KeyGene is one of the largest agro-biotech companies in the world. KeyGene delivers sustainable molecular genetic responses to the world’s need for stability in the yield, quality and health of crops. KeyGene assists breeding companies by providing cutting edge and proprietary breeding technology and trait platforms for their crop development. KeyGene is an internationally renowned R&D company with long term partners in the international seed industry. Our primary focus is on 6F1 crops. KeyGene has its headquarters in Wageningen, the Netherlands, a subsidiary in Rockville, USA and a Joint Lab at the Shanghai Institute of Biological Sciences in Shanghai, China.

As part of the EU sponsored Marie Curie Initial Training Network ‘epiTraits’ involving 9 academic institutes, 3 partner companies and 3 associate companies, and within the context of KeyGene’s postdoc program, the following position is open in the area of plant molecular biology and bio-informatics:

POSTDOC
Applied epigenomics
Vacancy number 12.003

Position
In this position you will contribute to KeyGene’s Advanced Molecular Breeding and Bio-Informatics & Modeling
platforms, which aim to identify and develop novel (sequence-based) applications for the plant breeding industry. The research project will focus on the role of epigenetic modification of genomes on important traits. Particularly, the aim of this project is to identify novel wetlab methods for the detection of epigenetic changes using state of the art equipment (e.g. Illumina HiSeq or PacBio RS). An important aspect of the work will be to develop bioinformatics tools for the processing and analysis of epigenomic datasets. Within the project you will closely collaborate with the other partners on both the wetlab and bioinformatics side of the analyses. Within KeyGene you will work in the bioinformatics department of dr. Roeland van Ham and in close interaction with dr. Paul Bundock of the Technology and Trait Mechanisms department.

Your profile
• PhD in molecular biology, plant breeding or bio-informatics
• Prior multidisciplinary experience is an asset
• Able to think critically in experimental design and interpretation
• Motivated to carry out fundamental scientific research with a strong focus towards application to plant
breeding
• Good communication skills
• Able to work independently as well as in a team
• Creative and result oriented

Special application requirements
For the recruitment of researchers in Marie Curie Initial Training Networks, special criteria apply. Importantly, a
postdoc candidate must (at the time of recruitment by the host organisation) must have less than five years of full-time equivalent research experience and must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies,
etc.) in the country of their host organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the
reference date. For application, please send us the following information:
• Motivation letter
• CV incl. TOEFL scores (www.ets.org), list of internships, publications (if applicable), PhD project details
• Grades (with explanation on the grading system)
• Two letters of recommendation and contact information of two referees

KeyGene offer
KeyGene offers you a senior position in a challenging, highly innovative and ambitious research company with an internationally recognized position in crop genetic research. www.keygene.com.