Postdoc position: Neuroimmunology and/or Neuroinflammation

The research team of Prof. Emanuela Pasciuto studies the complex interactions between the immune and nervous systems. We have discovered a population of brain resident T-cells regulating microglia maturation,  challenging current dogmas in the field of neuroimmunology. Our main objective is to gain mechanistic insights into the contribution of T cells to brain plasticity and their impact in neurodegenerative, and neurodevelopmental disorders.

The lab of Prof. Emanuela Pasciuto at the VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology - Labs has a vacancy for a highly motivated postdoctoral scientist with research experience in neuroimmunology and/or neuroinflammation. The applicant should be passionate about driving and performing research and associated laboratory tasks and be able to work independently.

The VIB-UAntwerp Center is part of VIB, a Life Sciences institute with colleague-researchers in neuroscience, cancer, biotechnology, structural biology, and immunology amongst others, and an extensive set of core facilities and opportunities for technology transfer. The VIB-UAntwerp Center is also embedded within the University of Antwerp. The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking university, offering an innovative academic education to more than 20 000 students; conducting pioneering scientific research, and playing an important service-providing role in society with more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries.

Selected references:

Yshii L.*, Pasciuto E*, Bielefeld P.*, Mascali L., Lemaitre P., Marino M., Dooley J., Kouser L., Verschoren S., Lagou V., Kemps H., Gervois P, de Boer A, Burton O.T., Wahis J., Verhaert J., Tareen S., Roca C. P., Singh K., Whyte C. E., Kerstens A., Callaerts-Vegh Z., Poovathingal S, Prezzemolo T., Wierda K., Dashwood A, Xie J., Van Wonterghem E., Creemers E., Aloulou M., Gsell W., Abiega O., Munck S., Vandenbroucke R. E., Bronckaers A., Lemmens R., De Strooper B., Van Den Bosch L., Himmelreich U., Fitzsimons C. P., Holt M.G. # ,Liston A.# (2022). Synthetic delivery of IL2 expands the brain regulatory T cell population and effectively prevents pathological neuroinflammation. Nature Immunology, 23 (6). doi: 10.1038/s41590-022-01208-z .*, # First Author, Equal contribution

 Pasciuto E.*., Burton, O.T.*, Roca, C.P.*, Lagou, V., Rajan, W.D., Theys, T., Mancuso, R., Tito, R.Y., Kouser, L., Callaerts-Vegh, Z., de la Fuente, A.G., Prezzemolo, T., Mascali, L.G., Brajic, A., Whyte, C.E., Yshii, L., Martinez-Muriana, A., Naughton, M., Young, A., Moudra, A., Lemaitre, P., Poovathingal, S., Raes, J., De Strooper, B., Fitzgerald, D.C., Dooley, J., Liston, A. (2020). Microglia Require CD4 T Cells to Complete the Fetal-to-Adult Transition. Cell, 182 (3), doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.06.026. * First Author, Equal contribution

Briz, V.*, Restivo, L.*, Pasciuto E.*., Juczewski, K., Mercaldo, V., Lo, A.C., Baatsen, P., Gounko, N.V., Borreca, A., Girardi, T., Luca, R., Nys, J., Poorthuis, R.B., Mansvelder, H.D., Fisone, G., Ammassari-Teule, M., Arckens, L., Krieger, P., Meredith, R., Bagni, C. (2017). The non-coding RNA BC1 regulates experience-dependent structural plasticity and learning. Nature Communications, 8 (1), Art.No. 293. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-00311-2.* First Author, Equal contribution

• Ph.D. in biology, biomedical sciences, or related disciplines
• Solid publication record
• Experience in  neuroimmunology or neurobiology 
• Experienced in working with mouse models (FELASA B or C required)
• Experience with flow cytometry and/or transcriptomics or other omics technologies is highly beneficial
• Experience with molecular biology and microscopy is preferred
• Good writing and communication skills in English
• Creative, highly motivated, independent, team player

• A full-time position initially for one year with the possibility for renewal up to 3 years. You will be encouraged to apply for personal fellowships
• The possibility to independently lead your research project, but with sufficient guidance and mentoring
• Access to state-of-the-art technologies and infrastructure.
• A friendly, dynamic, and scientifically stimulating working environment
• Various high-level training opportunities to broaden your expertise and skills

As part of the VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology and VIB, the applicant will benefit from established collaborations and access to centralized facilities with expertise in genomics (short and long read sequencing), functional genomics, and cell biology, proteomics, cutting-edge microscopy, structural biology, 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.

Starting Date: June 1st, 2023

You can apply for this job through the online job application platform

Please include the following document(s):

• a detailed CV containing a full list of publications and a brief summary of past research
• a letter of motivation describing your interests
• contact details of one or two referees

For more information contact emanuela.pasciuto@uantwerpen.vib.be or jobs.cmn@uantwerpen.vib.be