Jobs

Job description 

We are seeking two highly motivated postdoctoral researchers to join our research team based in the Van de Peer lab, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Zhen Li, Assistant Professor at Ghent University/VIB Staff Scientist.

The two positions are funded through an FWO research grant awarded to Prof. Dr. Zhen Li and will focus on the evolutionary significance of gene loss in shaping plant adaptation, speciation, and biological innovations. 

This project aims to redefine our understanding of gene loss alongside gene gain in plant evolution, focusing on developing novel genomic approaches to analyze gene loss across diverse plant lineages and their evolutionary consequences. To this end, the initial focus will be developing a novel genomic approach integrating homolog identification and multiple genome alignment to identify gene loss in plants and investigating its links with species divergence and adaptive traits in various plant clades, e.g., Orchidaceae, Poaceae, Solanaceae, Brassicaceae, and Fagales.

Research Focus

While the two positions will work closely together and share many responsibilities, they have slightly different initial focus areas:

Position 1: Computational Genomics and Method Development

  • Develop novel genomic frameworks for detecting gene loss in plant genomes
  • Implement approaches to distinguish DNA deletion from pseudogenization
  • Analysis of gene loss patterns across diverse plant lineages
  • Explore graph-based algorithms for multiple genome alignment and ancestral karyotype reconstruction

Position 2: Evolutionary Analysis and Network Biology

  • Analysis of cross-species/-ecotype co-expression and gene regulatory networks
  • Study of molecular mechanisms underlying how gene loss affects biological network rewiring
  • Integration of phenotypic data with omics analysis
  • Explore machine learning and network analysis methods

Profile

Essential 

  • A PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Evolutionary Biology, or related fields
  • Strong programming skills in Python, R, and experience with Linux environments
  • Demonstrated experience in processing and analyzing large-scale genomic and transcriptomic datasets
  • Strong publication track record in evolutionary biology and/or network biology
  • Excellent communication skills and fluency in English (written and verbal)
  • Willingness to learn new methods and tackle scientific challenges with creativity and rigor
  • A good balance between working in a team and working independently
  • You are an enthused team player who is open and respectful to other cultures, opinions and ways of life 

Desirable but not required 

  • Experience with machine learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, Tensorflow, Keras)
  • Experience with graph algorithms and network analysis
  • Experience with explainable AI (e.g., SHAP)
  • Experience with high-performance computing and software containers
  • Experience with software development tools (e.g., git, Nextflow) 

We offer

The VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology is a world-leading science institution in Ghent, Belgium. Ghent University is among the top 100 global universities according to several international rankings.

  • A fully funded, full-time postdoctoral position for one year (with possibility of a two-year extension after positive evaluation) in a stimulating and supportive international research environment
  • Access to state-of-the-art tools and computational infrastructure, including CPU/GPU clusters
  • Opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in plant evolution and genomics
  • Support for attending international conference and developing professional networks
  • Comprehensive training in academic, technical, and career skills through VIB and Ghent University
  •  The position appointment start date is as soon as possible. 

How to apply? 

Motivated candidates are asked to apply online via the VIB application procedure.

A complete application file (English) should contain the following documents:

  • A cover/motivation letter (max. 2 pages) stating career goals, experience, and how these relate to your preferred position 1 and/or 2
  • A detailed CV, including a list of your scientific publications
  • Contact information of at least two academic references 

For more information or inquiries about the position, mail to [email protected]


 

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