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Project

We are recruiting PhD students for a number of grant-funded projects that integrate different genomics and proteomics technologies across a range of applications in plant biology. Selected candidates will have their choice of projects depending on their background and interests. You will also be given the freedom to develop your own research projects within the themes below:

1. Dissecting the temporal & functional partitioning of Arabidopsis clock protein complexes using in-vivo interactomics: The circadian clock is a complex genetic circuit that allows plants to synchronize their internal oscillations in time with the planet’s daily rotation. We have recently discovered a new role for the plant circadian clock in measuring the duration of twilight (Mehta et al., 2024, Science Advances). In this project we will be developing and employing new interaction-proteomics tools to discover exactly how the clock transcription factor network controls plant biology in response to changes in the external environment. In the long-term this project’s insights will power our research in developing climate-change resilient plants. This project is well suited for candidates interested in protein biochemistry, transcription factor biology and gene regulatory networks. 

2. Circular DNA sequencing methods to study helitron transposons and their role in creating genetic variation: We have previously developed a long-read sequencing method called CIDER-Seq to sequence extra-chromosomal circular DNA (Mehta et al., 2020, Nature Protocols). Here, you would be using and further developing the CIDER-Seq method (both wet-lab and/or dry-lab) and applying it to discover the roles of helitrons, a type of transposon that can create new genetic variation in plants. In the long-term, this project seeks to create a system for programmable activation of helitrons to provide a new route to creating new crop germplasm. This project is well suited for candidates interested in long-DNA sequencing, as well as either or both molecular biology and the bioinformatics of sequence analysis.

3. Discovering how plant viruses interact with their insect vectors and plant hosts and cause disease: In this project we will combine our expertise in circular DNA sequencing, mass-spectrometry-based proteomics, plant virology, and entomology to study the life cycle of plant geminiviruses in unprecedented detail. Geminiviruses are highly damaging viruses causing enormous economic damage to the cultivation of both temperate and tropical crops. In this project you will work with the important tropical plant, cassava, and deploy cutting-edge interactomics tools to study protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions in cassava geminiviruses throughout their life cycle, from their uptake by their insect vector to subsequent infection in a naïve plant. The insights generated in this project will directly feed into applied research in the lab aimed at developing virus-resistant cassava plants. 

All the thematic areas above will equip you with a diverse skillset well suited for a number of career paths, including industry (mass-spectrometry, long-read sequencing), plant breeding & biotechnology (CRISPR-Cas9, plant pathology, phenotyping), or academic research. 

Profile

We seek a candidate with a Master’s degree (European or equivalent) in Biology, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, Synthetic Biology, Bioengineering, Biotechnology or other relevant degree for the project described above. 

A successful candidate will ideally:

• Demonstrate a strong ability to write and communicate in English

• Have some experience in molecular biology and/or biochemistry labs (any model system) (project-dependant)

• Intermediate programming or data-analysis skills or an interest in developing such skills (project-dependant)

• Be able to work well in a multi-disciplinary team

• Have good academic performance at the MSc and BSc levels

• Be eager to learn new techniques

• Be able to integrate in an international and diverse working environment

The anticipated start date is highly flexible within 2025. 

Offer

We offer you a full-time 4-year PhD position, pending a positive evaluation by the doctoral committee at the end of the first year. Remuneration will be according to the KU Leuven salary scales (https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/en/phd/phd-information#working-conditions) and includes generous benefits in addition to Belgium’s strong social benefits.

You will obtain advanced training in plant biology, genetic engineering, and experimental systems biology that will prepare you for a career in industrial or academic research. You will be closely mentored by Profs. Mehta and Vanderschuren as well as a close-knit, international, and diverse community of plant scientists within the Division of Crop Biotechnics. You will be given support to participate in European and international conferences and publish your science in respected scientific journals. In addition, you will be provided with career guidance and encouraged to develop skills for science-adjacent careers in policy or communication including through courses via the Arenberg Doctoral School (https://set.kuleuven.be/phd). The host labs also support the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and embrace Open Science (https://mehta-lab.com/policies).

