Jobs

Job description 

We are seeking two highly motivated postdoctoral researchers to join our research team based in the Van de Peer lab, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Zhen Li, Assistant Professor at Ghent University/VIB Staff Scientist.

The two positions are funded through an FWO research grant awarded to Prof. Dr. Zhen Li and will focus on the evolutionary significance of gene loss in shaping plant adaptation, speciation, and biological innovations. 

This project aims to redefine our understanding of gene loss alongside gene gain in plant evolution, focusing on developing novel genomic approaches to analyze gene loss across diverse plant lineages and their evolutionary consequences. To this end, the initial focus will be developing a novel genomic approach integrating homolog identification and multiple genome alignment to identify gene loss in plants and investigating its links with species divergence and adaptive traits in various plant clades, e.g., Orchidaceae, Poaceae, Solanaceae, Brassicaceae, and Fagales.

Research Focus

While the two positions will work closely together and share many responsibilities, they have slightly different initial focus areas:

Position 1: Computational Genomics and Method Development

• Develop novel genomic frameworks for detecting gene loss in plant genomes
• Implement approaches to distinguish DNA deletion from pseudogenization
• Analysis of gene loss patterns across diverse plant lineages
• Explore graph-based algorithms for multiple genome alignment and ancestral karyotype reconstruction

Position 2: Evolutionary Analysis and Network Biology

• Analysis of cross-species/-ecotype co-expression and gene regulatory networks
• Study of molecular mechanisms underlying how gene loss affects biological network rewiring
• Integration of phenotypic data with omics analysis
• Explore machine learning and network analysis methods

Profile

Essential 

• A PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Evolutionary Biology, or related fields
• Strong programming skills in Python, R, and experience with Linux environments
• Demonstrated experience in processing and analyzing large-scale genomic and transcriptomic datasets
• Strong publication track record in evolutionary biology and/or network biology
• Excellent communication skills and fluency in English (written and verbal)
• Willingness to learn new methods and tackle scientific challenges with creativity and rigor
• A good balance between working in a team and working independently
• You are an enthused team player who is open and respectful to other cultures, opinions and ways of life 

Desirable but not required 

• Experience with machine learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, Tensorflow, Keras)
• Experience with graph algorithms and network analysis
• Experience with explainable AI (e.g., SHAP)
• Experience with high-performance computing and software containers
• Experience with software development tools (e.g., git, Nextflow) 

We offer

The VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology is a world-leading science institution in Ghent, Belgium. Ghent University is among the top 100 global universities according to several international rankings.

• A fully funded, full-time postdoctoral position for one year (with possibility of a two-year extension after positive evaluation) in a stimulating and supportive international research environment
• Access to state-of-the-art tools and computational infrastructure, including CPU/GPU clusters
• Opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in plant evolution and genomics
• Support for attending international conference and developing professional networks
• Comprehensive training in academic, technical, and career skills through VIB and Ghent University
•  The position appointment start date is as soon as possible. 

How to apply? 

Motivated candidates are asked to apply online via the VIB application procedure.

A complete application file (English) should contain the following documents:

• A cover/motivation letter (max. 2 pages) stating career goals, experience, and how these relate to your preferred position 1 and/or 2
• A detailed CV, including a list of your scientific publications
• Contact information of at least two academic references 

For more information or inquiries about the position, mail to zhen.li@psb.vib-ugent.be

Het VIB-UGent Centrum voor Planten Systeembiologie wil inzicht krijgen in hoe planten groeien en reageren op de omgeving. Hun wetenschappers bestuderen hoe bladeren en wortels worden gevormd, welke micro-organismen er op en rond de plant leven en welke stoffen planten aanmaken. Ze brengen de genetische verscheidenheid van het plantenrijk in kaart. Deze kennis kan leiden tot duurzame innovaties in landbouw en voeding.

Wij zijn op zoek naar administratieve ondersteuning.

Wat ga je doen?

