Jobs
Description
We are looking for a highly motivated and talented machine vision / mechanical engineer to join our team at the VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology. The selected candidate will join the Nelissen lab, and will work alongside scientists to develop and implement a mobile 3D machine vision system for small plants.
The ideal candidate will have a background in mechanical, electrical or robotics engineering, and have expertise in building camera systems and computer vision. This role also involves working closely with the other members of the team on projects related to plant phenotyping (assessing e.g. plant body form, color, and landmarks). Therefore, we require a team player who also possesses the ability to work independently.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, plan and implement a 3D camera system for acquiring plant seedlings in the visible spectrum
- Design and programming of computer vision software to extract plant phenotypic data
- Catalyze the development of the system from prototype to user-friendly instrument
- Communicate with scientists to facilitate the experimental setup and the possible traits
- Contribute to a collaborative and productive team environment, participating in regular team meetings and discussions
- Adapt to the dynamic needs of the project, demonstrating flexibility and a proactive approach to problem-solving
Your profile
Essential
- Degree in Engineering or proven practical experience in the implementation of machine vision systems
- Fluent in English, for both written and oral communication
- Enthusiastic team player
- Openness to learn the basics of plant growth
Welcome but not required
- Experience in plant biology
- Interest or experience in image-based plant phenotyping
Key personal characteristics
- You are enthusiastic about scientific research and eager to know and understand
- You appreciate multi-disciplinarity for problem-solving
- You can work well in a team and independently
- You bring precision and critical reflection to your work
- You have a strong ability to multi-task and meet deadlines
- You enjoy other cultures and are respectful of others and their different ideas/opinions
Our offer
- 2 years staff position at VIB/UGent, a highly ranked research institute with a competitive pay scale and benefits (health insurance, sports facilities)
- A stimulating and supportive international research environment (with English as working language)
- A varied work schedule, with significant autonomy over how you plan your day
- Starting date is negotiable, but preferentially as soon as possible
- Various training opportunities to broaden your skills
How to apply?
Motivated candidates are asked to apply via the online VIB career platform (https://jobs.vib.be/apply/136069):
- Please upload your full CV
- Please upload a motivation letter
- Please add the contact details of at least two references
More information
Hilde.nelissen@vib.be
About us
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. We are currently looking for an expert in Machine Learning and AI to join our team. In collaboration with the plant scientists and computational biologists at PSB, you will develop AI methodology to streamline data acquisition and analysis workflows in the Center, and the integration of agentic AI therein.
Your profile
You have:
- a Master degree in engineering, computer science, mathematics or a related field
- a strong background in machine learning and AI (deep learning, LLMs, computer vision)
- strong proficiency in Python and Git, with high standards for software quality, verification, documentation and user-friendliness
- strong problem-solving skills, you can take ownership of complex technical topics and figure out adequate solutions in a timely manner
- experience in data management
- technical expertise in the integration of hardware, software and algorithms is a plus
- you have an interest in plant science and molecular biology
- you are fluent in English (spoken and written)
- you are meticulous, well-organized, responsible and self-critical
- you’re able to work autonomously while collaborating effectively
- you can support non-AI experts through knowledge sharing and technical guidance
- you can communicate effectively with people that have another expertise than your own
Our offer
- An exciting work environment in a top research institute with access to state-of-the-art imaging and high-performance computing facilities
- Challenging work in a rapidly evolving field
- The opportunity to be part of a dynamic, interdisciplinary and international team
- Ample opportunity to learn new skills
- A competitive salary package with benefits
How to apply
Please apply via the VIB online career portal (https://jobs.vib.be/apply/135248) 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 us
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. We are currently looking for an expert in Computer Vision, Image Analysis and AI to join our team. In collaboration with the plant scientists and computational biologists at PSB, you will develop solutions to extract information from a wide variety of biological imaging data using state-of-the-art computer vision and deep learning techniques.