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Devang Mehta, tel.: +32 16 37 21 46, mail: devang.mehta@kuleuven.be or Prof. dr. Hervé Vanderschuren, tel.: +32 16 37 62 45, mail: herve.vanderschuren@kuleuven.be.

You can apply for this job no later than May 15, 2025 via the  online application tool

Project

We are recruiting a postdoctoral researcher for grant-funded projects that integrate different genomics and proteomics technologies across a range of applications in plant biology. Selected candidates will have their choice of projects depending on their background and interests. You will also be given the freedom to develop your own research projects within the themes below:

1. Dissecting the temporal & functional partitioning of Arabidopsis clock protein complexes using in-vivo interactomics: The circadian clock is a complex genetic circuit that allows plants to synchronize their internal oscillations in time with the planet’s daily rotation. We have recently discovered a new role for the plant circadian clock in measuring the duration of twilight (Mehta et al., 2024, Science Advances). In this project we will be developing and employing new interaction-proteomics tools to discover exactly how the clock transcription factor network controls plant biology in response to changes in the external environment. In the long-term this project’s insights will power our research in developing climate-change resilient plants. This project is well suited for candidates interested in protein biochemistry, transcription factor biology, single-cell omics, and gene regulatory networks. 

2. Discovering protein-based regulation of helitron transposons and their role in creating genetic variation: Helitrons are a type of DNA transposon that can create new genetic variation in plants. In this project you will apply our CIDER-Seq technology (Mehta et al., 2020, Nature Protocols) and new in vivo interactomics technologies to discover the protein-DNA and protein-protein interactions that control the mobilization of helitrons. In the long-term, this project seeks to create a system for programmable activation of helitrons to provide a new route to creating new crop germplasm. This project is well suited for candidates interested in transposon biology and proteomics.

3. Discovering how plant viruses interact with their insect vectors and plant hosts and cause disease: In this project we will combine our expertise in circular DNA sequencing, mass-spectrometry-based proteomics, plant virology, and entomology to study the life cycle of plant geminiviruses in unprecedented detail. Geminiviruses are highly damaging viruses causing enormous economic damage to the cultivation of both temperate and tropical crops. In this project you will work with the important tropical plant, cassava, and deploy cutting-edge interactomics tools to study protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions in cassava geminiviruses throughout their life cycle, from their uptake by their insect vector to subsequent infection in a naïve plant. The insights generated in this project will directly feed into applied research in the lab aimed at developing virus-resistant cassava plants. 

All the thematic areas above will equip you with a diverse skillset well suited to build your own research line as an independent researcher. You will also be provided with mentorship from a team of senior and junior PIs with experience in both European and North American academia and close collaborator networks in Europe, North America, Asia and Africa to help you achieve your professional goals and secure an independent faculty/researcher position. 

Profile

We seek a candidate with a PhD in Biology, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, Synthetic Biology, Bioengineering, Biotechnology or other relevant topic for the projects described above. 

A successful candidate will ideally:

• Demonstrate a strong ability to write and communicate in English in the form of a well-written PhD thesis and/or at least one published, accepted, or pre-printed publication as lead author.

• Be eager to apply for an independent postdoc fellowship with the support of the PIs.

• Have experience in molecular biology and/or biochemistry labs (any model system) (project-dependant)

• Intermediate programming or data-analysis skills or an interest in developing such skills (project-dependant)

• Be able to work well in a multi-disciplinary team

• Be eager to learn new techniques

• Be able to integrate in an international and diverse working environment

The anticipated start date is highly flexible within 2025. 

Offer

We offer you a full-time postdoctoral scholarship in international mobility position for up to 3 years, pending a positive evaluation at the end of the first year. KU Leuven postdoctoral mobility scholarships are open to researchers who do not have more than 24 months’ work or study experience in Belgium in the 3 years prior to their starting date.

