First Assistant in Bioinformatics and Genomics of Algae, Plants and Micro-organisms

JOB REFERENCE: PSRA270301

Start date: 01/10/2027

The University of Liège is the largest French-speaking public university in Belgium. It employs more than 5,700 staff members across four campuses, including 3,600 active teachers and researchers in all fields of the human and social sciences, science and technology, and health sciences. It hosts nearly 27,000 students of 123 different nationalities in one of the most multicultural and dynamic cities in Europe, less than an hour from Brussels and Cologne, two hours from Paris, and three hours from London and Amsterdam.

Actively involved in the social and environmental transition, ULiège supports students to fulfil their roles as responsible citizens (training in sustainable development, Green Office, etc.) and promotes ethical, multidisciplinary and open research. ULiège is committed to the region in which it operates and contributes towards local socio-economic development. It has developed numerous partnerships, notably with the university hospital. International and united, it participates in the European University of Post-Industrial Cities, UNIC initiative and has one of the most extensive collaborative networks in the world.

ULiège offers attractive career prospects in a high-quality working environment, promoting well-being, diversity and equality of opportunity. Since 2011, ULiège has been proud to display the European Human resources strategy for researchers (HRS4R) label, which reflects its commitment to open, transparent and merit-based procedures. In addition, it recognises the quality and diversity of research in line with the recommendations of the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA). ULiège encourages its academic staff to travel internationally and welcomes international researchers through its EURAXESS centre.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job of first assistant, in the field of “Bioinformatics and Genomics of Algae, Plants and Micro-organisms” within the Department of Life Sciences.

TEACHING ACTIVITIES

The teaching load amounts to around 150 hours per year. Courses may be taught to students of the Faculty of Sciences – Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences (B Bio), Master’s in Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology (M BBMC), Master’s in Bioinformatics and Modelling (M BIM), Master’s in Biology of Organisms and Ecology (M BOE) – as well as to students of other faculties, such as those enrolled in the Bachelor’s in Veterinary Medicine.

Priority activities

• Contribute towards supervising practical work in computing, bioinformatics, genomics, phylogenetics, phycology and basic plant biology, as required, and possibly in general biology;
• Contribute to the lectures in some of these courses, particularly at Master’s level (M BBMC and M BIM).

For example, the first assistant may be required to contribute to the following courses:

Practical work:

• INFO0205-2: Introduction to IT and applications to biology; P. Meyer
• STAT0077-1: Biological data processing and analysis; P. Meyer
• MICRO0720-1: Phycology and mycology; D. Baurain
• GENE0448-1: Methods in phylogenetics; D. Baurain

Lectures:

• BIOC0729-1: Adaptation, evolution and diversity; D. Baurain et al.
• INFO0944-1: Bioinformatics case studies across the Tree of Life; M. Hanikenne et al.

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

1. The research activities of the first assistant shall focus on bioinformatics applied to the genomics of micro-organisms, particularly (but not exclusively) photosynthetic ones, while maintaining links with plant biology and, more broadly, with integrative approaches combining experimental data and computational analysis.
2. The exact research topic remains open but should complement those developed within the InBioS Research Unit, notably in the “Genetics, Physiology, Evolution and Symbiosis of Microalgae” axis, and should be aligned with other local expertise.
3. The research may focus on the development, adaptation and use of workflows for analysing genomic and post-genomic data, as well as on the scientific exploitation of biological collections (collections of living and preserved micro-organisms and, where relevant, of plants), in close interaction with national and international infrastructures and networks.
4. The post-holder is expected to:
   • Conduct high-quality research, aligned with the strategic areas identified by the Department of Life Sciences and the InBioS Research Unit;
   • Actively seek funding (regional, national and international) to support their projects;
   • Participate in the development of a network of international collaborations;
   • Monitor technological and methodological developments in bioinformatics and genomics.

SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY

In addition to the usual ongoing contribution to the smooth running of the University, the first assistant shall contribute towards:

• Providing scientific and methodological support to students, PhD students and postdoctoral researchers within the Department and the Research Unit, particularly in bioinformatic and genomic analysis and data management;
• Developing and maintaining good Open Science practices, including compliance with the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable);
• Fostering scientific interactions with collections of micro-organisms, including internationally, and their development through genomic and bioinformatic approaches;
• More broadly, the shared missions of the Department of Life Sciences.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED / PROFILE

Applicants shall:

• Hold a Doctorate in Sciences, Applied Sciences or Agronomic Sciences and Biological Engineering, ideally in the field of bioinformatics or genomics applied to plants or micro-organisms, at the time of submitting their application;
• Ideally, have international experience in the field (e.g. a post-doctoral stay, participation in international conferences), although this is not an essential requirement;
• Demonstrate expertise in bioinformatics applied to genomics, including the design and use of analysis workflows;
• Demonstrate flexibility, a strong interest in teaching and supervising practical work, and the ability to teach a variety of practical classes, including at Bachelor’s level;
• Have teaching skills, as well as written and oral communication skills (French and English) and digital skills.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

1. The selection procedure complies with the regulations applicable within the University of Liège.
2. Following an examination of the eligibility of applications and a preliminary evaluation of them, candidates shortlisted by the Faculty Committee shall be invited to an interview, the format of which shall be communicated to them.
3. The procedure consists of several successive steps and the intervention of various consultative bodies before the Board of Directors reaches its final decision. Several months may pass between submission of the application and the end of the procedure. Applicants shall be officially informed of the result of their applications at the end of the procedure.
4. Our institutional policy is based on diversity and equal opportunity. We select candidates based on their qualities and regardless of their age, sexual orientation, origin, beliefs, disability or nationality.

APPLICATIONS

Applicants are requested to submit their full application file electronically, containing all the documents required, to the following address: Postesscientifiques@uliege.be with a copy to Ms. Ninfa GRECO - N.Greco@uliege.be. To be eligible, applications must be submitted no later than 24 November 2026 at 11:59 pm. (Belgian time).

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

All the following documents must be submitted by email, in PDF format. If your application is too large, you may send a link. This link must remain accessible for at least one week after the closing date for applications.

• Cover letter.
• Curriculum vitae.*
• Copies of diplomas and certificates.
• Research appendix: a research portfolio (4 pages maximum) containing a report on past and ongoing research activities, as well as a research plan explaining how the proposed research would be integrated into the University of Liège.
• Teaching appendix: a teaching portfolio (4 pages maximum), including a report on past and ongoing teaching activities, as well as a teaching plan in line with the job description.
• Complete list of publications.*
• Other documents required: a copy of their five most representative publications (a link may be provided), with a short explanation of why they were selected.

* The format expected by the Faculty of Sciences for the CV and list of publications is set out HERE.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The appointment will be made for a two-year renewable term and may lead to a permanent appointment after an evaluation, or, in certain exceptional circumstances, immediately on a permanent basis.

INFORMATION

Further information regarding the nature of the duties may be obtained from the Chair of the Department of Life Sciences: Professor Claire Perilleux – tel.: +32 (0)4 366 38 33 – cperilleux@uliege.be

Additional information may be obtained from: Ms. Ninfa Greco, Administrative Director of the Faculty of Sciences – tel.: +32 (0)4 366 50 41 – n.greco@uliege.be

REMUNERATION

The salary grids and their rules of application are available from the Human Resources Department of the University: Ms. Valérie Melotte – val.melotte@uliege.be