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Senior research fellow in evolutionary genomics

Category:  Academic Staff & Researchers

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, Departement of Biology, is looking for a senior research fellow. 

 

More concretely your work package contains: 

 

Education and Research domain:

 

Ecology, Evolution and Genetics

 

Education tasks:

 

  • You will contribute to both introductory courses at bachelor level and advanced, research-oriented courses at the master's level, to primarily support the education of the Biology department.
  • Initially, you will participate in the cross-domain courses:
    • ‘Integrated Practical Biology' (3 ECTS,2nd Bachelor Biology);
    • 'Integrated Practical Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences' (6 ECTS, Master Biology);
    • 'Bioethics' (3 ECTS, Master Biology).

 

Research tasks:

 

  • You will conduct high-quality research in the field of evolutionary biology by joining the Evolutionary Genomics of Sex lab to advance research in the fields of sex chromosome evolution, sex determination, asexuality, and speciation.
  • You will also provide supervision and mentorship to members of the Ma lab, fostering a collaborative and productive research environment.
  • You will develop and build your own high-quality and distinct research program in synergy with other members of the Department of Biology, in particular, you will conduct cutting-edge research on monoecious and gonochoristic Caenorhabditis nematodes to explore the interplay between sexual selection and environmental adaptation. 
  • You will build a substantial publication output with articles in high quality journals.
  • You will submit high-quality research projects as (co-)supervisor.
  • You will be responsible for (co-)supervising master's theses and doctoral theses.
  • Through research, you will strengthen the international image/reputation of the Department of Biology.
     

 

Other tasks:

 

  • You are expected to actively contribute to the functioning of the Biology Department and, where possible, the faculty.

 

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 have a PhD in evolutionary biology, evolutionary genetics, sexual conflict and speciation or related domains. 

 

  • You have at least five years of postdoc research experience:
    • High-quality research output;
    • Experience working with various NGS datasets, comparative genomics and sex chromosome evolution;
    • Extensive international work experience and visibility within the relevant networks;
    • Experience with or potential for successfully acquiring research funding;
    • Experience with or potential for successfully supervising PhD researchers.

 

  • You subscribe to the university’s vision of education. The full text in relation to this is available on the university website.

 

  • Language regulations: 

A member of the academic staff who is entrusted with a teaching assignment must also be able to demonstrate that the language of instruction is known at ERK level C1 through a qualification certificate or through an adequate diploma. The VUB also provides courses in, for example, academic English.

 

The administrative language of the VUB is Dutch. In case of insufficient knowledge of Dutch, the VUB will provide an integration course. After a maximum of five years, a member of the academic staff must demonstrate adequate knowledge of the administrative language (ERK level B2).

 

For a complete overview, please consult the complete language regulations on https://jobs.vub.be/content/Regulations-concerning-language-proficiency/. 

 

Certificates demonstrating knowledge of the language can already be added to the application. 

 

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 an appointment, for an assignment of 0.9 FTE, for 3 years (renewable, on condition of the positive evaluation of the activities), with planned starting date 01/04/2025. 

 

You’ll receive a salary 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 31/12/2024, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents:

  • your CV, including you academic dossier;
  • your motivation letter;
  • your diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni).

 

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Prof. Dr. Luc Leyns at Luc.Leyns@vub.be

 

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.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS VACANCY?

You can contact the person mentioned in the job description.

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