We seek a candidate with a Master’s degree (European or equivalent) in Bio-engineering, Biology, Biochemistry, Agriculture, Biotechnology or other relevant degree for the project described above.
A successful candidate will ideally:
1. Demonstrate a strong ability to write and communicate in English
2. Have experience in agricultural research, soil biology, molecular biology and/or biochemistry labs
3. Be able to work well in a multi-disciplinary team
4. Have an excellent academic performance at the MSc and BSc levels
5. Fulfill the requirements to submit a FWO PhD fellowship in 2026 (https://www.fwo.be/en/support-programmes/phd-fellowships/#)
6. Be eager to learn new techniques
7. Be able to integrate in an international and diverse working environment
The anticipated start date is flexible but expected before end 2025.
We are recruiting a PhD student who will work in a collaborative research team including scientists from The Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT (https://alliancebioversityciat.org/). The project will focus on advanced agro-ecological approaches to increase the agrobiodiversity and soil health. The project will do this by applying a lab to field approach to validate the reduction of nitrogen losses, higher nitrogen use efficiencies of banana, the stabilization of organic fertilizers and the increased soil health in general. The project will take advantage of a multidisciplinary research team with access to various genetic tools and bioassays to identify and optimize agroecological solutions.
The project will build on access to facilities and field trials in tropical regions from The Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT. The successful candidate will also work closely with an international team of scientists and technicians located in Belgium and in Africa.
The laboratory of Tropical Crop Improvement (https://vanderschuren-lab.eu) conducts research in tropical plants and agrosystems with a focus on food security crops such as banana and cassava. The laboratory is hosting the world’s largest banana gene bank managed by The Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT. The laboratory has expertise in and access to cutting-edge technologies and platforms to phenotype banana plants and soil biological processes. We are offering a PhD position in Bioscience Engineering for a research project aiming at screening the banana genetic diversity for Biological Nitrification Inhibition (BNI) capacity and better nitrogen use efficiency. By assessing the nitrogen fertilization in banana via high throughput phenotyping, by studying mechanisms to reduce nitrogen losses and by linking this from the lab to the field, we will be combining innovative management approaches with smart genetic selection of banana varieties. KU Leuven offers a competitive and international working environment with access to the latest technologies and expertise. KU Leuven is the highest internationally ranked university in Belgium and ranks amongst the best European universities for research and education. KU Leuven also ranks as the most innovative university in Europe, building on a very strong tech transfer office. Leuven is also one of Europe’s best university towns located only 30 minutes from Brussels with an international and diverse student community.
We offer you a full-time 4-year PhD position, pending a positive evaluation by the doctoral committee at the end of the first year. Remuneration will be according to the KU Leuven salary scales (https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/en/phd/phd-information#working-conditions) includes generous benefits in addition to Belgium’s strong social benefits.
You will obtain advanced training in plant biology and experimental systems biology that will prepare you for a career in industrial or academic research. You will be closely mentored by Prof. Vanderschuren (KU Leuven) and Dr Sebastien Carpentier (The Alliance/Bioversity) well as a close-knit, international, and diverse community of plant scientists within the Division of Crop Biotechnics. You will be given the possibility to establish and visit field trials in tropical areas. You will receive support to participate in European and international conferences and publish your science in high impact scientific journals. In addition, you will be provided with career guidance and encouraged to develop skills for science-adjacent careers in policy or communication including through courses via the Arenberg Doctoral School (https://set.kuleuven.be/phd). The host lab also supports the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and embrace Open Science