Post-doctoral Researcher in microbial biotechnology and engineering (Ghent, 9000) bei Universiteit Gent

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15,000 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.

For the Faculty of bioscience Engineering, Department of Biotechnology, Centre for Synthetic Biology, BioPort group, we are looking for a m/f/x:

Post-Doctoral Researcher

Topic: biosynthesis of plant-AMF signaling compounds via microbial cell factories

YOUR TASKS

BioPort is a young and dynamic research group composed of eight researchers at the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Centre for Synthetic Biology of Ghent University. We work on several fundamental and applied aspects of industrial biotechnology and synthetic biology, involving various microorganisms (e.g. microbial transport systems to promote compound membrane crossing in a synthetic biology context, yeast lipids and waste valorisation, C1 utilization). Check our website at https://csb-bioport.mystrikingly.com and www.csb.ugent.be).

You will be employed on the Horizon Europe Pathfinder project “Engineering bioreactor mass production of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for European farming (AMFactory)”, where researchers from several institutes and countries join forces. It is your task enable low-cost, large-scale biosynthesis of plant-AMF signaling compounds via microbial cell factories and synthetic biology together with the UGent PhD-student (WP3). These plant-AMF signaling compounds are essential for optimal fungal colonization of the plant roots. They will be identified by other partners and we will establish their heterologous production in microbial cell factories such as Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Yarrowia lipolytica. An abstract of the research project can be found below.

Abstract:

Microbial inoculants containing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are powerful tools in increasing the sustainability of our food production systems. These soil fungi form a symbiotic association with almost all major agricultural crops, acquiring nutrients beyond the nutrient-depleted zone of the rhizosphere to meet plant nutrient requirements, resulting in increased biomass and yield. AMF-colonized plants also show greater tolerance to a /biotic stresses. The production of these inoculants has thus huge economic value. However, current AMF production relies largely on substrate-based cultivation systems with suitable host plants, which is space-demanding, hard to scale-up and prone to carrying unwanted contaminants. An alternative exists with the production of AMF in vitro in root organ cultures (ROC). This method also has some drawbacks. It is labor-intensive, costly, and produces comparatively fewer spores than in the greenhouse. Mass production of AMF at industrial scale is, however, done in ROC, but in countries where labor costs are well below EU salaries. This model is not viable in the EU which is characterized by high salaries and stringent regulations.

The ambition of AMFactory is therefore to bridge the gap between the contaminant-free production of AMFs in ROC and their mass-production in bioreactors at low costs, making EU worldwide competitive on the market of AMF bioinoculants.

• At least 70% of your assignment will be spent on academic research.
• Other tasks include the guiding and coaching of PhD students, coordination and communication in relation to the AMFactory project, small tasks to support education, grant writing, etc.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

1. You hold a thesis-based doctorate (obtained max. 6 years ago. This term of 6 years is determined by the date written on the above-mentioned required diploma) in Bioscience Engineering, Biochemistry, Metabolic engineering, Applied Microbiology, Microbial Biotechnology or other relevant to this application.
2. Experience with molecular biology, microbiology and advanced E. coli and/or yeast engineering is essential.
3. Experience with either Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Yarrowia lipolytica or Starmerella bombicola metabolic engineering is strongly recommended.
4. Experience with industrial biotechnology, synthetic biology or fermentation technology is a plus.
5. Being fluent in English is essential, knowledge of Dutch is a plus.
6. You proved to have scientific maturity and independence, and can think out of the box
7. You can function in a project with tight deadlines where you have to interact with others at different scientific levels.
8. You keep overview are good in coordination and can communicate and collaborate with partners and stakeholders with different backgrounds.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer you a contract of indefinite duration with a maximum term of 17 months (extension possible).
• Your contract will start on 1/04/2026 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 staff benefits.

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.

Your application must include the following documents:

• In the field ‘CV’: your CV and a transcript of your academic record (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 list with the contact details of two references, a one-page abstract of your doctoral thesis, optional: reference letter(s)

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. Dr. ir. Inge Van Bogaert ([email protected], +32(0)9/264 60 34). 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 [email protected].