Overview
At the Department of Biosystems of the University of Leuven (Belgium), the lab of Prof. Bram Van de Poel conducts research on molecular plant hormone physiology and plant sensing technologies. The lab develops innovative tools, such as digital plant sensors, to monitor plant responses to environmental stress conditions in real time. We have an open full-time PhD position focused on the development of machine learning models for our patented plant-wearable sensors, to enable monitoring and prediction of plant stress for greenhouse crops.
Project
Greenhouse horticulture is increasingly moving toward data-driven crop management systems that allow growers to monitor crop status and optimize production in real time. While most current systems rely on environmental measurements such as temperature, humidity, and light, plants themselves generate physiological signals that directly reflect their stress status and growth dynamics.
The Van de Poel lab has developed a non-invasive wireless plant-wearable motion sensor that measures subtle leaf and stem movements (patented). Previous research has shown that plant movement patterns change in response to abiotic stress before visible symptoms arrive, suggesting that these sensor signals may provide early indicators of plant stress and crop status.
In this PhD project, you will generate and analyze large datasets of plant movement dynamics collected from greenhouse crops and develop computational methods to extract meaningful physiological signals from these data, to use the sensor for stress and growth prediction. Therefore, you will install networks of plant-wearable sensors within crop canopies in commercial and experimental greenhouse facilities, to generate high-resolution time-series data describing plant movement under different environmental conditions and stress factors. A central focus of the project will be the development of signal processing, time-series analysis, and machine learning approaches (e.g. Efficiently Supervised Generative Adversarial Network) to detect patterns in plant movement and relate them to plant stress and crop status.
The long-term ambition is to develop a reliable non-invasive plant-wearable sensing system that enables early detection of plant stress, and supports more autonomous crop monitoring and decision-making in greenhouse horticulture.
This PhD project will train you to become a scientist who is ready for future challenges. This means that you will be conducting cutting-edge research under the close supervision of Prof Van de Poel, collaborate with your colleagues (within and outside the lab) and participate in the daily activities of the lab. You are encouraged to guide master’s thesis students, participate at national and international conferences and disseminate your research results in scientific publications.
You will also contribute to a larger applied research project conducted in collaboration with experimental research stations and industry partners in the Flemish and Dutch greenhouse horticulture sector (Interreg project).
Profile
Our team is looking for a PhD candidate with a strong interest in plant production, horticultural management and data modelling.
You are a team-player with a critical mind, work accurately and independently and are willing to learn new techniques.
Experience with plant physiology, greenhouse management, sensor systems, programming, or machine learning is considered an advantage. Experience with programming and data modelling is particularly valued.
You are required to have a European master’s degree (or equivalent) in Bioscience Engineering, Plant Biology, Biotechnology, Agricultural Engineering, Bioengineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, or a related discipline.
Offer
We offer you a full-time PhD position for 4 years, pending a positive evaluation by your PhD committee after year 1. Remuneration will be according to the KU Leuven salary scales and includes generous benefits in addition to Belgium’s strong social and health-care supports.
Our young and dynamic team of >15 members, will support you to successfully obtain a PhD degree via an in-depth scientific training at a top-ranked university. You will be closely mentored by Prof. Van de Poel and Dr. Reher as well as a close-knit, international, and diverse community of plant scientists within the Division of Crop Biotechnics.
Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Bram Van de Poel, mail: bram.vandepoel@kuleuven.be or Dr. Thomas Reher, mail: thomas.reher@kuleuven.be.
You can apply for this job no later than April 30, 2026 via the online application tool.
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
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