Postdoctoral candidate in soil microbiology

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 8,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

YOUR TASKS

• At least 80% of your assignment will be spent on academic research.
• You are doing research on the soil microbiome. You will study the response of the soil microbiology during soybean cultivation (at Flanders) and study the survival of rhizogenic bacteria in the soil. 
• You implement new technologies in the lab (nanopore sequencing, single cell dispensing, metatranscriptomics), both for cutlivation as microbial sequencing. 
• You will collaborate with the Research institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO) and the Flemish Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) for the research on soy cultivation in Flanders.
• You will guide PhD students working on soil microbiology and soil-plant communities. 

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• You hold a thesis-based doctorate (obtained max. 8 years ago. This term of 8 years is determined by the date written on the above-mentioned required diploma) preferably in biochemistry/biotechnology or bioscience engineering.
• You are an expert in soil health and/or soil and plant microbiology
• Preferably, you have experience in modelling or you are willing to specialize in modelling during the first two years of the project
• You have experience in bioinformatics and can work fluently with R and a linux/unix environment
• You have strong communication skills and have a proven track record for this (e.g. experience in citizen science projects, leading position in a project, …

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer you a contract of indefinite duration.
•  Your contract will start on 01/01/2025 at the earliest.
• Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale PD1. Click here for more information about our salary scales.
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, a bicycle allowance and eco vouchers.. Click here for a complete overview of all the staffbenefits (in Dutch).

INTERESTED?

Apply online through the e-recruitment system before the application deadline (see above). We do not accept late applications or applications that are not submitted through the online system. We ask to already schedule the 18th of November in your calendar, as this day the interviews will be held at Campus Ledeganck, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent, Belgium. For international students, interviews can be scheduled online. 

Your application must include the following documents:

• In the field ‘CV’: your CV and an overview of your study results (merged into one pdf file)
• In the field ‘Cover letter’: your application letter in pdf format
• In the field ‘Diploma’: a transcript of the required degree (if already in your possession). If you have a foreign diploma in a language other than our national languages (Dutch, French or German) or English, please add a translation in one of the mentioned languages.
• In the field “other documents”: a reference letter, an overview of your study results,  …

Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB.

As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Caroline De Tender (caroline.detender@UGent.be, +32(0)9/2722485). Important: do NOT send your application by email, but apply online.

Do you have a question regarding the online application process? Please read the FAQ or contact us via selecties@ugent.be or +32 9 264 34 36