Research Technician – Plant Transformation

About the role

The VIB‑UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology seeks a Research Technician to support its Crop Genome Engineering Facility. You will work on soybean transformation pipelines, help establish tomato transformation protocols, and assist the maize team as needed, contributing to cutting‑edge plant biotechnology research.

Key responsibilities

• Maintain and execute the soybean transformation workflow, including molecular cloning, Agrobacterium infection, tissue culture, selection, genotyping and phenotyping.
• Develop and optimise protocols for tomato transformation and support maize transformation projects.
• Prepare culture media, perform in‑vitro plant tissue‑culture techniques, and manage greenhouse-grown plants.
• Contribute to R&D projects aimed at improving transformation efficiency and CRISPR/Cas9 delivery.
• Collaborate with colleagues in laboratory and greenhouse facilities in Zwijnaarde and Nevele.

Required profile

• Professional Bachelor degree in laboratory technology or a related field.
• Hands‑on experience with in‑vitro plant tissue culture and greenhouse plant handling.
• Good command of spoken and written English.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Valid driving licence B for occasional visits to the Nevele site.

Required skills

• Molecular cloning
• Agrobacterium transformation
• Plant tissue culture
• In‑vitro techniques and media preparation
• Genotyping
• Phenotyping
• CRISPR/Cas9 delivery methods
• Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

What we offer

• 1‑year fixed‑term contract with the possibility of extension.
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art labs and greenhouses in Zwijnaarde and Nevele.
• Opportunity to work in a leading international plant‑science institute.