진학프로석·박사 채용 접수 플랫폼

You want to help develop most robust cropping systems? You want to understand how plant roots impact water flow in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum, at different scales? You are passionate about Open Science and sustainability ?

We are pleased to announce that we are opening a two-year postdoctoral researcher position at the UCLouvain (Belgium) for the DROOGHT project. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in plant science and gain valuable experience in the field of root modellingand drought resistance in cereals, with a particular emphasis on wheat.

The DROOGHT project:

The project DROOGHT aims to identify root traits that enhance crop robustness to drought. The project focuses on understanding below-ground processes in cereal crops, particularly the role of root diameter distribution in water uptake. The project will use both computational and experimental approaches to identify dominant structural root traits controlling water uptake under water-limited conditions. The outputs will include a multiscale computational framework, a phenotyping pipeline, and the identification of cereal root properties for robust crop across European conditions and climate change scenarios. Overall, the project aims to advance understanding of root systems' role in water uptake and provide practical insights for breeders and crop modelers. Over the next 5 years, the project will hire 3 postdoctoral and 3 doctoral researchers.

Your part

Your goal will be to work on the development, validation, and deployment of a new multiscale root modelling pipeline. The framework will combine existing root models, from the organ to the field scale. The aim is to develop an open-source multiscale modeling framework that will allow researchers to explore the effect of specific traits (or combination of traits) on water uptake dynamics in any pedoclimatic conditions. You will closely collaborate with other researchers in the group using the models andwith the postdoctoral researcher developing the model-assisted root phenotyping pipeline

What you will do:

• Combine existing models into a single multiscale root model (from organ to field scales)
• Validate the model with data collected from experiments.
• Help deploy the model in the different work packages of the project.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of researchers and contribute to project meetings and discussions.
• Stay up to date with the latest advancements in plant science research and contribute to scientific literature through publications and presentations.
• Engage in the dissemination of research findings through conferences, seminars, and other scientific events.

What we are looking for:

• A PhD degree in plant science, biology, agricultural science, or a related field.
• Strong background knowledge and interest in root modeling. Experience modeling pipeline development.
• Proficiency in data analysis and statistical software packages.
• Ability to design and write scientific papers.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively within a team.
• Because of a specific funding scheme, you must have lived the past 24 months out of Belgium

Please do not let lack of some skills make you feel you are ineligible for any position here. If some skills are missing, they can generally be taught. It is our role to help you develop your research program with mutual interest.

Our lab

The Plant Ecology, Eco-physiology and Sustainable Agriculture (PEPA) Lab is currently composed of 15+ lab members. It is part of the Earth and Life Institute and tightly linked to the Faculty of bioengineering of the UCLouvain. We work closely with the UCLouvain university farms and have strong links with the Forschungszentrum Juelich, in Germany.

In our lab we share values of (eco-)feminism, respect for minorities, work-life balance and curiosity. Researchers are encouraged to follow dedicated “soft skills” trainings on related subjects, also including stress relief, non-violent communication, etc. for free during their worktime.

Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

Louvain-la-Neuve is one of the newest cities in Europe, built around the UCLouvain. It is a unique, fully pedestrian city, vibrant with student energy and initiatives. Located in Wallonia, the French-talking part of Belgium, it is at the heart of Europe. It is well connected to many major cities in both Belgium and Europe by train.