PhD1: Investigating how blocking endocytosis in a tissue-specific way affects plant development.

PhD2: Investigating how Secretory Carrier Membrane Proteins (SCAMPs) affect the homeostasis of integral plasma membrane proteins.

Plants modulate their communication with the environment by dynamically adapting the protein composition of their outer membrane barrier, the plasma membrane. How plasma membrane homeostasis is orchestrated and how it affects plant development are key questions that are being investigated in the Van Damme lab. Integral plasma membrane proteins are synthesized in the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and traffic via exocytosis from the ER via the Golgi compartment to the trans Golgi network and from there to the plasma membrane. Reversely, endocytosis removes proteins from the plasma membrane back to the trans Golgi network. Post translational modifications such as ubiquitination mark the proteins that need to be internalized and lead to the recruitment of several endocytic adaptor and effector proteins involved in forming an endocytic vesicle that pinches of from the plasma membrane. The two PhD positions that are available will focus on the exocytosis (PhD 2) and on the endocytosis aspect (PhD 1) of endomembrane trafficking in Arabidopsis.

So far, the effects of blocking endocytosis in plants have been investigated at the organismal level, often causing very strong developmental effects. The aim of PhD topic 1 is to impair endocytic internalization in a subset of cells or tissues in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and to investigate how this affects cell division and growth for example. This will be achieved using either tissue-specific CRISPR approaches or via tissue-specific inducible overexpression of dominant negative isoforms of the endocytic machinery. The research of will involve generating mutant lines via crispr and inducible over expression, live cell imaging and plant phenotyping under various stress conditions.

Secretory Carrier Membrane Proteins (SCAMP) are known trafficking proteins in animal cells. Arabidopsis SCAMP5 was identified as a cargo of the endocytic TPLATE complex (Arora et al., Plant Cell 2020). Subsequent interactomics analysis identified several transmembrane plasma membrane proteins as common interactors of several SCAMPs. For one family of interactors, the plasma membrane aquaporins, it was already shown that their abundance at the plasma membrane relies on these SCAMPs (Jiang & Hdedeh et al., BioRxiv 2025). The aim of PhD topic 2 is to unveil how SCAMP proteins assist in trafficking integral plasma membrane proteins. This will be done using biochemical and proteomics approaches following plasma membrane purification, by live cell imaging of identified SCAMP interactors (cargo) in scamp mutant backgrounds and by mechanistical identification of the SCAMP-cargo interaction using modelling and targeted mutagenesis.

Profile PhD 1 position

Essential

Recent Master's degree in Plant Biotechnology, Plant Physiology, Biology, Molecular Biology, Physiology, or a related discipline. You are fluent in English (at least a B2 level of proficiency).

Desirable

Experience to work with Arabidopsis, plant development and fluorescence-based microscopy.

Profile PhD 2 position

Essential

Recent Master's degree in Plant Biotechnology, Plant Physiology, Biology, Molecular Biology, Physiology, or a related discipline. You are fluent in English (at least a B2 level of proficiency).

Desirable

Experience with proteomics and an interest in plant cell biology and biochemistry-based research.

Key personal characteristics

We welcome applications from dynamic individuals with a strong curiosity and drive for breakthrough science. Ideal candidates are team players who 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. Join my team to undertake a highly innovative project that combines cell biology with plant development.

We offer

• A 4-year PhD position
• A working climate, in which trust, international collaboration, and commitment are essential.
• State-of-the-art 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 yourself in many cutting-edge technologies.
• Training courses in academic, technical, and career-oriented skills.
• Starting Date: as soon as possible.

How to apply?

If you are interested in performing high quality science related with plant endomembrane trafficking, you can apply via e-mail (Daniel.Vandamme@vib.be) Indicate clearly for which position you are applying (or for both).

Make sure your application includes:

A detailed CV with past research activities and your place within the cohort (your ranking among your peers) for your master degree.

A one-page motivation letter, describing how your expertise and ambitions match the research theme.

The names and contact details of two to three referees.

A first review of applications will start immediately. A short list of applicants will be selected based on the CV and motivation letter. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interviews.

Applications are welcome until the position is filled

About the Van Damme lab:

The VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology (PSB) is a world-leading 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 www.psb.ugent.be for more information. Research at the Van Damme lab (https://www.vandammelab.be/) is centred 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.