Postdoctoral Researcher Spatial Omics

(ref. BAP-2023-73)

Laatst aangepast : 1/02/2023

A postdoctoral position in the field of Spatial Biology is available at the KU Leuven Center of Human Genetics in the laboratory of Prof. Thierry Voet. You will join a multidisciplinary team that develops and applies single-cell and spatial (multi-)omics methodologies to investigate cellular heterogeneity in human development, ageing and disease biology. In addition to pioneering single-cell multi-omics measurements of dissociated single cells, the group of Prof. Voet is also establishing a comprehensive platform for spatial transcriptomics analyses. This enables studying single cells in their native tissue context by leveraging in situ imaging or sequencing of the cellular transcriptome without the need for prior tissue dissociation, allowing more detailed characterization of cell types and states, cellular architectures of tissues, cell-cell interactions, and functional cell niches. With extensive expertise in method development and implementation, assay automation, data analysis, and strong international connections (e.g. the Human Cell Atlas), the lab aims to answer key biological questions in health and disease with high impact and be at the forefront of the fast-evolving single-cell and spatial omics fields.

Responsibilities

We are looking for a motivated postdoctoral researcher that can play a key role in the further development of our spatial transcriptomics research and platform. This person has a strong interest in technology, is eager to immerse themselves in the fields of single-cell and spatial biology, and wants to significantly contribute to biomedical research through undertaking projects and collaborations where these novel methodologies can be applied for a wide range of applications, including cancer research, neurobiology, human aging and development, with potential clinical translation. Importantly, depending on personal interests, a particular focus can be determined. Different spatial transcriptomics technologies have already been implemented and can be leveraged, including 10x Genomics Visium and Xenium, Molecular Instruments HCR-FISH, Resolve Biosciences Molecular Cartography and Vizgen MERSCOPE technology, in addition to MERFISH-based techniques that are being developed and optimized in-house.

Main responsibilities will include:

• Establishing, optimizing and applying protocols for spatial transciptomics assays
• Leading in experimental design, execution and coordination of projects requiring spatial omics
• Helping with data interpretation and playing a key role in publication of project results
• Generating novel ideas for biological applications, method development and scouting for novel technologies in the context of single-cell and/or spatial omics
• Reporting and communicating on scientific progress in meetings and participating in international conferences.

This position also frames within the KU Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics (LISCO) that has recently been established by Prof. Voet and nucleates interdisciplinary expertise in single-cell and spatial omics of >40 research groups at KU Leuven, to create a framework for improved academic and industrial collaborations, translation and valorization, and training of the next-generation of researchers. In this context, we also have strong interactions with teams working on spatial proteomics (Profs. Frederik De Smet and Francesca Bosisio), spatial lipidomics (Prof. Johan Swinnen), multi-omic integrative bio-informatics (Prof. Alejandro Sifirm) and microfluidics engineering (Prof. Jeroen Lammertyn). Further interactions with the broader community are also stimulated through close links with the KU Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), the KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), the KU Leuven Plant Institute (LPI), VIB (Flemish Institute for Biotechnology) and IMEC (Interuniversity Centre for Micro-Electronics).
Profile

Knowledge, skills, and experience required:

• MSc in Bioscience Engineering or Biomedical Sciences with a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology/Biotechnology/Genetics/Genomics, or equivalent
• Experience with and in-depth knowledge of classical molecular biology techniques, including DNA, RNA and protein work
• Experience with implementing molecular biology protocols and designing experimental workflows
• Experience with and broad understanding of nucleic acid probe design, nucleic acid hybridization, fluorescence microscopy, next-generation sequencing methodologies and library construction methods 
• Attention to detail, accurate working style and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently and within a group
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Evidence for productivity in a research setting such as publications, patents, etc.

Additional desirable skills and experience

• Experience with single-cell and/or spatial molecular biology work
• Experience with high throughput assays (e.g. liquid handling robots, microfluidics)

Offer

We are offering a postdoctoral position in an intellectually challenging environment with state-of-the art facilities. KU Leuven is a research intensive, internationally oriented university that carries out both fundamental and applied scientific research. It is highly inter- and multidisciplinary focused and strives for international excellence. You will work in Leuven, a historic, dynamic and lively city located in the heart of Belgium, within 20 minutes from Brussels, the capital of the European Union, and less than two hours from Paris, London and Amsterdam.

We initially offer a 2-year position, with evaluation after the first year and potential for extension. We invite candidates to apply for (inter)national external funding.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Thierry Voet, mail: [email protected] or Dr. Katy Vandereyken, mail: [email protected]

We invite candidates to apply at their earliest convenience and not to wait until the deadline to make their application. It is possible that we close the vacancy earlier, once we have found the ideal candidate.

KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at [email protected].