Post-doctoral Researcher (20455) - Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry

   →  Apply before 09/09/2021 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels Time)
→  Faculty of Sciences
→  Department: WE07 - Organische en Macromoleculaire Chemie
→  Occupancy rate: 100%
→  Number of positions: 1.00
→  Type of employment: Contract of limited duration
→  Term of assignment: 2 jaar
→  Wage scale:  PD1 to PD4 (doctoral degree)
→  Required diploma: PhD 

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 8,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

YOUR TASKS

We welcome candidates for a postdoctoral fellow position within a project on cultured meat. In this project, 1 postdoctoral fellow will be recruited. This project is a collaboration between UGent (Faculty of Bioscience Engineering - Prof. S. De Smet, Prof. K. Dewettinck, Prof. J. Van Camp, Prof. J. Dewulf, Prof. W. Verbeke, Prof. B. Sas; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Prof. C. De Schauwer en Dr. B. Devriendt; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences - Prof. J. van Hengel; Faculty of Sciences – Prof. S. Van Vlierberghe) and KU Leuven campus Kortrijk (Tissue Engineering Lab - Prof. L. Thorrez).
Short summary of the CUSTOMEAT project: Cultured stem cells for customized meat design
Cellular agriculture is a promising avenue for sustainably contributing to the growing food demand. In this respect, cultured or in vitro meat receives increasing attention. Yet, there is currently no scientific evidence that animal myofibers equivalent to meat as a nutrient dense, highly structured food, can be made in vitro. This project will address several existing hurdles. A major challenge is to obtain a suitable cell type capable of both sufficient proliferation and robust differentiation. Muscle adult progenitor cells have a very good differentiation capacity, yet weak proliferation capacity, whereas mesenchymal and embryonic stem cells display the opposite behavior. First, we will compare and enhance the proliferation and differentiation capacity of these three cell types, resulting in an informed choice of cell type for myofiber generation. Secondly, we will design a ‘smart matrix’, including foodgrade components that contribute to texture, flavor and a good nutritional profile. This involves a proper choice of materials which is mutually dependent on the technological approaches to create a 3D structure. Physicochemical stability of, and cellular adhesion and survival on these new matrices will be investigated. The best performing smart matrices will be tested on their potential to support muscle cell differentiation. These insights will be subsequently used to increase muscle fiber size and to study in vitro muscle development in a 3D architecture. In addition, strategies for stimulating the build-up of contractile proteins will be investigated. This project will deliver a sound scientific basis and assessment of key technologies for advancing knowledge in this field and allowing informed decision making for downstream valorization strategies.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

•    PhD degree in Bioscience Engineering, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Medicine, Chemistry or an equivalent degree.
•    Background and expertise in one or more of the following disciplines: tissue engineering, cell culturing, bio-assays, microscopy, statistical analysis
•    Have a critical scientific attitude and good analytical and planning skills.
•    Able to take on responsibilities, work independently but also as part of an interdisciplinary research team.
•    Have good communication, interpersonal and leading skills.
•    Fluency in spoken and written English.
•    Flexible towards working place (several faculties of UGent and campus Kortrijk of KULeuven).

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

-    Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale WM1 to WM4 (if you hold a Master’s degree) or salary scale PD1 to PD4 (if you hold a doctorate).  Click here for 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, 35 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, a bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits (in Dutch).

INTERESTED?

Apply online through the e-recruitment system before the application deadline (see above). We do not accept late applications or applications that are not submitted 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 “other documents”: a reference letter, an overview of your study results

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. Sandra Van Vlierberghe ([email protected] , +32(0)9/264.45.08). Important: do NOT send your application by email, but apply online.

Do you have a question regarding the online application process? Please read our FAQ .