1. Master’s degree in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bioengineering, or Biology
2. Strong interest in interdisciplinary research combining microbiology, molecular biology, programming, and clinical research
3. High level of proficiency in English
4. Wet-lab experience, including bacterial and human cell culture
5. Knowledge of coding/programming and/or microbial sequencing is considered an asset
6. Strong critical thinking skills, ability to work independently, effective problem-solving capacity, and a collaborative team-oriented mindset.
Periodontitis is a highly prevalent, biofilm-mediated disease characterized by variable responses to non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) and frequent disease recurrence. Adjunctive antimicrobials are therefore commonly used; however, systemic antibiotics contribute to the global burden of antimicrobial resistance, while the clinical efficacy of antimicrobial mouthrinses varies substantially between individuals due to differences in oral microbial composition.
This PhD project within the Periodontology and Oral Microbiology (P&OM) research group aims to develop PAM-Select, an innovative clinical decision-support tool that personalizes antimicrobial mouthrinse selection based on patient-specific microbial profiles. The goal is to improve treatment outcomes while reducing unnecessary antimicrobial use.
For this project, we seek a highly motivated PhD candidate to join an interdisciplinary research project focused on personalizing adjunctive antimicrobial mouthrinse therapy in non-surgical periodontal treatment using patient-derived microbial genotypic and phenotypic data. The successful candidate will develop and validate dynamic models of patient-driven biofilms, investigate genotypic and phenotypic biofilm changes following antimicrobial interventions, and assess the immunogenicity of differently treated biofilms. In addition, the candidate will contribute to embedding experimental data into a clinical decision-support tool and participate in its clinical evaluation.
The planned starting date for the PhD position is the 1st of March.
The P&OM research group focuses on a broad range of topics related to understanding and managing dysbiosis in oral diseases, with a particular emphasis on periodontal diseases.The research group is part of the department of Oral Health Sciences (OHS) in the group of Biomedical Sciences at KU Leuven.
7. A 4-year PhD research fellow position leading to a PhD degree in Biomedical Sciences at KU Leuven
8. Collaboration with Ghent University (Prof. Nico Boon; CMET) and the possibility of obtaining a joint PhD degree in Bioengineering
9. Guidance and support to apply for a PhD fellowship from FWO–Vlaanderen
10. Access to state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure
11. Close supervision and training in both experimental and computational approaches
12. Opportunities for collaboration with clinical and bioinformatics experts
13. Participation in international conferences and training programs
14. A stimulating and collegial research culture at one of Europe’s leading research universities
15. A stay in a vibrant environment in the heart of Europe. The university is in Leuven, a town of approximately 100,000 inhabitants, located close to Brussels (25 km) and 15 minutes by train from Brussels International Airport. This strategic positioning and the strong presence of the university, international research centers, and industry lead to a safe town with a high quality of life, welcome to non-Dutch-speaking people, and ample opportunities for social and sports activities. The mixture of cultures and research fields are some ingredients, that make the University of Leuven the most innovative university in Europe. Further information can be found on the website of the university: https://www.kuleuven.be/english/kuleuven/