Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

We are

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.