Academic ConnectPhD in advanced proteomics and systems biology for engineering resistance to DNA viruses in plants
_(ref. BAP-2025-502)_
_Laatst aangepast: 29/07/25_
The lab of Prof. Devang Mehta (https://mehta-lab.com) conducts research in experimental plant systems biology in the Division of Crop Biotechnics (Department of Biosystems) at KU Leuven (Belgium). The laboratory has expertise in and access to cutting-edge technologies including in house long-read sequencing and access to the latest generation proteomics mass-spectrometry infrastructure and is part of the Leuven Institute for Single-Cell Omics (https://lisco.kuleuven.be/) and the Leuven Plant Institute (https://www.kuleuven.be/plant-institute). We are offering a PhD position in Bioscience Engineering for a research project focusing on using genomics and proteomics technology to engineer anti-viral immunity in plant species, with a focus on cassava, an important tropical staple plant. This position is part of a funded WEAVE project between KU Leuven and the University of Liège in Belgium.
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
[Website van de eenheid](https://mehta-lab.com)
Project
We are recruiting a PhD student for a jointly-funded project between the EPSB Lab at KU Leuven and the Plant Genetics lab at the University of Liège. The selected candidates will be based at KU Leuven and expected to work in a multi-disciplinary team across both labs. You will also be given the freedom to develop your own research projects within the larger project theme.
In this project we will combine our expertise in circular DNA sequencing, mass-spectrometry-based proteomics, plant virology, and entomology to study the life cycle of plant geminiviruses in unprecedented detail. Geminiviruses are highly damaging viruses causing enormous economic damage to the cultivation of both temperate and tropical crops. In this project you will work with the important tropical plant, cassava, and deploy cutting-edge interactomics tools to study protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions in cassava geminiviruses throughout their life cycle, from their uptake by their insect vector to subsequent infection in a naïve plant. The insights generated in this project will directly feed into applied research in the lab aimed at developing virus-resistant cassava plants.
This project will equip you with a diverse skillset well suited for a number of career paths, including industry (mass-spectrometry, long-read sequencing), plant breeding & biotechnology (CRISPR-Cas9, plant pathology, phenotyping), or academic research.
Profile
We seek a candidate with a Master’s degree (European or equivalent) in Biology, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, Synthetic Biology, Bioengineering, Biotechnology or other relevant degree for the project described above.
A successful candidate will ideally:
- Demonstrate a strong ability to write and communicate in English
- Have some experience in molecular biology and/or biochemistry labs (any model system) (project-dependant)
- Intermediate programming or data-analysis skills or an interest in developing such skills (project-dependant)
- Be able to work well in a multi-disciplinary team
- Have good academic performance at the MSc and BSc levels
- Be eager to learn new techniques
- Be able to integrate in an international and diverse working environment
The anticipated start date is highly flexible within 2025.
Offer
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) and includes generous benefits in addition to Belgium’s strong social benefits.
You will obtain advanced training in plant biology, genetic engineering, and experimental systems biology that will prepare you for a career in industrial or academic research. You will be closely mentored by Profs. Mehta and Vanderschuren as well as a close-knit, international, and diverse community of plant scientists within the Division of Crop Biotechnics. You will be given support to participate in European and international conferences and publish your science in respected 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 labs also support the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and embrace Open Science (https://mehta-lab.com/policies).
Interested?
Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis and interviews will start after September 1, 2025. The position will remain opened until a suitable candidate has been identified. Please do not upload additional documents other than those requested.
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Devang Mehta, tel.: +32 16 37 21 46, mail: devang.mehta@kuleuven.be.
You can apply for this job no later than September 05, 2025 via the [online application tool](http://www.kuleuven.be/eapplyingforjobs/light/60524093)
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.](https://www.kuleuven.be/wieiswie/en/person/ue715673)