Let’s shape the future – University of Antwerp
The Gut-Immune-Brain Axis Lab (Prof. Seppe De Schepper, VIB-UAntwerp) and the Brain and Systems Immunology Lab (Prof. Kiavash Movahedi, VUB) have a vacancy for a full-time (%) co-joint doctoral project to study tissue-resident macrophages in neurological disorders. This collaborative doctoral project is embedded within the Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences of the University of Antwerp and the Brussels Center for Immunology at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
Description
This project will investigate how peripheral immune signals shape brain and brain-border immunity and drive neuroinflammation in synucleinopathies and other neurodegenerative diseases. The candidate will employ advanced in vivo models and spatial technologies to dissect the roles of tissue-resident macrophages and infiltrating immune cells along the periphery–immune–brain axis.
About us
The research team of Prof. Seppe De Schepper investigates how peripheral immune signals influence brain health and disease. We focus on tissue-resident macrophages and immune cell trafficking from periphery to brain. The research team of Prof. Kiavash Movahedi investigates brain immunology with a focus on microglia and non-parenchymal brain macrophages, and how these cells contribute to brain homeostasis, neuroinflammation, and disease.
The VIB-UAntwerp Center is part of VIB and embedded within the, a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. The University of Antwerp offers an innovative academic education to more than students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than employees from different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape.
Position
1. You will work actively on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis in the field of neuroimmunology
2. You will publish scientific articles related to the research project
3. You will carry out a limited number of research and teaching support tasks
Profile
4. You hold a Master degree in biomedical sciences or related life science discipline
5. We are looking for candidates with hands-on experience or a strong interest in spectral imaging techniques, confocal microscopy, and bioinformatic analyses
6. Experience in mouse work is highly desirable
7. Interest in macrophage biology and neurodegenerative disorders
8. Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s
9. Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and
10. Excellent communication skills and fluency in English
11. You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation
What we offer
12. We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of two years. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed once for another two-year period
13. The planned start date is 1 November, latest
14. Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the for doctoral scholarship holders
15. You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting
16. You will do most of your work at VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology (campus Drie Eiken) and the VUB Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Elsene), within a dynamic and stimulating working environment
As part of both VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology and the Brussels Center for Immunology, the applicant will benefit from established collaborations and access to centralized facilities with expertise in functional genomics and cell biology, proteomics, cutting-edge microscopy, immunology, technology development, and bioinformatics.
VIB provides a highly interactive environment and ample training opportunities for its researchers. The VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology is located in the city of Antwerp, the capital of Flanders, offering a culturally and historically rich and ethnically diverse environment.
17. The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure.
18. If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the or send an email to .