Jobs

The VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology (PSB, www.psb.vib-ugent.be) is a world-leading plant science institute with the mission to integrate genetics, genomics and computational biology to unravel the biology of plants and to improve the sustainability and climate resilience of crops. The Maere lab at PSB (http://www.maerelab.be) is active in the fields of computational biology, systems biology and evolutionary genomics. Current research topics include testing a novel experimental setup to unravel the molecular wiring of plant phenotypes under field conditions, studying dosage balance-sensitive genes in plants, and modeling the evolution of transcriptional systems in silico. We are currently looking for a talented PhD student to work on experimental evolution of diatoms in the context of a UGent GOA project (4-year position).

Project description

Diatoms are the most productive and species-rich group of microalgae. They have extensively colonized marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems, contributing 20% of all carbon fixation on Earth. Despite the global significance of diatoms, the genetic basis and regulatory mechanisms underlying their evolutionary and ecological success remain largely uncharted territory. Unraveling these mechanisms is crucial to assess how diatoms respond to climate change. In this project, we will experimentally evolve diatoms under selection for resilience against warmer temperatures, and chart the molecular mechanisms underlying diatom adaptation. For the experimental evolution part, we will collaborate closely with the lab of Wim Vyverman at UGent (https://www.ugent.be/we/biology/en/research/protistology).

Profile

• You have an MSc degree in Bioengineering, Biology, Biotechnology, Computational Biology or Bioinformatics.
• You are fascinated by biological evolution.
• Experience with diatom cultivation, experimental evolution and/or evolutionary genomics data analysis is a plus.
• You are fluent in English (spoken and written) and master several programming languages.
• You can work in a team as well as independently.
• You are meticulous, well-organized, responsible and self-critical.
• You take pride in delivering high-quality work.
• You have a passion for science and you can think outside the box.

We offer

• An exciting work environment in a top research institute.
• The opportunity to be part of a dynamic, interdisciplinary and international team.
• A challenging project in a competitive field of science.
• Ample opportunity to learn new skills.
• An attractive salary.

Please complete the online application procedure and include a detailed CV, a letter of motivation and the contact details of two referees. Applications are accepted until the position is filled. For more information, contact Steven Maere (steven.maere@psb.vib-ugent.be).

The VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology (PSB, www.psb.vib-ugent.be) is a world-leading plant science institute with the mission to unravel the biology of plants and use the insights gained to improve the sustainability of agriculture and the climate change resilience of crops. The Maere lab at PSB (http://www.maerelab.be) is active in the fields of computational biology, evolutionary genomics and plant systems biology. Current research topics include testing a novel experimental setup to unravel the molecular wiring of plant phenotypes under field conditions, studying dosage balance-sensitive genes in plants, and modeling the evolution of transcriptional systems in silico. We are currently looking for a talented postdoc to join our team in the context of the VIB Grand Challenge project ‘Validating the use of endemic rhizobia for sustainable soybean cultivation in Northwestern Europe’.

Project description

Soybean (Glycine max) is one of the most important protein sources in human food and animal feed. Europe is highly dependent on the import of soybean, often from (sub)tropical areas where soybean cultivation is one of the main drivers of deforestation. Establishing European soybean production at scale may not only help curtail deforestation in crucial ecosystems such as the Amazon, Cerrado and Gran Chaco, but would also reduce Europe’s dependence on soybean imports, reduce the associated carbon footprint and facilitate the ongoing transition to more plant protein and less animal protein in the European diets. Moreover, in symbiosis with nitrogen (N)-fixing bacteria (rhizobia) inside root nodules, soybean can manage its own N nutrition, reducing the need for N fertilization. In combination with a reduced import of soybean products (and the associated N) from overseas, local and circular soybean cultivation may help mitigating some of the N pollution issues in Europe. Although soybean is predominantly a (sub)tropical crop, soybean varieties that are better adapted to more temperate climates with cold springs, such as those found in Northwestern (NW) Europe, have already been bred. However, the current commercially available rhizobial inoculants needed to establish N-fixing nodules on soybean roots are based on non-endemic rhizobial strains that are poorly adapted to local environmental conditions, causing soybeans cultivated in NW Europe to have suboptimal and variable yield and protein content. The aim of this project is to assess whether using endemic rhizobia as soybean inoculants instead of exotic strains improves soybean yield, protein content and yield stability.

