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Department: Vaccine & infectious disease institute

Regime Full-time

Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20 000 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 6000 employees from 100 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. 

The Laboratory of Experimental Hematology (LEH), part of the Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO) of the Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, is looking for a full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship holder in the field of CAR-T cell therapy for hematological malignancies.

Position

• You will work actively on the preparation and defense of a PhD thesis in the field of CAR-T cell-based immunotherapy for hematological malignancies, with a focus on acute myeloid leukemia. Your work will contribute to the development of the next-generation CAR-T cell therapies for hematological cancers.
• You will publish scientific articles related to the research project.

Profile

• You hold a Master degree recognized by the EU (or you will have obtained it by the time you start work) in one of the following disciplines: Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Biotechnology or Pharmaceutical Sciences.
• You can demonstrate excellent study results.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• Strong interest in basic research; cancer immunology, cellular immunity, cell therapy, gene engineering, and/or molecular biology.
• You have practical skills/are interested in cellular biology (including sterile mammalian cell culture, viral transduction, mRNA electroporation, flow cytometry, cell sorting) and in molecular biology (including plasmid vector design, plasmid linearization, in vitro transcription of mRNA, PCR).
• You have general knowledge on experimental planning and data (statistical) analysis.
• You are solution-oriented and a critical thinker.
• You have excellent writing and communication skills; excellent command of academic English (written, oral and comprehension) is highly desirable.
• You can work independently as well as in a team.

What we offer

• We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of two years. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed for another two years. Nevertheless, you are expected to apply for a doctoral grant of the Research Fund – Flanders (FWO).
• The planned start date is 1 October 2023.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for contract research staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
• You will do most of your work at the Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, located at the Antwerp University Hospital in Edegem, Belgium in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 7 August 2023. Click on the 'Apply' button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments: a motivation letter and your academic CV.
• The selection committee will review all of the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Prof. Dr. Sébastien Anguille (sebastien.anguille@uantwerpen.be).

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.