PhD position - Modelling plant-microbe interactions

Welcome to Maastricht University!
The world is changing rapidly, and we are evolving with it. Your work makes a real difference here—whether you're exploring the future through research, inspiring students in the classroom, or contributing to everything that enables our education and science to thrive.

PhD position - Modelling plant-microbe interactions

Our goal: Advance our understanding of plant–microbe communication to support the development of more resilient crops.
Your colleagues: An international and interdisciplinary team of researchers at the Brightlands Future Farming Institute (BFFI) and Maastricht Centre for Systems Biology and Bioinformatics (MaCSBio).

About the position

Plants are constantly communicating with their environment. They sense light, water and nutrients, and they engage with a rich community of soil microbes. These microbes play a crucial role in stress tolerance, pathogen defence and plant productivity. In this PhD project, you will explore these interactions through computational modelling. You will not only study how plants and soil microbes influence each other, but also investigate symbiotic processes that help plants thrive. By developing and analysing multi-species models, you will contribute to a deeper understanding of how plants and microbes exchange information.

You will conduct your research within the interdisciplinary environment of BFFI and MaCSBio, both part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering of Maastricht University. Your main workplace will be the Brightlands Campus Greenport in Venlo, where you will join the Plant Computational Biology group led by Dr Ruth Großeholz. This group focuses on modelling and analysing plant development and physiological processes. You will be part of a diverse community that brings together expertise from academia and industry. Connecting these different perspectives will be essential for your success.

What you will do

• Develop and analyse multi-species computational models of the plant rhizosphere.
• Write a dissertation consisting of four scientific chapters on plant computational biology, systems biology and plant–microbe interactions.
• Present your work at international scientific conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
• Collaborate closely within an international and interdisciplinary research team.
• Contribute to teaching activities, such as supporting courses or supervising student theses.

What you bring

It’s not about ticking boxes – it’s about your perspective, ideas and drive. Do you recognise yourself in the following?

• A strong academic foundation – You hold a Master’s degree in computational biology, systems biology or a closely related field.
• Curiosity for plant–microbe systems – You are eager to explore how computational approaches can uncover complex biological interactions.
• Clear scientific communication – You communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
• An independent and motivated working style – You take initiative, enjoy learning and approach challenges with energy.

What we offer
At Maastricht University, you’ll work in an international, open, and engaged environment. We offer:

• A 12-month contract with the prospect of a three-year extension upon positive evaluation.
• A gross monthly salary between €3,059.00 and €3,881.00 (based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week).
• 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
• 29 vacation days (based on full-time), plus four additional days off (Carnival Monday and Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day).
• The option to accrue up to 12 extra days through compensation hours.
• Flexible working hours and the option to work partly from home, with commuting and internet allowances.
• A solid pension plan via ABP, company fitness options, and access to extensive UM sports facilities.
• A supportive academic community where your ideas and growth matter.
• An inspiring work environment at the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, located in the heart of Maastricht.

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Faculty of Science and Engineering  
At the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), we focus on themes such as circularity and sustainability, future farming, digitisation and (scientific) instrument development.  FSE's leading projects, like the Einstein Telescope Pathfinder, are sure to grab anyone's attention.  The faculty is a vibrant hub of education and research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS).  At FSE, over 450 staff members and 3700 students gather to explore e exciting interdisciplinary research and educational programmes. Feel welcome, be part of our team and put your brilliant mind to work!  

Maastricht Centre for Systems Biology and Bioinformatics
At the Maastricht Centre for Systems Biology and Bioinformatics (MaCSBio) we strive to perform cutting edge research in the interdisciplinary fields of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics. We aim to understand, simulate and manipulate biological systems using advanced mathematical and computational methods that can be data-driven, or biology-based. MaCSBio has been growing steadily since its foundation in 2015 and current research themes include Systems BioMedicine, Computational Neuroscience, and Systems Biology of Plants. We are closely involved in several Bachelor programs and host the 2-year Master in Systems Biology and Bioinformatics. Click here https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/macsbio for more information about MaCSBio.

FSE at the Brightlands Campuses  
Maastricht, Sittard-Geleen, Heerlen, and Venlo, the home of four creative Brightlands campuses, are bustling with 30,000 entrepreneurs, researchers, and students working diligently to solve global challenges. The Faculty of Science and Engineering is active on all four Brightlands campuses, and this is where our impact reaches its peak. To give you an idea of what is happening at each campus: Sittard-Geleen is home to the largest chemical site in the Euregion, while Venlo is a large hub for agri-food innovation. Maastricht is the site of the Health Campus, and Heerlen is the place to be for Smart Services.  

About Maastricht University
At Maastricht University, we collaboratively seek solutions to help move the world forward. We do this with 23,000 students and 5,000 employees across five regional locations, six faculties, and more than seventy research institutes. We encourage you to push boundaries and discover new opportunities – for yourself and for the world around you. Because real answers are found together.

Curious?
Would you like to know more about this position? Please contact Ruth Großeholz via ruth.grosseholz@maastrichtuniversity.nl

Interested?
Apply now – no later than 4 January 2026 – by submitting:

• A letter of motivation;
• A curriculum vitae, including name(s) of one or two people who can provide a recommendation;
• Higher education certificates (incl. courses taken and marks achieved).

The first round of interviews will take place at the end of January 2026.

We look forward to getting to know you!

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.