PhD in Microbiome-Assisted Biocontrol of Rice Grain Rot – KU Leuven

Key details

• Host institution: KU LEUVEN
• Location: KU LEUVEN, Leuven, Belgium
• Application deadline: October 1, 2026

Funding

Not funded by a EU programme

Funding level (from listing): partial or not via EU framework — confirm on the official call.

How to apply

• Apply by email to [email protected] (subject line and attachments per the official instructions).
• Full vacancy text and updates: Euraxess listing.

About the position

KU Leuven invites applications for a fully funded four-year PhD position to develop innovative microbiome-assisted biocontrol strategies against rice grain rot, a devastating bacterial disease caused by Burkholderia glumae. This disease threatens rice production in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, where yield losses can reach up to 75%, and its impact is expected to worsen under climate change. The project aims to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides through sustainable, environmentally friendly alternatives.

Research Focus

The project integrates fundamental and applied research across three lines:

• Characterization of Burkholderia glumae isolates from the Mekong Delta
• Identification of beneficial microorganisms and microbiome signatures in healthy rice fields using high-throughput sequencing and advanced bioinformatics
• Discovery, characterization, and evaluation of indigenous bacterial biocontrol agents that suppress rice grain rot

Techniques and Methods

The candidate will apply state-of-the-art techniques, including microbial isolation and culturing, plant infection assays, microbiome sequencing and analysis, whole genome sequencing, comparative genomics and genome mining, qPCR method development, and applied bioinformatics.

Collaboration and Output

The PhD will be conducted at KU Leuven in close collaboration with Can Tho University (Vietnam). The research is expected to yield multiple high-impact publications, presentations at international conferences, and close interaction with academic and industrial stakeholders.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate:

• Holds a Master’s degree in Engineering Technology, Bioscience Engineering, or a related discipline
• Has a strong interest in plant-microbe interactions, microbiome analysis, (comparative) genomics, and sustainable agriculture
• Enjoys combining laboratory research with computational data analysis
• Is eager to collaborate within an international multidisciplinary research consortium
• Is willing to present research at international conferences and publish in leading scientific journals
• Is enthusiastic about supporting teaching activities and supervising Bachelor and Master students
• Is proactive, creative, solution-oriented, and able to work independently while functioning well within a team
• Is well-organized, flexible, critical-thinking, and not afraid to take initiative
• Thinks in solutions, not in problems
• Has an excellent command of English (spoken and written)
• Is eager to apply for an independent fellowship with the support of the principal investigators

We Offer

• A fully funded four-year PhD position (initial one-year appointment, renewable up to four years following positive evaluation) at a leading European research university
• Access to state-of-the-art molecular biology and sequencing facilities
• Opportunities for international research visits and collaboration with researchers in Belgium and Vietnam
• An inspiring, interdisciplinary, and supportive research environment with strong international collaborations
• Support to participate in international conferences and publish in respected scientific journals
• Contribution to research with direct societal impact: developing sustainable alternatives to chemical pesticides and improving global food security

For more information, contact Prof. Hans Rediers ([email protected]).