postdoc and PhD position to investigate SCAMP- aquaporin interplay in Arabidopsis

Postdoctoral researcher and a PhD student to investigate the interplay between the Secretory Carrier Membrane Proteins and the plasma membrane aquaporins in Arabidopsis.

The VIBUGent Center for Plant Systems Biology (PSB) is a worldleading plant science institute located at the heart of a renowned Plant Biotech campus in Ghent Belgium. Its mission is to unravel plant biological processes and translate this knowledge into value for society. Please visit us at for more information.

Research at the Van Damme lab () is centered around membrane trafficking in plants and we combine cell biological and biochemical/structural approaches to answer our research questions. We are highly passionate about the endocytic pathway that controls the plasma membrane proteome and we investigate its machinery as well as its downstream cargo.

UCLouvain is the largest university in the Frenchspeaking part of Belgium. It is located in LouvainlaNeuve 30 km south of Brussels. The Chaumont laboratory () belongs to the Institute of Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology (LIBST) which brings together more than 180 research staffs working in the field of biochemistry molecular and cell biology. Chaumonts team is fascinated by the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating physiological processes and especially by the regulation and function of aquaporins which are involved in numerous developmental and physiological processes related to water relations but also to the movement of other physiological and signalling molecules.

The Van Damme lab and the Chaumont lab have joined forces via an FWOweave project. Within this project there are two 4year positions available. A postdoctoral researcher position in the Van Damme lab and a PhD position in the Chaumont lab. The PhD student and the postdoc will work in close collaboration on the interplay between the secretory carrier membrane proteins (SCAMPs) which are cargo of the endocytic TPLATE complex (Arora et al. Plant Cell 2020 and Yperman et al. Science Advances 2021) and the plasma membrane aquaporins (PIPs). We aim to identify how the SCAMP proteins are involved in the trafficking and/or activity of the PIPs. The research will involve interactomics live cell imaging mutant analysis structural modelling (e.g. AF2) as well as physiological assays on water permeability in Arabidopsis protoplasts as well as in Xenopus oocytes. The PhD student will be based in UCLouvain and the postdoc will be based in Ghent. As this is a truly joint project both the student and the postdoc will be able to benefit from the available expertise in both labs.

Profile

Profile 1. PhD student

• Masters degree in biology/bioengineering or equivalent with a strong interest in plant biology and some experience in plant molecular and cellular biology or physiology.

Profile 2. Postdoctoral researcher

• Ph.D. degree in Biotechnology Biochemistry Biology Bioengineering or equivalent.
• Required proven expertise in: live cell imaging cloning (e.g. Golden Gate Gibson) protein biochemistry guidance of master and/or PhD students.
• Desired expertise in: interactomics stomatal dynamics Alphafold modelling. Experience in supervising Ph.D. students is also considered a plus.

We welcome applications from dynamic individuals with a strong drive for science and motivation. Ideal candidates take initiative possess a strong sense of responsibility have critical thinking abilities have excellent oral and written English communication skills and have a collaborative mindset. Additionally they should demonstrate the capacity to independently plan and execute research with precision.

We welcome the willingness of candidates to apply for personal fellowships in order to achieve their own individual funding. For the PhD student this will imply applying for a FNRS and/or FRIA fellowship. Eligibility for Marie Curie and/or EMBO postdoctoral fellowship applications will be to your benefit.

Join us to undertake a highly innovative project that combines cell biology and plant physiology and that has the potential to discover novel ways how drought tolerance of plants can be increased.

We offer

• Stateoftheart laboratory environment.
• An inclusive group atmosphere and a spot in a dynamic and diverse team of researchers.
• A versatile and challenging academic environment with very diverse contacts.
• Various opportunities to broaden your expertise and to train in many cuttingedge technologies.
• Training courses in academic technical and career skills.
• An initial 1year contract which can be extended up to 4 years.

Starting Date: as soon as possible.

How to apply

Interested candidates can only apply through the VIB online application tool. Candidates should clearly specify whether they apply for the PhD or the postdoc position.

• A complete application file (English single pdf) should contain the following documents:
• A 1page summary of your research experiences and future goals
• A onepage letter of intent describing your motivation for this position. The motivation for the position should be focused on the project (what would you like to do when you get it) and not on previous achievements.
• a detailed CV including a publication list
• contact information of 23 references

The first review of applications will start from the moment applicants apply. A shortlist of applicants will be selected and invited for interviews. The position remains open until a suitable candidate is found.

For further information and questions please send an email to both Daniel Van Damme and to Francois Chaumont ( and ).