Postdoctoral position available in the De Smet Lab

Job title:

Postdoctoral position available in the De Smet Lab

Company:

VIB

Job description

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 experienceYou are an expert in molecular biology, biochemistry and/or (plant) biotechnologyYou have guided (master/PhD) students and/or techniciansYou 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 communicationDesirable but not required
Experience with proteomics, interactomics and/or confocal microscopyExperience with kinases and/or E3 ligasesExperience with a crop, ideally wheat, will be to your benefitA publication record in peer-reviewed journals in the field of ‘animal and plant sciences’ is an assetYou are eligible for Marie Curie and/or EMBO postdoctoral fellowship applicationsKey personal characteristics
You have a strong sense of responsibility, maintaining a clean working environmentYou can accurately compile and document experiments (using an ELN)You have a no-nonsense can-do attitudeYou build team interactions quicklyYou feel great in a fun team and add to that spiritYou communicate clearly, candidly, and respectfully
We offer
A 1+2-year postdoc positionA 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 proteomicsVarious 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 CVA 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 goalsThe names and contact details of 3 referees

Expected salary

Location

Gand, Flandre-Orientale

Job date

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 23:59:29 GMT

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