Postdoctoral position on genetic recombination for advanced crop breeding

The Laboratory for Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement (PGCI) at the Department of Biosystems at KU Leuven studies the genetic and environmental regulation of key reproductive processes in plants (flowering, meiosis, fertilization, etc.) and its impact on genetic variability and karyotypic integrity. At the applied side, the PGCI lab exploits these fundamental insights for unraveling the evolutionary mechanisms driving genomic change and adaptation in plants, as well as for developing innovative strategies for advanced crop breeding.
For strengthening our research on meiotic recombination in crops we are looking for a motivated Postdoctoral research fellow.
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Responsibilities

You will be part of a groundbreaking, inter-university FWO-SBO research project (MeioCOntrol) focusing on meiotic recombination and genetic diversity in crops. The main goal of this project is to identify the main determinants of meiotic cross-over (CO) formation in three crop types; i.e. maize, soybean, and tomato, and translate this into novel strategies to alter the available genetic variability for crop breeding purposes. More recombination means more genetic variation and thus faster progress and increased genetic gain in breeding programs. This is a direct economic win for breeding companies but also has broader societal impact towards climatic resilience and ecological sustainability. 

As Postdoctoral fellow within this project you will follow-up and streamline the different research approaches across the three institutes (KU Leuven, ILVO and Ugent) in close connection with the PIs and the technical teams. You will closely monitor and manage the different research activities, and supervise the three 3 PhD students that each focus on a specific crop type. You will be in charge of optimizing and implementing key techniques, such as CRISPR gene editing, meiotic cytology, and targeted genome sequencing for the three crops-of-interest. You will also be in close connection with the advisory committee and communicate obtained results to the associated industry partners (crop breeding and biotech companies), as well as initiate follow-up valorization tracts in collaboration with the KU Leuven (LRD) and UGent tech transfer offices.

While being located at the PGCI laboratory at KU Leuven, you will work intensively with the two other research groups conducting similar lines of research in maize and soybean. This will take place in different labs located in Ghent (UGent), Nevele (Agro-incubator) and Merelbeke-Melle (ILVO). As part of an interuniversity consortium, you will be embedded in a broader team of research experts with specialists in plant genetics, meiosis, genome editing, and bioinformatics, with knowledge exchange between academic partners, industrial stakeholders, and international scientific collaborators.

Profile

We are looking for a motivated and collaborative Postdoctoral researcher who:

• holds a PhD in plant genetics, genomics, molecular biology, or a related field
• has a solid understanding of plant molecular biology, genetics, and crop breeding
• has strong experience in plant transformation and CRISPR editing, preferably in crops
• is proficient in (targeted) genomics approaches and bioinformatics data analysis
• is eager to contribute to innovative technologies to advance crop breeding
• has strong competences in project management and coordination
• is fluent in English (written and verbal communication)
• is a team player with excellent communication skills

 It is an asset if the applicant also:

• has experience in meiotic cytology and/or advanced microscopy applications
• has affinity with or has experience in collaborating with the crop breeding industry
• has a driving license B
• meets the requirements of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie conditions of Mobility of Researchers. 

Researchers can be of any nationality and are required to undertake transnational mobility. This implies that researchers must not have resided in the country of their host beneficiary (Belgium) for more than 12 months in the past 3 years.

Offer

• a full-time Postdoctoral position at KU Leuven for one year, with the possibility of extension up to a total of four years
• competitive salary according to the KU Leuven scale “Postdoctoral assistant” (44), including benefits, in addition to Belgium’s strong social supports
• a stimulating international work environment at one of the top-ranked universities in Europe and collaboration with renowned Flemish research institutes and the crop breeding industry
• access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure
• opportunities to publish in high-impact journals and to present at international conferences
• career development support through KU Leuven’s Postdoc community 
• preferred starting date: October 1st, 2025

Interested?

Applications should be submitted through the KU Leuven job portal and should contain the following documents: full CV (including previous research experience, international mobility, and publication list), motivation letter, certificates for PhD, MSc and BSc degrees (as well as transcripts of the grades) and, if available, letter(s) of recommendation from previous employers/supervisors.

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Nico De Storme, tel.: +32 16 19 33 52, mail: [email protected].

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