Applied Plant Research

As one of the leading countries in plant production, the Netherlands is a popular base for many head offices of global seed companies. In this programme, you will conduct a real-life research project with a small team of students, commissioned by a plant breeding, plant production or plant health company. Statistics and trial design classes will support you in your experiments.

You will take classes in Plant Physiology & Photosynthesis, Plant Breeding, Plant & Soil Health, Statistics and Experimental design, among others. The curriculum includes several visits to plant breeding companies and other classes to help you develop soft skills such as communication and presentation.

Aspiring students must have finished their first year of a Dutch higher education programme (hbo) and have additionally obtained at least 90 ECTS from year 2 and 3 in a study programme related to biology. In addition to basic knowledge of biology and research, we expect the following knowledge and skills:

• The student must have knowledge of the fundamentals of Mendel genetics, plant taxonomy, photosynthesis, plant hormones, plant water transport and gas exchange and basic knowledge of plant health and life cycles of plant pathogens.
• Regarding statistics and data analysis, the student must be familiar with the following concepts: standard deviation, elementary probability distribution, normal distribution including confidence intervals, sample size and testing on the mean, binomial confidence intervals and sample size, chi-square test and analysis of variance.
• The student must have proven affinity with the field of plant biology through work experience or internships at an undergraduate level. 
• The student can independently plan and organise their work and work in a team. As a minimum, the student has attained level B2 in reading and listening and level B1 in writing and speaking.

You will be invited for an interview to explain your motivation and past experiences.