Fully Funded PhD in Plant Genetics and Banana Breeding at KU Leuven KU Leuven in Belgium

KU Leuven’s Laboratory for Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement (PGCI) is offering a fully funded 4-year PhD position focused on inducing unreduced gametes (2n pollen) in banana (Musa spp.) to enable efficient triploid breeding. This project, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to overcome major challenges in banana breeding caused by polyploidy, sterility, and hybridization barriers. The research will combine fundamental plant reproductive biology with applied crop breeding, ensuring real-world impact on food security in Africa and Asia.

The doctoral researcher will investigate chemical, environmental, and genetic approaches to induce unreduced gametes in banana and uncover the biological mechanisms behind meiotic restitution. Core activities include screening chemical compounds and external factors that induce diploid pollen formation, cytological and cellular analysis of meiotic defects, genotypic and genomic characterization of induced 2n pollen, and optimization of protocols for triploid banana induction. The project also involves identifying key genetic regulators and developing biotechnological strategies for sexual polyploidization.

International collaboration is a key component, with field implementation and research visits in Tanzania (IITA) and Indonesia (BRIN). The candidate will engage with breeders and participate in a global scientific network. The position is based in Leuven, Belgium, and offers access to state-of-the-art molecular, cytogenetic, and genomics facilities, as well as training and career development through the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering.

Applicants should have a Master’s degree in life sciences (bioengineering, plant biology, genetics, genomics, biomedical sciences, or equivalent), with a strong background in plant genetics, reproductive biology, or crop breeding. Interest in cytology, microscopy, and molecular biology is expected, along with excellent English skills and willingness to travel internationally. The position is fully funded for four years, with a competitive salary and doctoral benefits under Belgian regulations.

To apply, candidates should submit their application via the KU Leuven online application tool, including a CV, motivation letter, degree certificates and transcripts, English language certificate (if available), and letters of recommendation (if available). The application deadline is 15 January 2026, but early applications are encouraged as screening is continuous.