Doctoraatsbursaal in stressfysiologie bij planten met het oog op duurzame gewasproductie en slimme combinatie van landbouw en zonne-energie (agri-PV) (100%)

About the role

You will work on an interdisciplinary PhD at the intersection of plant sciences and sensor technology. Within the CROPTICS project, you will investigate how plants respond to tailored light conditions under Agri-PV and simultaneously collaborate on developing sensors to monitor plant growth in real time.

Your research will focus on the impact of different spectral compositions on crop yield and health, contributing to strategies for using Agri-PVs in fruit cultivation to ensure qualitative yield while generating energy. You will employ a range of molecular, biochemical, and physiological techniques to analyze crop yield, quality, and plant stress parameters, using sensors to monitor plant and fruit growth in real time.

You will operate within an interdisciplinary framework (biology—plant responses and engineering—Agri-PVs and sensors) and collaborate with members of the Plant Abiotic Stress Biology research group as well as the Engineering Materials and Applications research group.

You will be involved in supervising practical sessions and workshops organized within the biology and biomedical sciences programs. You will also mentor bachelor’s and master’s students during their lab internships.

About the team

This vacancy is part of the multidisciplinary research project “Crop-centered perovskite photovoltaics: CROPTICS,” a joint initiative between Hasselt University and PCFruit. The project bridges the Plant Abiotic Stress Biology (PASS, Faculty of Sciences) research group at the Centre for Environmental Sciences and the Engineering Materials and Applications (EMAP, Faculty of Industrial Engineering Sciences) research group at the Institute for Materials Research.

The CROPTICS project explores how solar panels and agriculture can be better combined on the same land. We develop thin-film solar panels that transmit the specific light plants need while using the rest to generate green energy. Simultaneously, we study how this technology affects plant growth and the broader ecosystem.

Requirements

• You hold (or will soon hold) a master’s degree in biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, biomedical sciences, bioengineering, or industrial engineering in biochemistry (or equivalent).
• You have a foundational knowledge of molecular biology, biochemistry, and physiology.
• You are interested in the design, production, and use of sensors to monitor plant growth.
• You possess basic data-analysis skills.
• You are collegial and work well in a team.
• You work meticulously and have strong problem-solving abilities.
• You are willing to expand your knowledge and skills (e.g., through short stays abroad) if required for the research.
• You communicate fluently in English, both written and orally.
• You can present and report project results clearly.
• You work pragmatically and independently.
• You hold a category B driver’s license.

Benefits

You will be appointed and compensated as a PhD scholarship researcher. We offer a two-year doctoral scholarship, with the possibility of a two-year extension following a positive evaluation by the doctoral committee.

For content-related questions, email ann.cuypers@uhasselt.be or wim.deferme@uhasselt.be. For questions about the selection procedure, email jobs@uhasselt.be.