Je staat in voor diverse administratieve taken binnen het onderzoekscentrum:

• Back-up van het onthaal (balie) 
• Back-up internationale verzendingen (TNT, DHL, FEDEX)
• Administratieve ondersteuning bij de organisatie van lezingen, events en andere activiteiten
• Opvolging stagecontracten met de hogescholen in Vlaanderen

Jouw profiel

• Je bent vertrouwd met het uitvoeren van administratieve taken.
• Je spreekt vlot Nederlands en Engels.
• Je bent hulpvaardig ingesteld en houdt er van om met anderen samen te werken.
• Je hebt organisatorisch talent, in het plannen, uitvoeren en opvolgen van administratieve taken.
• Je bent drukbestendig en kan je aanpassen aan wijzigende omstandigheden.
• Je toont een professionele houding naar alle medewerkers van de dienst, in een internationale en diverse omgeving.
• Je bent nauwgezet, ook bij verhoogde druk blijf je kwaliteitsvol werk afleveren.

Wat bieden wij jou?

• Een gevarieerde en boeiende job in een internationale academische onderzoeksomgeving.
• Een deeltijdse tewerkstelling (50%) van onbepaalde duur met marktconform salaris en diverse bijkomende voordelen.
• Deze part-time aanstelling vertaalt zich in een werkrooster van maandag tot vrijdag van 8h15-12h15.
• Startdatum: 1/08/2025

Wij voeren een modern en dynamisch personeelsbeleid, met bijzondere aandacht voor de ontwikkeling van onze medewerkers en voor het evenwicht tussen hun job en hun privéleven. We hebben oog voor de belangrijke maatschappelijke thema’s van vandaag: we voeren een beleid binnen een sociaal en ecologisch verantwoordelijk kader en we beschouwen diversiteit als een rijkdom voor onze gemeenschap.

Interesse?

Gemotiveerde kandidaten worden gevraagd om online te solliciteren via de VIB online sollicitatietool en een CV en motivatiebrief te uploaden.

Solliciteren kan tot 15 mei. Voor meer informatie kan je contact opnemen met Christine Tiré.

About the labs involved 

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/), 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.

The Vascular Development group (https://www.derybellab.be), studies plant vascular development at the interface between developmental biology, cell biology and evolutionary biology. We like to implement novel omics technologies such as single cell approaches and chemical biology to help us answering our biological questions.

The Brassinosteroid group (https://www.russinovalab.be) studies the function of brassinosteroid hormones in stomatal development, focusing on mechanisms of signal integration between brassinosteroid and stomatal signalling pathways. Currently, the group explores how GSK3-like kinases, key negative regulators of brassinosteroid signalling, achieve signalling specificity through scaffold proteins using single-cell, cell biology, and proteomics approaches.

The Advanced Live Cell Imaging group (https:www//vandammelab.be) studies endomembrane trafficking in Arabidopsis, with a strong focus on clathrin-mediated endocytosis. In the framework of this project, the Van Damme lab is interested in how the interplay between the various secretory carrier membrane proteins (SCAMPs) and the various types of plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs) controls stomatal dynamics.

For this project, the PSB labs will collaborate with the Gevaert lab of the neighbouring VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology (https://gevaertlab.sites.vib.be/en#/). One of the Gevaert lab’s research interest is low-input to single-cell, mass spectrometry-based proteomics, for which they have swift access to state-of-the-art instruments. They are particularly interested in pushing the boundaries of this emerging research field by zooming in on protein modifications as well.

Background information 

The stomatal lineage represents an ideal model system due to the wealth of information on both development and the dynamic changes due to environmental conditions; and the availability of many stage-specific marker lines and scRNA-seq data. There is however great variability in stomatal responses, even in a single leaf under stress conditions where subsets of stomata close while others remain open. Currently, there are no markers to distinguish between these different stomatal populations. We therefore ultimately need single cell resolution to understand the dynamic changes in protein abundance and – ideally – in protein phosphorylation events in stomata during stress responses. 

Job description 

The consortium of labs 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 applicant will be tasked with mapping the dynamic changes in the stomata (phospho)proteome through low-input proteomics and single-cell mass spectrometry-based proteomics. First under control conditions to establish the methodology and, secondly, under abiotic stress conditions.

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 a critical mindset.
• You look forward to the collaborative environment and interaction with multiple teams. You are comfortable with coordinating a project between labs.
• You are proficient in the use of the English language for both oral and written communication. 

Desirable but not required 

• Experience with (low input or single cell) mass spectrometry-based proteomics. 
• A publication record in peer-reviewed journals in the field of life sciences’ is an asset. 
• You are eligible and willing to apply for Marie Curie and/or EMBO postdoctoral fellowships. 

