Assistant Department of Biomolecular Medicine (27246)

25 May 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Ghent University

Research Field

Biological sciences » Other
Chemistry » Biochemistry
Engineering » Other
Medical sciences » Other
Pharmacological sciences » Other
Technology » Biotechnology

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Belgium

Application Deadline

9 Jul 2024 - 21:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

38

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

    →   Apply until 09/07/2024 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels time)
    →   Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
    →   Department GE31 - Department of Biomolecular Medicine
    →   AAP temporary appointment - 100%
    →   Number of openings: 1
    →   Reference number: 202405/GE31/AS/015

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

 

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing 15.000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, and technical and social services on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With each of its 11 faculties and more than 100 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes that are grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its employees as well as its students.

YOUR TASKS

 

At least 50% of your assignment will be spent on academic research in preparation of a doctoral dissertation.
Subject of the dissertation: Combining spatial proteomics and hiPSC-derived cortical neurons to characterize RNF216-mediated neurodegeneration: an enigmatic nuclear inclusion body disorder.
Neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of people worldwide and pose a challenge in an aging population. Well-known and common types of NDs are Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson's disease, however, many (ultra) rare types also exist. Recently, bi-allelic pathogenic variants in RNF216, encoding an E3-ubiquitin ligase, have been identified by the Dermaut lab and others as the cause of an ultra-rare neurodegenerative disease, clinically characterized by severe early-onset dementia along with movement abnormalities (ataxia/chorea) and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. The Dermaut lab initiated brain autopsy in one of the two Belgian RNF216 families which confirmed the presence of neuronal intranuclear ubiquitin-positive inclusions of unknown composition and pathogenic role. This leads to the hypothesis that RNF216 loss-of-function leads to intranuclear protein inclusion formation and subsequent neurodegeneration. In line with this hypothesis, the candidate will (aim 1) identify the culprit protein(s) in the intranuclear protein aggregates by spatial proteomics in the Impens lab, (aim 2) map the interactome of wild type RNF216 and pathogenic missense variants and (aim 3) decipher pathways leading to protein aggregation and neuronal death. Most interestingly, preliminary data points towards the existence of novel RNF216-mediated PML-like nuclear bodies, of which the (dys)regulation in the context of NDs will be characterized in-depth in this project.

The Dermaut lab focuses on the study of novel causal genes, variants and pathways implicated in rare inherited adult-onset neurodegenerative disorders. The Impens lab has strong expertise in advanced functional proteome analysis by mass spectrometry and is interested in the clinical importance of protein modifications. For the current project, the candidate will combine molecular and advanced (spatial) proteomics approaches with the use of human iPSC-derived neuronal cultures. Patient fibroblasts, PBMCs, brain tissue and clinical data have been collected and are available in the Dermaut lab, while spatial low-input proteomics approaches will be setup in the Impens lab as a novel technology.

 

• You will assist in the teaching activities at the department within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. The teaching duty includes a.o. practical courses, seminards and/or internships with a focus on biochemistry, protein research, molecular biology, genetics, bio-informatics and the integration of these domains. You will be actively involved in the organization, preparation, supervision and evaluation of several teaching methods.
• You will guide master students during their Master thesis.
• You will assist in the internal and external services of the department

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

 

• You hold a degree of Master in Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Bioengineering (cell and gene technology), Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences or similar studies. The degree requirement needs to be fulfilled at the start of your appointment
• For diplomas awarded outside the European Union, a certificate of equivalence (NARIC) must be submitted
• You are interested in academic and/or project-based research and services.
• Experience in molecular biomedical research is recommended.
• Holding (or are willing to obtain) a FELASA Category C certificate to work with laboratory animals is a plus. Previous experience with laboratory animal work is an advantage.
• You are highly motivated to participate in educational activities of the department.
• Any teaching experience or participation in extra training, conferences, etc. is recommended
• You have excellent teaching and communication skills

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

 

• We offer you a two-year appointment, which may be renewed twice for two years, on condition that the previous term was given a positive evaluation. Attention : If you have been previously appointed as a junior assistant or doctoral fellow at a university within the Flemish Community, this appointment will be deducted from the maximum term of appointment, which is six years at the most according to the Codex of Higher Education
• Your appointment will start on 1 october 2024 at the earliest
• Your remuneration will be determined according to salary scale AAP3. More information about our salary scales
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of paid leave, bicycle commuting reimbursement, ecocheques, etc. A complete overview of all our fringe benefits

 

The interview will presumably take place on Tuesday July 16, 2024.

INTERESTED?

 

Apply online through the e-recruitment systembefore the application deadline (see above). We do not accept late applications or applications that are not sent through the online system.

 

Your application must include the following documents:

 

• In the field ‘Cv’: your cv and an overview of your study results (merged into one pdf file)
• In the field ‘Cover letter’: your application letter in pdf format
• In the field ‘Diploma’: a transcript of the required degree (if already in your possession)
• If you have a foreign diploma in a language other than our national languages (Dutch, French or German) or English, please add a translation in one of the mentioned languages
• In the field ‘Certificate of equivalence’: only for diplomas awarded outside the European Union a certificate of equivalence (NARIC) must be submitted (if already in your possession, if not, you need to be able to provide proof that you have applied for a certificate of equivalence at the start of your appointment). The certificate can be requested via www.naricvlaanderen.be/en . For diplomas awarded in the UK before January 31st of 2020, a certificate of equivalence is not required

 

Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB.

 

As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.

MORE INFORMATION

 

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Bart Dermaut ([email protected] ) and Prof. Francis Impens ([email protected] ).

Do you have a question regarding the online application process? Please read the FAQ  or contact us via [email protected] or +32 9 264 34 36

Requirements

Research Field

Biological sciences

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Research Field

Chemistry

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Research Field

Engineering

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Research Field

Medical sciences

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Research Field

Pharmacological sciences

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Research Field

Technology

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Additional Information

Website for additional job details

https://academicpositions.com

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Ghent University

Country

Belgium

City

Ghent

Postal Code

9000

Street

Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 33

Where to apply

Website

https://academicpositions.com/ad/ghent-university/2024/assistant-department-of-…

Contact

City

Ghent

Website

http://www.ugent.be/en

Postal Code

9000

STATUS: EXPIRED