Professorship in microbial gene editing

In the Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering of KU Leuven, a full-time tenure-track faculty position in microbial gene editing is available for applicants that have an appointment as group leader at the VIB (Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie) – KU Leuven Center for Microbiology.
We are looking for internationally oriented candidates with an excellent research record and with educational competence within the field of microbial gene editing, with special emphasis on novel high-throughput editing technologies that allow studying complex genetics in eukaryotic microbial model systems.
The research unit consists of 10 professors active in biological and biotechnological research. This includes fundamental microbial research into bacterial physiology and yeast genetics, as well as applied research in fermentation and management of bacterial infections and contaminations. Further, several groups work on the development and application of advanced computational biology analyses. Three groups are part of the VIB virtual research institute. The unit provides teaching in the Bachelor of Bioscience Engineering and in several master programs, in particular the Master of Cellular and Genetic Engineering, and the Master of Bioinformatics, which attract high numbers of students. The faculty is well known for the high level of its students.
In addition to becoming embedded in the Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, the candidate also needs to hold or be selected for a Group Leader Position at the VIB – KU Leuven Center for Microbiology. The KU Leuven - VIB Center for Microbiology aims to be a global leader in the broad field of microbiology. The goal is 1) to contribute to our understanding of microbial physiology, genetics, evolution and ecology, for both benign and pathogenic microbes; 2) to use microbes as models to unravel general biological mechanisms; 3) develop innovative technologies and 4) pursue industrial and clinical applications of microbes, microbial communities and microbial products, including novel antibiotics, probiotics and the development of superior microbes and microbial communities for a more sustainable, climate-neutral bio-based society.
For more information, see:
Website unit

Duties

Research

You develop a research program around the development and exploitation of novel, innovative high-throughput gene editing techniques. Ideally, the innovative research builds upon and expands the CRISPR-Cas system as a toolbox to generate massive and/or multiplex gene editing of microbes that allow studying interactions between genetic alterations and/or complex genetic phenomena such as codon bias on a systems- and genome-level scale. Applications can include, but are not limited to, gene editing of industrially relevant microbes to optimize gene expression and/or gene function with the goal of generating superior microbes that contribute to important societal and sustainability challenges. The research will be embedded within the ongoing research programs at the Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics and the VIB – KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, complementing the research of other teams within these centers. You publish at the highest scientific level and establish collaborations within KU Leuven, Belgium and internationally. Further, you acquire resources to support your research program. Finally, you play a crucial role in supervising PhD students.

Teaching

You will contribute to the educational programs organised by the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering at both the bachelor's and master's levels, and supervise master's theses. Your teaching tasks will be determined in consultation and based on your specific profile. The scope of these responsibilities will be limited during the first years of your appointment, allowing you sufficient time to establish your research program.

Service

As all professors, you will be expected to contribute to committees and councils responsible for the organization and administration of the faculty and/or departmental communities.

Profile

You have a strong international academic track-record and a proven ability to develop and lead a top-level research program, as reflected by breakthrough publications in the top journals in the field of genetics and biotechnology, preferably in the field of microbial genome editing. Proven success in independently acquiring research funding and managing a research team is also a requirement.  The candidate has strong organisational skills and a cooperative attitude. A good command of English is required. Since the official language of KU Leuven is Dutch and the bachelor level education is mostly in Dutch, you are expected to acquire a profound knowledge of Dutch after a few years. If needed, and after your start at KU Leuven, language training can be provided to give you the opportunity to learn Dutch to the required level.

Offer

We are offering full-time employment in an intellectually challenging environment. KU Leuven is a research-intensive, internationally oriented university that carries out both fundamental and applied scientific research. Our university is highly inter- and multidisciplinary focused and strives for international excellence. Research funding will be offered through the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology. Further, you will be based in a shared laboratory space and have access to shared equipment and core facilities (in some cases service fees apply).

Depending on your record and qualifications, you will be appointed to or tenured in one of the grades of the senior academic staff: assistant professor, associate professor, professor or full professor. In principle, junior researchers are appointed as assistant professor on the tenure track for a period of 5 years; after this period and a positive evaluation, they are permanently appointed (or tenured) as an associate professor. You work in Leuven, a historic, dynamic and lively city located in the heart of Belgium, within 20 minutes from Brussels, the capital of the European Union, and less than two hours from Paris, London and Amsterdam. The CMPG is located in the castle Arenberg campus, just outside the city centre.  Depending on your record and qualifications, you will be appointed to or tenured in one of the grades of the senior academic staff: assistant professor, associate professor, professor or full professor. In principle, junior researchers are appointed as assistant professor on the tenure track for a period of 5 years; after this period and a positive evaluation, they are permanently appointed (or tenured) as an associate professor. KU Leuven is well set to welcome foreign professors and their family and provides practical support with regard to immigration & administration, housing, childcare, learning Dutch, partner career coaching, … To facilitate scientific onboarding and accelerate research in the first phase a starting grant [of 110.000 euro] is offered to new professors without substantial other funding, appointed for at least 50%.

More information

https://www.biw.kuleuven.be/m2s/cmpg

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Chris Michiels, tel.: +32 16 32 15 78, mail: chris.michiels@kuleuven.be or Prof. dr. ir. Rob Jelier, tel.: +32 16 37 73 19, mail: rob.jelier@kuleuven.be. For problems with online applying, please contact solliciteren@kuleuven.be.

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