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

Organisation/Company Université libre de Bruxelles Department Brussels Bioengineering School - Ecole de Bioingénierie de Bruxelles (EBB) Research Field Biological sciences » Biological engineering Chemistry » Computational chemistry Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 31 Oct 2026 - 00:00 (Europe/Brussels) Country Belgium Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

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

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.

Additional comments

The candidate will benefit from multidisciplinary supervision and advanced training in experimental design, data analysis, scientific writing, communication and research dissemination.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Université libre de Bruxelles Country Belgium City Brussels Postal Code 1050 Street ULB Campus Plaine, Bd du Triomphe, access 2