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 year postdoc position, with the possibility to extend for 1 year
• 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: Fall 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.

Overview

The group of Specialized Metabolism, led by Prof. Alain Goossens at the VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology, and the metabolic engineering research group, led by Prof. Marjan De Mey at the Centre for Synthetic Biology and located at the UGent Faculty of Bioscience engineering, are looking to recruit 1 junior postdoctoral researcher within the frame of a collaborative project.

The Goossens lab focuses on the characterization of plant signaling networks that steer plant specialized metabolism within tightly regulated fitness programs, in particular those modulated by stress hormones. Their findings aim to unlock plant specialized metabolism for numerous human applications given these serve as a novel resource for engineering tools that will facilitate 1) the creation of (plant-based) synthetic biology platforms for the sustainable production of high-value plant metabolites and 2) increased crop productivity by improvement of plant fitness in a changing environment. The research of the De Mey lab is situated at the forefront of industrial biotechnology, metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. They focus on the development of standardized, automatable, and generic tools and technologies and the creation of fundamental knowledge on key metabolic processes, envisioning a considerable reduction in the cost of biotechnological production processes and the acceleration of their development. 

Job description

The research is a collaborative effort between both labs to explore plant-fungi interactions mediated by specialized metabolites. Beyond their role in chemical communication, these metabolites hold significant potential for applications in agriculture and human health. However, many remain undiscovered, as their biosynthesis is often inactive under laboratory conditions. Our goal is to uncover these novel metabolites using metabolomics and synthetic biology. This will involve advanced technologies such as (un)targeted metabolite profiling, bioactivity assays, and CRISPR/Cas-based gene editing in fungi to identify and characterize these compounds. Additionally, microbial cell factories will be engineered for metabolite production through pathway engineering and dynamic pathway control. The postdoctoral scientist will occupy a key position in the collaborative project, being (1) responsible to launch and conduct groundbreaking science within the project, (2) active at both the partners labs and (3) involved in the mentoring of PhD students co-hired on the project.

For this exciting project, we seek talented and motivated candidates with experience in fungal biochemistry, molecular biology, and/or biotechnology. A strong interest and hands-on experience in microbial metabolism, metabolomics, and/or synthetic biology are highly desirable. We offer a competitive international research environment with access to cutting-edge infrastructure and services.

Profile

Essential 

• You have a Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Bio-engineering, Plant Biotechnology, Microbiology or equivalent
• You have maximum 3 years of postdoctoral research experience
• You’re fascinated by the organization of metabolism in plants and/ or microbes, metabolites and/or synthetic biology
• You can plan and conduct research independently and accurately
• You can take initiative, function well in a team, breath enthusiasm and have a hands-on mentality, perseverance and critical mind-set
• You have excellent interpersonal skills, to work effectively with team members from different backgrounds and in different research areas
• Proficient use of the English language for both oral and written communication is a must

Desirable

• International experience from PhD and/or postdoc research in plant or microbial metabolism, metabolomics, and/or synthetic biology is an asset, as well as a publication record in peer-reviewed journals showing expertise in these areas.
• Experience in guidance of master and/or PhD students is an asset.

We offer

• A full time competitive salary for a postdoc position for 3 years, according to the Belgian law, with possibilities to extend beyond that term
• An exciting and innovative project embedded in a multidisciplinary consortium
• Access to state-of-the art tools and infrastructure within an excellence-based academic research institute
• A stimulating and supportive international research environment
• Various training opportunities to broaden your expertise and skills, including training and mentoring in scientific writing
• Opportunities to attend scientific conferences and workshops

How to apply?

If you are interested in discovering and studying novel bioactive fungal metabolites, please apply online via the VIB application tool (applications by email will not be considered).

Please include a single pdf in your application that combines the following elements:
• a detailed CV (including publication list if applicable)
• a one-page summary of past research activities (particularly in your PhD project)
• a letter describing your fascination for the topic and the Goossens/De Mey labs
• the contact information of two referees

The first review of applications will start immediately. A shortlist of applicants will be selected and invited for interviews.

The position is available from June 2025 onwards. Applications are welcome until the position is filled.