? Apply before 30/07/2021 23:59 (Brussels Time)
? Department: BW21 - Plant en Gewas, research unit HortiCell
? Occupancy rate:100%
? Number of positions: 1.00
? Type of employment: Contract of unlimited duration
? Term of assignment:
? 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.
YOUR TASKS
Sustainable agriculture aims at reducing the use of and dependency on synthetic chemicals for high quality food production. Suitable alternative solution for crop disease and improved yield are biostimulants and biopesticides, which are natural products that promote plant growth and enhance tolerance to biotic/abiotic stress. Being from natural resources, they are more environmentally friendly and safer in usage compared to synthetic agrochemicals that are so abundantly applied. Because of their natural origin, they are compatible with integrated pest management and organic crop production, and contribute to improved microbial biodiversity in the soil. The market of biostimulants and biopesticides is one of the fastest growing in agricultural business with many companies aiming at developing new biostimulant and biopesticide products. At Ghent University, over 30 professors are directly or indirectly contributing to the field of biostimulants and biopesticides and are gathered in a business development unit CropFit. The goal of CropFit is to facilitate the translation of fundamental research to agricultural applications. This is achieved through the development of projects in collaboration with the agroindustry. During the last few years a budget of over 5 mio Euro was acquired to perform research in the field of biostimulants and biopesticides and has resulted in the filing of several patents.
The department Plants and Crops, unit HortiCell, is looking for a full time postdoctoral scientist with experience in project coordination and application.
The selected candidate will coordinate the multi-actor projects (e.g. BIO2BIO, BioSUNmulant, Bio4Food) and participate in setting up new projects in the field of biostimulant and biopesticide development.
Your tasks:
coordinate and support the delivery of the projects
organize scientific meetings to discuss project progression
writing of reports and scientific publications
secure intellectual property
communication with the industry and prospection of new collaborations
setting up new project proposals and work out applications
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Candidates who are interested to join us and contribute to a more sustainable agriculture should have expertise in one or more of the following research domains:
plant crop physiology and production
beneficial and or pathogenic plant microbe interactions
plant growth and metabolism
chemical biology
In the specific projects for which we seek a coordinator, the following topics are relevant:
plant extraction and fractionation
plant growth and development
fungal and insect pests
mode of action studies (molecular research and metabolism)
field trials and experimental design
Your profile:
You hold a thesis-based doctorate in plant science
A passionate agronomist
An excellent organizer and coordinator
Fluent in English and excellent writing skills
Experience with industrial contacts
Good communication skills
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
We offer you a contract of indefinite duration.
Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale WM1 to WM4 (if you hold a Master’s degree) or salary scale PD1 to PD4 (if you hold a doctorate). 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 staff benefits (in Dutch).
An encouraging and stimulating work environment
Great deal of independence in career development
Access to academic and industrial network
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 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 reference letter, an overview of your study results, …
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. Danny Geelen (**********, +32(0)9/264 60 76). Important: do NOT send your application by email, but apply online.
Do you have a question? Please read our FAQ regarding the online application process.
