PhD position: Modelling the evolution of antibiotic resistance evolution in spatially structured environments Laboratory of Genetics, Wageningen University, the Netherlands Job description Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections pose a growing global health problem. To understand and potentially predict the evolutionary trajectories towards antibiotic resistance, we need to know which resistant mutants can thrive. Currently, most knowledge of bacterial fitness effects of resistance mutations comes from laboratory experiments in mixed liquid cultures, whereas in reality bacteria typically live in spatially structured environments, such as biofilms. The fitness of resistant mutants then depends on local conditions, which vary, among others, due to changes in local drug concentrations caused by nearby bacteria that degrade or export the drug. A fully funded PhD position (four years when full-time employed) is available in our group for a theoretical biologist to work as part of an interdisciplinary project studying how spatial environmental structure affects the evolution of antibiotic resistance (supervised by dr. Hilje Doekes and prof. Arjan de Visser; full project proposal available upon request). You will develop spatially explicit models of bacterial growth, competition, and evolution under antibiotic pressure. Throughout the project, you will collaborate closely with a postdoc who will perform competition and evolution experiments in the lab. You will integrate experimental results in your models and produce model predictions that can be tested in the lab. Your duties and responsibilities will include: * developing and analysing mathematical and computational models; * engaging in model-experiment feedback; * communicating your results by delivering talks at (inter)national conferences and writing scientific manuscripts; * participating in undergraduate teaching and/or co-supervising thesis projects of BSc- and MSc-students. Qualifications We are looking for someone with a fascination for microbial evolution and a quantitative mindset. Close interaction between modelling and experiments is key to this project. The ideal candidate therefore has excellent communication skills and will enjoy the interdisciplinary collaboration. We also ask that you possess: * an MSc degree in computational biology, evolutionary biology, applied mathematics, or another relevant field; * some experience with computer programming; * affinity with the development of mathematical and/or individual-based models and their application to experimental results; * good command of the English language (both spoken and written). A PhD is a learning trajectory. If you do not yet have a track-record showing all the requirements but do have a strong motivation to acquire the skills necessary to make this project a success, we would like to encourage you to apply. Offer 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 euro 2.770 - per month rising to euro 3.539,- in the fourth year. 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. Employee benefits include * a fixed holiday bonus of 8% and December bonus of 8.3%; * working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance; * the option to accrue additional holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week; * reduced fees for the use of on-campus sports facilities; * partially paid parental leave; * excellent pension scheme. More info If you have questions about this position, please contact Hilje Doekes: hilje.doekes@wur.nl. For more info or to apply: https://www.wur.nl/en/vacancy/phd-position-modelling-the-evolution-of-antibiotic-resistance-in-spatially-structured-environments.htm "Doekes, Hilje" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)