The labs of Prof. Devang Mehta (https://mehta-lab.com) and Prof. Hervé Vanderschuren (https://vanderschuren-lab.eu) conduct research in experimental plant systems biology and tropical plant biotechnology respectively in the Division of Crop Biotechnics (Department of Biosystems) at KU Leuven (Belgium). The laboratories have expertise in and access to cutting-edge technologies including in house long-read sequencing and access to the latest generation proteomics mass-spectrometry infrastructure and are part of the Leuven Institute for Single-Cell Omics (https://lisco.kuleuven.be/) and the Leuven Plant Institute (https://www.kuleuven.be/plant-institute). We are offering a PhD position in Bioscience Engineering for a multi-partner strategic basic research project on developing gene editing and chemical-based solutions to plant viruses.
KU Leuven offers a competitive and international working environment with access to the latest technologies and expertise. KU Leuven is the highest internationally ranked university in Belgium and ranks amongst the best European universities for research and education. KU Leuven also ranks as the most innovative university in Europe, building on a very strong tech transfer office. Leuven is also one of Europe’s best university towns located only 30 minutes from Brussels with an international and diverse student community.
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Project
We are recruiting PhD students for a number of grant-funded projects that integrate different genomics and proteomics technologies across a range of applications in plant biology. Selected candidates will have their choice of projects depending on their background and interests. You will also be given the freedom to develop your own research projects within the themes below:
1. Engineering non-insecticidal solutions for plant viral diseases using nucleoprotein interaction proteomics: Plant viruses cause major crop losses worldwide and remain difficult to control without extensive use of insecticides targeting their vectors. In this 4-year PhD project, funded by the Research Foundation–Flanders (FWO), you will use advanced mass spectrometry-based proteomics to uncover the protein and RNA interactions that underpin viral infection in sugar beet and tomato. By combining interaction proteomics, genome editing, and chemical screening approaches, you will identify new genetic and chemical strategies for controlling viral diseases and contribute to the development of innovative, non-insecticidal plant protection solutions. The project is conducted within a multidisciplinary consortium bringing together KU Leuven, the VIB Screening Core, and ILVO (Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food), with guidance from an advisory board that includes industry representatives.
2. Understanding the role of the plant circadian clock in latitudinal adaptation: As climate change shifts agriculture northwards, crops must adapt to shorter growing seasons and dramatic seasonal changes in day length. In this PhD project, you will explore how the plant circadian clock helps plants sense and respond to latitude based on our recent discoveries (Mehta et al., 2024, Science Advances). Combining directed evolution, cutting-edge environmental simulation systems, and advanced multi-omics approaches, you will discover the genetic mechanisms underlying latitudinal adaptation in Arabidopsis thaliana. Your findings will help lay the foundation for breeding and engineering the next generation of climate-resilient crops.
All the thematic areas above will equip you will equip you with a diverse skillset well suited for a number of career paths, including the biotech industry (mass-spectrometry), plant breeding & biotechnology (CRISPR-Cas9, plant pathology, phenotyping), or academic research.
Profile
We seek candidates with a Master’s degree (European or equivalent) in Biology, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, Synthetic Biology, Bioengineering, Biotechnology or other relevant degree for the project described above.
A successful candidate will ideally:
- Demonstrate a strong ability to write and communicate in English
- Have some experience in molecular biology and/or biochemistry labs (any model system
- Intermediate programming or data-analysis skills or an interest in developing such skills (project-dependant)
- Be able to work well in a multi-disciplinary team
- Prior experience in plant biology is not a requirement, but a strong grasp of biochemistry and molecular biology tools is necessary
- Have good academic performance at the MSc and BSc levels
- Be eager to learn new techniques
- Be able to integrate in an international and diverse working environment
The anticipated start date is highly flexible with the earliest start in October 2026
Offer
We offer you a full-time 4-year PhD position, pending a positive evaluation by the doctoral committee at the end of the first year. Remuneration will be according to the KU Leuven salary scales (https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/en/phd/phd-information#working-conditions) and includes generous benefits in addition to Belgium’s strong social benefits.
You will obtain advanced training in plant biology, genetic engineering, and experimental systems biology that will prepare you for a career in industrial or academic research. You will be closely mentored by Profs. Mehta and Vanderschuren as well as a close-knit, international, and diverse community of plant scientists within the Division of Crop Biotechnics. You will be given support to participate in European and international conferences and publish your science in respected scientific journals. In addition, you will be provided with career guidance and encouraged to develop skills for science-adjacent careers in policy or communication including through courses via the Arenberg Doctoral School (https://set.kuleuven.be/phd). You will also receive training in grant writing. The host labs also support the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and embrace Open Science (https://mehta-lab.com/policies).
Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Devang Mehta, mail: [email protected] or Prof. dr. Hervé Vanderschuren, mail: [email protected].
Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis, so please apply at the earliest. The position will remain opened until a suitable candidate has been identified. Please do not upload additional documents other than those requested.
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