You will obtain advanced training in plant biology, genetic engineering, systems biology, and professional development that will prepare you for a career in academic research. You will be closely mentored by Profs. Mehta and Vanderschuren as well as a close-knit, international, and diverse community of plant scientists within the Division of Crop Biotechnics. You will be given support to participate in European and international conferences and publish your science in respected scientific journals. The host labs also support the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and embrace Open Science (https://mehta-lab.com/policies).

https://mehta-lab.com

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Devang Mehta, tel.: +32 16 37 21 46, mail: devang.mehta@kuleuven.be or Prof. dr. Hervé Vanderschuren, tel.: +32 16 37 62 45, mail: herve.vanderschuren@kuleuven.be.

You can apply for this job no later than May 15, 2025 via the  online application tool 

Project

We are recruiting a postdoctoral researcher for a grant-funded project that integrates new genomics and proteomics technologies to discover how helitron transposons are activated and replicate in plants. You will also be given the freedom to develop your own research projects within the broader theme of the project. We have previously developed a long-read sequencing method called CIDER-Seq including a new sequence analysis pipeline to profile extra-chromosomal circular DNA (Mehta et al., 2020, Nature Protocols). In this project we aim to create a more quantitative and scalable data analysis system to analyse long-read sequence data generated by CIDER-Seq in order to discover the roles of helitrons in creating new genetic variation in plants. In the long-term, this project seeks to create a system for programmable activation of helitrons to provide a new route to creating new crop germplasm. This project will equip you with a diverse skillset and experience well suited for both academic and industrial R&D careers. You will also be provided with mentorship by a team of senior and junior PIs with extensive professional networks in Europe, North America, and Asia in both academia and industry (including biological software companies) to help you achieve your professional career goals. 

Profile

We seek a candidate with a PhD in Biology, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Biochemistry, Synthetic Biology, Bioengineering, Biotechnology or other relevant topic for the projects described above. 

A successful candidate will ideally:

• Demonstrate a strong ability to write and communicate in English in the form of a well-written PhD thesis and/or at least one published, accepted, or pre-printed publication as lead author.

• Be eager to apply for an independent postdoc fellowship and research grants with the support of the PIs.

• Have experience in biological data analysis software development and or advanced -omics data analysis.

• High-level programming or data-analysis skills including proficiency in Python or similar programming languages demonstrated by published software projects (e.g., public GitHub repos etc.).

• Be able to work well in a multi-disciplinary team.

• Be able to integrate in an international and diverse working environment.

The anticipated start date is highly flexible within 2025. 

Offer

We offer you a full-time postdoctoral scholarship position for up to 3 years, pending a positive evaluation at the end of the first year. 

You will obtain advanced training in plant biology, genetic engineering, systems biology, and professional development that will prepare you for a career in academic research. You will be closely mentored by Profs. Mehta and Vanderschuren as well as a close-knit, international, and diverse community of plant scientists within the Division of Crop Biotechnics. You will be given support to participate in European and international conferences and publish your science in respected scientific journals. The host labs also support the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and embrace Open Science (https://mehta-lab.com/policies).

https://vanderschuren-lab.eu

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Hervé Vanderschuren, tel.: +32 16 37 62 45, mail: herve.vanderschuren@kuleuven.be or Prof. dr. Devang Mehta, tel.: +32 16 37 21 46, mail: devang.mehta@kuleuven.be.

You can apply for this job no later than May 15, 2025 via the  online application tool 

Interested candidates with an exciting research idea are always welcome to contact Devang after researching the various external funding opportunities available in Belgium, for local and international scientists. Please send an email introducing yourself, mentioning an identified funding opportunity and with and attached CV to devang.mehta[at]kuleuven.be

See funding opportunities

The lab welcomes applicants who wish to join the lab who require support to develop scholarship/fellowship applications. If this describes you, please contact Devang by email with a C.V. and specific scholarships/fellowships you want to apply for.