ABOUT VIB:

VIB is a research institute spread over six university campuses in Flanders that aims to strengthen the excellence of Flemish life sciences research and to turn the results into new economic growth.

Within VIB, the VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology is located on the Brussels campus of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and hosts 10 PIs with varying expertise but all studying the structure-function relationships of proteins and macromolecular complexes.

The Loris lab combines structural biology and molecular biophysics to study questions about protein function and regulation, including mechanisms that depend on intrinsic disorder and dynamics-mediated allostery. One of the topics in the lab focusses on SOG1, a central regulator in DNA damage response. SOG1 is the plant equivalent of p53 and controls hundreds of genes. The underlying mechanisms are largely unknown, but likely involve phosphorylation of the IDP domain of SOG1 as well as the involvement of a number of as yet unidentified interaction partners.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

You will be working on a project that aims to unravel the relationship between liquid-liquid phase separation, intrinsic disorder, DNA binding and transcription activation for the NAC family of plant-specific transcription factors. For this project, the loris lab closely relates with the plant cell cycle group of Prof. Lieven De Veylder at the VIB-UGent Center for plant systems biology that supports us with its expertise in plant work.

The successful candidate will join a small team that studies the functional role of intrinsic disorder and the relationship between DNA binding and LLPS in plant transcription factors. You will carry out in vitro protein chemistry (cloning, mutagenesis, protein purification, binding studies, kinetics of aggregation and liquid-liquid phase separation, crystal/NMR/EM structure determination) complemented with some in planta work in Arabidopsis or tobacco.

In addition to the work directly related to the research, the successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the department's emanation of science in society and to the training of master students. For PhD students, this is an obligatory part of their doctoral training program. The position is immediately available.

PROFILE:

Essential

• A master/PhD thesis in a relevant field (structural biology, molecular biophysics (applying ITC, spectroscopic techniques, ... to proteins), plant molecular biology or protein chemistry);


• For a prospective PhD student: Master in Bio-engineering sciences, (Molecular) biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology or related, recently obtained (no more than one year) with at least the mention of distinction/cum laude;


• For a prospective post-doc: experience in protein chemistry, molecular biophysics including LLPS and/or structural biology is essential;


• You are fluent in English, both spoken and written.

Desirable

• Experience with LLPS;


• Experience with inplanta work and microscopy;


• You are currently in the last year of your master/PhD studies or you have graduated in 2024;


• Preference will be given to candidates that have recently (2024) graduated or are currently finishing their master/PhD studies;


• In case of equal candidates, preference will be given to candidates that do not need to go through an extensive visa application procedure;


• Knowledge of the Dutch language will provide you with an advantage.

Key personal characteristics

• You are highly communicative;


• You enjoy collaborating with colleagues and function well in a team;


• At the same time you can take initiative and work independent.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• A four year PhD or post-doc contract;


• A working climate where trust, (international) collaboration, and commitment are essential;


• Access to state-of-the art tools and infrastructure;


• A stimulating and supportive international research environment.

The successful candidate will be selected by the PI. A first selection will be made based on the provided documents and potentially suitable candidates will be interviewed. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate has been found.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications are expected on-line via jobsoid. Your application file should consist of:

• A recent CV. The cv should contain a list of scientific publications if any (published and under review);


• A motivation letter. Please also provide the contact details (at least name, e-mail address and function) for at least two referees (which should include your master/PhD thesis advisor);


• A copy of your master/PhD diploma (unless it has not yet been obtained);


• Transcripts of your bachelor and master studies. This should (for a PhD candidate) include a list of all classes followed and the marks that were obtained together with an explanation of the scoring system used by your university. In your letter also provide a link to the university web site describing the master studies you followed;


• A 1 page summary of your master/PhD thesis;


• Only if available an English language certificate (will also be assessed during the interview).

For further questions, contact Remy.Loris@vub.be.