Postdoc position: plant synthetic promoter engineering (ERC funded)

Job title:

Postdoc position: plant synthetic promoter engineering (ERC funded)

Company

VIB

Job description

About VIB Center for Plant System Biology
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 Vandepoele lab (https://www.vandepoelelab.be/ [https://www.vandepoelelab.be/] ) is home to an enthusiastic, diverse and international group of researchers.
Ghent, the second largest city of Flanders, is a university city and cultural hub. Only half an hour away from Antwerp and Brussels by train, and centrally located in Europe, Ghent has a scenic yet cosy, well-preserved historical center and a lively multi-cultural atmosphere. Ghent and the greater region of Flanders is internationally-oriented and tech-minded with a strong biotechnology sector with spin-offs and start-ups, creating a natural home for researchers and their families. English is very widely spoken in the city and surrounding area.
Description
We are looking for a postdoctoral molecular biologist to decipher the regulatory code controlling gene expression in plants through the engineering and large-scale validation of synthetic promoters.
Within the ERC-funded multiCODE project, we aim to unravel how plants control gene expression across different tissues and stress conditions by combining single-cell genomics, artificial intelligence, and synthetic biology. Apart from shedding light on the fundamental aspects of transcriptional control, this project also opens new avenues for the design of climate-resilient crops.Your tasks
Supported by single-cell profiling and predictive artificial intelligence models, you will engineer synthetic promoters controlling context-specific gene expression in Arabidopsis.You will develop high-throughput (molecular) phenotyping methods to screen transcriptional activity of synthetic promoters in planta.
You will unravel the cis-regulatory code controlling context-dependent gene expression and use this information to edit natural promoters.You will work very closely together with your wet-lab colleagues for the generation of single-cell RNA-Seq data sets, the design of validation experiments, and phenotyping.You will work very closely together with your dry-lab colleagues for the design of synthetic promoters and data analysis.
What we are looking for
PhD in (Plant) Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or equivalentA publication record in peer-reviewed journals, and excellent proficiency in English for oral and written communications.Experience with bioinformatics and high-throughput approaches are desirable, but not required.You have good communication skills, are a team player, and are proficient in EnglishWhat we can offer you
We offer a 3-year postdoc position contract
A multidisciplinary, highly stimulating and supporting international research environment at VIB and Ghent University (UGent).
Access to state-of-the-art tools and infrastructure.
Various training opportunities are organized at VIB to broaden your expertise and skills.
Tentative start date: 1 November 2025
How to apply?
Submit your application through the VIB application tool (Emailed applications will not be considered). The call will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified.
Make sure that your application includes:
A detailed CV (incl. information about IT/computational skills)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 goalsThe names and contact details of 3 referees.For any questions on the vacancy, please contact klaas.vandepoele@psb.vib-ugent.be.

Expected salary

Location

Gent, Oost-Vlaanderen

Job date

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 22:07:11 GMT

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