His research focuses on plant-microbe interactions. Various microbes can contribute to a plants health by enhancing their mineral uptake or promoting its growth. But plants need to distinguish between these beneficial microbes from harmful microbes that cause diseases. Studying plants detection mechanisms that trigger their immune systems is an essential step to create crops that are more resistant to diseases.

De Jonge obtained his PhD at Wageningen University in 2012. He earned the Hugo de Vries award for best PhD thesis in the field of botany.