Doctoral researchers Molecular Plant Physiology

Department: Department of Biology
Regime Full-time

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The Department of Biology in the Faculty of Science is looking for two full-time (100%) doctoral researchers in the field of Molecular Plant Physiology

Position

You will work actively on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis on the functional analysis of drought tolerance promoting endophytes in the growth zone of maize leaves. The project aims to study the effects of endophytic fungi and bacteria on maize leaf growth under optimal and drought conditions. Endophytic bacteria and fungi isolated from the leaf growth zone of grasses growing in arid conditions will be functionally characterised using a multidisciplinary approach. This will involve testing of isolates for their effect on leaf growth under optimal and drought conditions, sequencing the genome of growth promoting isolates, kinematic analysis of cell division and expansion in the leaf growth zone, flowcytometry, NGS sequencing (plant and endophytic mRNA), metabolome analysis and quantification of endophyte numbers under control and drought conditions.

• You will publish scientific articles related to the research project.
• You will carry out a limited number of teaching and research support tasks for the department of Biology.

Profile

• You hold a Master degree in Biology, Biochemistry or Bio-engineering or you will have obtained it by the time you start work.
• You can demonstrate excellent study results.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision .
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies .
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• You have experience with molecular biology or bioinformatics and preferentially also with genomics
• You are fluent in English (written and spoken).
• You have good knowledge of developmental and molecular biology of plants.

What we offer

• We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of two years. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed once for another two-year period.
• The planned start date is 1 October 2022 or as soon as possible after that date.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
• You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• You will do most of your work at Campus Groenenborgerlaan in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here .

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 31 August 2022 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments: a motivation letter, your academic CV and the names and email of two references.
• The selection committee will review all of the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to [email protected] . If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Gerrit Beemster, Professor, [email protected]  or Hamada AbdElgawad, Professor, [email protected] .

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity  and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.