Postdoctoral researcher in evolutionary genomics

1 - Working at the VUB

For more than 50 years, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has stood for freedom, equality and solidarity, and this is very much alive on our campuses among students and staff alike. 

At the VUB, you will find a diverse collection of personalities: innovators pur sang, but above all people who are 100% their authentic selves. With some 4,000 employees, we are the largest Dutch-speaking employer, in the private sector, in Brussels; an international city with which we are only too happy to connect and where (around) our 4 campuses are located. 

Add to this our principle of free research - in which self-reflection, a critical attitude and an open, creative mind around scientific and social issues are central - and you have a university that is fundamentally groundbreaking and pioneering in education and research. In short: the VUB all over again. 

Moreover, the VUB is a member of EUTOPIA, an alliance of like-minded European universities, all ready to reinvent themselves.

2 - Position description

The Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences, Department Biology, Research Group Ecology, Evolution and Genetics is looking for a postdoctoral researcher with a grant. 

More concretely your work package, as a Postdoctoral researcher in evolutionary genomics of sex chromosomes and sex-specific recombination in anurans and for the validation of your doctoral research and, contains: 

A postdoctoral position is available in the Ma lab: Evolutionary Genomics of Sex (https://www.wmalab.com) in the Biology Department at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium). Our lab aims to understand how sex chromosomes and sex determination systems evolve, why they are highly labile in some lineages but extremely stable in others, and how recombination shapes these dynamics across the tree of life.
You will work on a project focused on sex chromosomes and extreme heterochiasmy across anuran lineages, with a particular emphasis on:

• assembling and analysing large, repeat-rich frog genomes;
• performing comparative genomics across lineages with different sex-determining systems (XY, ZW, homomorphic vs differentiated sex chromosomes);
• investigating the drivers of sex chromosome turnover, transposable elements and repeats landscape and evolution;
• studying the evolution of sex-specific recombination rates and landscapes.

The project will involve field sampling and basic molecular lab work, and will combine long-read genome assembly, comparative and population genomics, and the analysis of recombination patterns and structural variation. Depending on the candidate’s interests and expertise, there will also be opportunities to integrate cytogenetics and/or evo-devo approaches, as appropriate to the project’s goals.

For this function, our Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Elsene) will serve as your home base. 

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

• You hold a PhD in evolutionary biology, genomics, bioinformatics, or a closely related field.

• You have a solid expertise in evolutionary/population genomics and molecular evolution, with clear interest in sex chromosomes/sex determination, recombination (heterochiasmy), transposable elements evolution, or genome evolution in non-model species;
• You have a proven experience analysing high-throughput sequencing data, ideally including genome assembly and/or comparative genomics (large or repeat-rich genomes are a plus);
• You have strong programming and data analysis skills (e.g. Python and/or R, Unix), and you are familiar with reproducible workflows;
• You are motivated to work on frog genomes to understand sex chromosome turnover and the evolution of recombination landscapes, and to link genomic patterns to evolutionary mechanisms;
• Your experience in prior fieldwork is preferred;
• You have a valid EU driving licence (or equivalent);
• You are willing to contribute to ongoing projects, co-supervise MSc/BSc students, and (optionally) be involved in a small amount of teaching.

• You stayed abroad for at least 12 months of the 3 years preceding the start date, and during this period you did not work or study in Belgium. However, during these 12 months, short-term stays in Belgium are allowed such as holidays, participation in conferences or a short stay to prepare your stay as a postdoctoral researcher.

• As a (non-)EEA national, meet the conditions for obtaining a valid permit for VUB and comply with the VUB residence requirements. More info here.

The VUB wants to be a reflection of the society where everyone's talent is valued, regardless of gender, age, religion, skin color, migration background, disability and neurodiversity.

4 - Offer

Are you going to be our new colleague?

You’ll be offered a full-time postdoctoral scholarship, for 12 months (extendable up to max. 36 months, on condition of the positive evaluation of the research activities), with planned starting date 01/06/2026. 

You’ll receive a grant linked to one of the scales set by the government.

At the VUB, you’re guaranteed an open, involved and diverse workplace where you are offered opportunities to (further) build on your career.

As well as this, you will also enjoy various other benefits:

• Extensive homeworking options, a telework allowance of 50 euros per month OR an internet fee of 20 euros per month;
• An open and informal working environment where attention is paid to work-life balance, and exceptional holiday arrangements with 35 days of leave (based on a fulltime contract), closure between Christmas and New Year and 3 extra leave days;
• Cost-free hospitalisation insurance;
• Full reimbursement of your home-to-work commute with public transport according to VUB-policy, and/or compensation if you come by bike; 
• A wide selection of meals in our campus restaurants at attractive prices;
• Excellent and affordable facilities for sport and exercise, a range of discounts via Benefits@Work (in  all kinds of shops, on flights, in petrol stations, amusement parks...) and Ecocheques; 
• Nursery near campus, discount on holiday camps; 
• The space to form your job content and to continuously learn through our VUB learning platforms and training courses;
• And finally: great colleagues with a healthy drive.

5 - Interested?

Is this the job you’ve been dreaming of?

Then apply, at the latest on 10/03/2026, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents:

• your CV;
• your motivation letter (summary of your qualifications, why you, research directions and career goals);
• your diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni).
• contact information for three references (be contacted after shortlisting candidates)

Our application process is as follows (subject to change):

• step 1: an initial selection based on your application file; 
• step 2: a job interview.

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Prof. Wen-Juan Ma at wen-juan.ma@vub.be or on +32 2 629 34 16.

Would you like to know what it’s like to work at the VUB? Go to jobs.vub.be, and find all there is to know about our campuses, benefits, strategic goals and your future colleagues.

Would you like more information about EUTOPIA? Go to eutopia-university.eu, and read more about the role of the VUB in the development of the EUTOPIA alliance.