About the role
Your role will include:
- analyzing image-based plant phenotyping datasets (RGB, hyperspectral)
- designing and optimizing data analysis workflows for automated imaging platforms in the Center
- mapping data from multiple (imaging) sensors into a shared domain (i.e. sensor fusion)
- developing quantitative methods for analyzing microscopy data
- deploying automated image analysis pipelines and making them accessible for non-expert users in the Center
- integrating agentic AI where useful in data analysis workflows
- contributing to scientific publications on computer vision innovations and the biological discoveries they enable
Your profile
You have:
- a PhD in engineering, computer science, mathematics or a related field
- a strong background and proven experience in machine learning and AI
- minimum 4 years of relevant experience in computer vision
- strong proficiency in Python and Git, with high standards for software quality, verification, documentation and user-friendliness
- strong problem-solving skills, you can take ownership of complex technical topics and figure out adequate solutions in a timely manner
- experience in data management
- technical expertise in the integration of hardware, software and algorithms is a plus
- experience with agentic AI, robotics and sensor fusion is a plus
- you have an interest in plant science and molecular biology
- you are fluent in English (spoken and written)
- you are meticulous, well-organized, responsible and self-critical
- you’re able to work autonomously while collaborating effectively
- you can support non-AI experts through knowledge sharing and technical guidance
- you can communicate effectively with people that have another expertise than your own
Our offer
- An exciting work environment in a top research institute with access to state-of-the-art imaging and high-performance computing facilities
- Challenging work in a rapidly evolving field
- The opportunity to be part of a dynamic, interdisciplinary and international team
- Ample opportunity to learn new skills
- A competitive salary package with benefits
How to apply
Please apply via the VIB online career portal (https://jobs.vib.be/apply/135249) 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 us
The VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology (PSB) is a leading research institute dedicated to understanding how plants grow, adapt, and respond to environmental change. PSB aims to translate fundamental discoveries into sustainable agricultural applications and to enhance the climate resilience of crops.
This PhD position will be embedded in the Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Genomics group led by Prof. Yves Van de Peer, in close collaboration with the UGent Phycology Research Group led by Prof. Olivier De Clerck. Together, these groups combine world-leading expertise in genome evolution, polyploidy, and algal biology and evolution.
The candidate will join a highly collaborative and international research environment, with strong connections to major polyploidy initiatives, including the Polydiv2 and PI3 networks.
About the role
We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student to study the impact of genome duplication on volvocine algae, with a particular focus on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
The project will investigate how genome dynamics and environmental conditions interact to shape the evolutionary success of polyploids using:
- Experimental evolution approaches, including long-term laboratory experiments, strain maintenance, culturing, and phenotyping. These are labor-intensive and require strong commitment and planning.
- Molecular and genomic analyses, including sequencing data generation and interpretation
- Bioinformatics and statistical analysis, to characterize genome evolution, mutation processes, and adaptation patterns
The PhD candidate will progressively transition from intensive wet-lab experimentation in the early phase of the project towards increased involvement in data analysis, integration, and scientific writing in later stages.
The project offers a unique opportunity to work at the interface of evolutionary biology, genomics, and algal model systems, while contributing to a broader understanding of biodiversity, adaptation, and genome evolution.
Your profile
Essential:
- You have a Master's degree in Biology, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Microbiology, Bioinformatics or a related field.
- Strong background in evolution, genomics, and/or algal biology
- Willingness to combine wet-lab experimental work and computational analysis
- Basic knowledge of statistics and/or programming (R, Python, or similar)
- Strong motivation to learn new techniques across disciplines
- Ability to work independently as well as in a team
- You are fluent in English (spoken and written)
Desirable, but not required:
- Experience with microbial or algal culturing or experimental evolution
- Experience with next-generation sequencing data analysis
- Familiarity with bioinformatics pipelines
- Background in evolutionary theory and/or ecology
- Experience with data handling and statistical modeling
- Prior lab experience demonstrating ability to perform long-term experiments
Key personal characteristics:
- Highly motivated and curious, with a passion for fundamental research
- Perseverant and organized, able to handle long-term and labor-intensive experiments
- Analytical and critical-thinking, with attention to detail
- Flexible and eager to learn, especially in interdisciplinary contexts
- Collaborative, open to working closely with supervisors, technicians, postdocs, and students
- Resilient, able to deal with challenges inherent to experimental research
Our offer
- A fully funded 4-year PhD position at Ghent University (UGent) with an attractive salary.
- A challenging fundamental research project.
- Enrollment in the UGent Doctoral Schools, providing structured training and transferable skills development.
- Financial support for attending international conferences and specialized courses
- Access to extensive training programs, seminars, and career development activities through VIB and UGent
- A dynamic, international, and interdisciplinary research environment in a top research institute. Close supervision by experienced researchers and opportunities to collaborate broadly
How to apply
Please apply via the VIB online career portal: https://jobs.vib.be/apply/135354
Your application should include a detailed CV, a motivation letter, and the contact details of two to three referees.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will remain open until the position is filled.
For more information, please contact Quinten Bafort (Quinten.Bafort@UGent.be). Please note that applications submitted via email will not be considered; only applications submitted through the online portal will be reviewed.
https://vib.be/en/research-and-impact/research-centers/center-plant-systems-biology
https://vandepeerlab.sites.vib.be