PhD Position(4 years) in Plant Biology and Artificial Intelligence: Discovery of Small Molecules Regulating the Plant Circadian Clock

Description

Offer Description: The plant circadian clock is an internal biological timer that synchronizes growth, development, nutrient uptake and stress responses with daily environmental cycles. Direct connections exist between circadian clock components and nutrient acquisition by roots, opening exciting opportunities for improving crop performance through chronobiology. This PhD project is part of a new interdisciplinary research initiative combining artificial intelligence, computational biology, plant physiology, molecular biology and chemical biology. The aim is to develop artifical intelligence-assisted approaches to discover novel small molecules capable of modulating key components of the plant circadian clock and to evaluate their impacts on root development and mineral nutrition. We offer: A fully funded 4-year PhD position Training at the interface between plant biology and artificial intelligence Opportunities for international collaborations and conference attendance Participation in a rapidly emerging research field linking chronobiology, chemical biology and sustainable agriculture Requirements: Research Field Biological sciences » Biological engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent Research Field Agricultural sciences » Agronomics Education Level Master Degree or equivalent Skills/Qualifications • Strong interest in plant biology and biotechnology • Knowledge of molecular biology techniques (PCR, qPCR, cloning, transformation, RNA extraction, global transcriptomics) • Excellent communication skills in English • Ability to work independently while contributing to an interdisciplinary team Specific Requirements Master's degree in Biology, Bioengineering, Plant Sciences, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology or a closely related discipline. Previous experience in bioinformatics, programming, artificial intelligence or machine learning is considered an asset but is not required. Training will be provided within the project. Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent Years of Research Experience None Additional Information: Benefits Competitive salary and social security coverage according to Belgian and ULB regulations. The position is funded through a doctoral fellowship for up to four years. The initial appointment is for one year and is renewable annually based on satisfactory progress. Eligibility criteria Applicants holding a Master’s degree in Biology, Bioengineering, Plant Sciences, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or a closely related discipline are particularly encouraged to apply. Candidates from Chemistry or Computational Biology with a strong interest in plant science are also welcome. Selection process Enthusiastic researchers meeting these criteria are kindly invited to contact Christian HERMANS ( [email protected] ). Applications should include (i) curriculum vitae , (ii) motivation letter with any pertinent experience related to the topic (maximum 1 page), and (iii) contact details of two referees. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to an online interview with the supervisors. Additional comments The candidate will benefit from multidisciplinary supervision and advanced training in experimental design, data analysis, scientific writing, communication and research dissemination.

Sectors

Source

Source: euraxess.ec.europa.eu