In the previous VIB Grand Challenge (GC) project ‘Soy in Flanders’ (https://sojain1000tuinen.sites.vib.be/en), we engaged 1000 citizens to grow soybean plants in their garden and trapped several endemic rhizobia that are able to nodulate soybean. In the present GC project, we will test the performance of the most promising of these endemic strains versus commercial strains in field trials and on farmers’ fields across Belgium. In each field, we will profile soil type, nutrient composition, soil and nodule microbiomes, nodule phenotypes, seed yield, seed protein content and biological nitrogen fixation for several combinations of soybean variety and rhizobial strain. Together with Steven Maere, you will be coordinating efforts across 8 participating labs from research institutes across Flanders. Additionally, you will be in charge of data integration and the construction of machine learning models to unravel which environmental factors influence rhizobial strain performance in the field.

Profile

• You have a PhD in Computational Biology, Biotechnology or Bioengineering.
• You have excellent project management and communication skills and you like to take initiative.
• You have solid expertise in machine learning, analysis of genomics data and data integration. Hands-on experience with microbiome data analysis is a plus.
• You are fluent in English (spoken and written) and master several programming languages.
• You found a good balance between working in a team and working independently.
• You are meticulous, well-organized, responsible and self-critical.
• You have a passion for science and you can think outside the box.

We offer

• A 3-year postdoc position with an attractive salary.
• An exciting work environment in a top research institute.
• The opportunity to be part of a dynamic, interdisciplinary and international team.
• A challenging project with high societal value.
• Ample opportunity to learn new skills.

How to apply?

Please complete the online application procedure and include a detailed CV, a letter of motivation and the contact details of two referees. Applications are accepted until the position is filled. For more information, contact Steven Maere (steven.maere@psb.vib-ugent.be).

About the Lab

The VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology (PSB) is a world-leading plant science institute located at the heart of a renowned plant biotechnology campus in Ghent, Belgium. Its mission is to unravel plant biological processes and translate this knowledge into value for society. The Functional Phosphoproteomics group (https://www.desmetlab.be/), led by Prof. Ive De Smet at PSB, tackles early temperature signalling in plants, such as the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and the crop plants wheat and soybean. To unravel this, we focus on dynamic changes in protein phosphorylation status, since temporary and reversible phosphorylation of proteins is essential in regulating various processes. Through a phosphoproteomics approach, the lab has identified potential key regulators of thermomorphogenesis in A. thaliana and wheat, which we started to functionally characterize (see, for example, Xu et al 2024 Nature Plants, Pan et al 2024 Plant Physiology, Zhu et al 2024 New Phytologist, Zhu et al 2021 Nature Communications, Vu et al 2021 Nature Communications).

Job description

The De Smet lab is looking to recruit 1 highly-motivated postdoctoral researcher, who will be involved in elucidating the underlying signalling mechanisms that play a role in regulating plant growth under a changing climate, especially high temperature. The postdoctoral research will explore the regulation of protein phosphorylation and stability, mainly in wheat, to reveal novel modes of action. The successful candidate will use a multidisciplinary approach, combining biochemistry (mass spectrometry-based approaches and others), cell biology (confocal microscopy), plant genetics (generating mutants and/or transgenic lines) and plant phenotyping (thermotolerance, stomatal movement, etc). Overall, the project will contribute to our understanding of how an environmental signal (temperature) is perceived by the plant and converted into developmental and physiological responses.

Profile

Essential

• You have an international PhD in (plant) molecular biology or biochemistry with max. 4 years of postdoc experience
• You are an expert in molecular biology, biochemistry and/or (plant) biotechnology
• You have guided (master/PhD) students and/or technicians
• You can take initiative, function well in a team, and have a hands-on mentality, perseverance and critical mindset
• You are proficient in the use of the English language for both oral and written communication

Desirable but not required

• Experience with proteomics, interactomics and/or confocal microscopy
• Experience with kinases and/or E3 ligases
• Experience with a crop, ideally wheat, will be to your benefit
• A publication record in peer-reviewed journals in the field of ‘animal and plant sciences’ is an asset
• You are eligible for Marie Curie and/or EMBO postdoctoral fellowship applications

Key personal characteristics

• You have a strong sense of responsibility, maintaining a clean working environment
• You can accurately compile and document experiments (using an ELN)
• You have a no-nonsense can-do attitude
• You build team interactions quickly
• You feel great in a fun team and add to that spirit
• You communicate clearly, candidly, and respectfully

We offer

• A 1+2-year postdoc position
• A multidisciplinary, highly stimulating and supporting international research environment at VIB and Ghent University (UGent)
• Access to state-of-the-art tools and infrastructure, including core facilities for proteomics
• Various training opportunities are organized at VIB to broaden your expertise and skills (training.vib.be).
• Tentative start date: Spring 2025

How to apply?

Submit your application through the VIB application tool. The call will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified.

Make sure that your application includes:

• A detailed CV
• A one-page summary of past research activities (e.g. in PhD/PostDoc projects)
• A one-page letter of intent describing your motivation for this position, how your research experiences and interests are aligned with those of the lab and research topic and future goals
• The names and contact details of 3 referees