RHEA Postdoc position | Plant monitoring and FSPM modelling in oilseed rape (18199) - Plants and Crops

   →  Apply before 05/03/2021 23:59 (Brussels Time)
   →  Faculty of Bioscience Engineering  
   →  Department: BW21 - Plant en Gewas
   →  Occupancy rate: 100%
   →  Number of positions: 1.00    
   →  Type of employment: Contract of unlimited duration with clause 
   →  Term of assignment: 3 year 
   →  Wage scale:  PD1 to PD4 (doctoral degree) 
   →  Required diploma: PhD 
 

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.

PROJECT

RHEA | Markers predicting optimal parental combining ability for hybrid vigor in oilseed rape (a 3-year innovative VLAIO Research and development project together with BASF Belgium)

In hybrid breeding, the major challenge is to identify female and male lines with good combining ability. The full RHEA-project will focus on identifying biomarkers and building selection models for male and female combining ability in winter oilseed rape and this for different environmental conditions. Our contribution will focus on the development of a novel functional-structural plant model (FSPM) for winter oilseed rape seedlings based on plant measurements (partly with automated plant sensors), and the assessment of its applicability to predict the impact of the environment on performance.

YOUR TASKS

• At least 70% of your assignment will be spent on academic research.
• Planning and conducting well-designed experiments to study the dynamic interaction between winter oilseed rape seedlings and climate (light, temperature, relative humidity, CO2) in sophisticated phenotyping systems.
• Measuring the growth, development and ecophysiology of the winter oilseed rape seedlings using innovative plant sensors and manual measurements (e.g., plant structure, photosynthesis, respiration, water status).
• Testing and fine-tuning the applicability of the novel plant sensors and (thermal) imaging on winter oilseed rape seedlings.
• Develop a novel functional-structural plant model (FSPM) for winter oilseed rape seedlings.
• Follow-up, analysis and interpretation of large plant and microclimate datasets.
• Synthesis of research results in internal project reports and peer-reviewed publications.
• Present results during national or international conferences, seminars and workshops.
• Participation in a collaborative, interdisciplinary consortium, with highly motivated researchers and company.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Diploma: Doctoral degree in Bioscience Engineering, Engineering, Physics, Biology, or an equivalent relevant degree.
• You have worked no longer than 3 years as a Postdoc at a University. 
• Highly motivated to conduct research.
• Strong interest in plant functioning, plant-climate interactions.
• Strong affinity with plants.
• Knowledge of FSP modelling.
• Mathematical and analytical mindset.
• Organizational and management skills, and problem-solving, result-oriented attitude.
• Excellent communication skills in English – both orally and written.
• A team player who can work independently and has good communication skills.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• The candidate will work at the Laboratory of Plant Ecology (Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Belgium) under the supervision of Prof. Kathy Steppe. The project is at the core of the lab’s mission: http://www.plantecology.ugent.be
• Datasets are obtained in sophisticated phenotyping systems at BASF (Astene or Zwijnaarde, Belgium).
• We offer you a contract of indefinite duration with a maximum term of 3 years
• Your contract will start on 1/03/2021 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, 35 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.

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 and motivation 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.

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. Kathy Steppe (Kathy.Steppe@UGent.be). Important: do NOT send your application by email, but apply online.