Postdoc Acc Metabolism

**Faculty of Sciences**
- **Department: WE11 - Biologie**
- **Occupancy rate:100%**
- **Number of positions: 1**
- **Type of employment: Contract of unlimited duration with clause**
- **Term of assignment: 3 years**
- **Wage scale: PD1 to PD4 (doctoral degree)**
- **Required diploma:PhD**

**ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY**

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15,000 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**
- At least 85% of your assignment will be spent on academic research.
- We aim at identification and characterization of factors in ACC metabolism, including ACC transport (building on preliminary work), as part of its signaling pathway, using molecular as well as in silico tools. We recently discovered new players in the pathway. In vivo validation will be performed in Arabidopsis and tomato. Affinity proteomics, in silico docking analysis, enzyme activity tests, ACC transport tests, mutant identification, phenotypic and genetic analyses will be part of the project. Analysis of ACC and its conjugates, as well as ethylene measurements will be performed, in different genetic backgrounds and growth conditions, using methods established by our lab. Hence, the project offers the possibility to acquire a wide expertise. A broad interest is an obvious essential asset, alongside a thorough knowledge of plant hormone physiology.

** WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR**

You hold a thesis-based doctorate obtained max. 6 years ago. (This term of 6 years is determined by the date written on the above-mentioned required diploma).

Applicants should be fluent in English (both in verbal and written communication), and hold a PhD degree in biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, or bio-engineering/applied biological sciences. We are looking for early-career enthusiastic scientists with postdoctoral experience (typically within 2 years after their PhD). Excellent laboratory skills, functioning well in a team, presenting a proven track record in the field of molecular physiology/biochemistry of plant hormones in growth and development, endorsed by first author publications in high standard international peer-reviewed journals, are essential. A thorough knowledge of genetic and molecular-physiological techniques (including GoldenGate/GoldenBraid cloning, Q-RT-PCR, gas exchange measurements), and standard software packages (Microsoft Excel, Photoshop/Illustrator, RStudio) are required. Expertise in _in silico_ docking analysis, working in AlphaFold3, and affinity proteomics is a strong asset, as is proven expertise with CRISPR-Cas technology. Experience with confocal microscopy is considered a plus. Communications and presentations at international conferences, as well as research experience in a country different from the country of origin are considered assets.

** WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU**
- We offer you a contract of indefinite duration with a maximum term of 3 years
- Your contract will start on 1/11/2025 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, 36 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.

**INTERESTED?**
- In the field **‘CV’**: your CV and a transcript of your academic record (merged into one pdf file)
- 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.

**MORE INFORMATION