Research fellow (postdoctoral researcher) - Trypanosoma

17 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM)

Department

HR Unit

Research Field

Biological sciences
Medical sciences
Chemistry

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Belgium

Application Deadline

17 Feb 2024 - 08:12 (Europe/Brussels)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

37.5

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
Research fellow (postdoctoral researcher)
Department of Biomedical Sciences– Trypanosoma Unit

The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Antwerp aims at the advancement and spread of science that contributes to infectious disease medicine and to public health globally with focus on low- and middle income countries, inclusive of their global dimensions. ITM conducts scientific research, delivers advanced education and provides medical, scientific and societal expert services. The ITM is an open and international campus where staff, students and researchers work on new international health challenges.

The Trypanosoma Unit (TU) focuses on the research of tsetse-transmitted African trypanosomes, both fundamental and applied. Over the last 20 years, it has developed internationally leading expertise on the biology of the parasite in the tsetse fly and at the skin interface in the mammalian host after natural transmission by tsetse bite. The unit has now an opening for a full-time postdoctoral researcher position in the context of an FWO-funded project, led by Prof. Jan Van Den Abbeele (ITM) and Prof. Eva Bartok (University of Bonn, Germany).

The project focuses on the innate immune response in the mammalian host skin after the bite of a trypanosome-infected tsetse fly. The parasite’s high proficiency in overcoming the intradermal hurdle suggests that it has evolved highly effective mechanisms for escaping and/or modulating innate immune responses at the host-skin interface. In the project, we aim to profile the immune landscape and its plasticity at the infected tsetse bite site and to assess the immunomodulatory activity of parasite and tsetse saliva on resident and/or recruited immune cells.

Assignment

• In an in vivo mouse model, you will study the innate immune response at the cellular and intracellular level in the host skin and other relevant immune-responsive tissues after the parasite-infected tsetse bite;
• You will characterize the immune response profile of different in vitro immune cell lines to various components of parasite and/or tsetse fly saliva;
• You will modify various immune cell lines through CRISPR/Cas9-genome editing;
• You will liaise with external collaborators and other team members working on the project;
• You will further develop the described research line by applying for external research grants and gaining additional funding;
• You will write high-quality publications for scientific journals and present research results at different levels and for different audiences;
• You will  take up responsibilities for training and supervision of scientific and technical staff, students, and interns in immunology research.

Requirements

Research Field

Biological sciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Chemistry

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Medical sciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications
Profile

• You hold a PhD  in the field of biology, (bio)medicine, biochemistry, or related life sciences;
• You have at least 5 years of experimental research experience in innate immunology; having research experience to study parasite-host interaction biology is an asset;
• You have acquired strong skills in flow cytometry, cell culture and molecular biology;
• You have a FELASA B or C certificate for animal experimental work;
• You have strong scientific writing and oral communication skills in English;
• You show a high level of enthusiasm and motivation, driven by scientific curiosity.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Languages

DUTCH

Level

Basic

Research Field

Biological sciencesChemistryMedical sciences

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Additional Information
Benefits
Offer

The Institute of Tropical Medicine is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive institute. We strive for excellence and relevance, integrity, sustainability and persistence and fairness. Your assignment contributes to the socially relevant mission of the ITM. We value human dignity and diversity, academic creativity and a critical spirit, solidarity and cooperation, and the well-being of employees, students, patients and clients. We offer you:

• A fulltime contract as a research fellow with a duration of 2 years. Starting date: as soon as possible;
• A collegial working environment with attention to work-life balance and individual growth and development;
• A workplace in the middle of the vibrant city of Antwerp, easily accessible by public transport;
• A salary set according to the pay scales of ITM and to your work experience with some supplementary benefits, such as private pension scheme and meal voucher subscription

Eligibility criteria
Interested?

Apply before February 19th 2024 via the form on our website . We ask you to add your CV and motivation letter.

For more information about this position, please contact HR ([email protected] ).

Only applications with CV, letter of motivation and references will be accepted.

Website for additional job details

https://www.itg.be/en/jobs-and-research-opportunities

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Institute of Tropical Medicine

Country

Belgium

City

Antwerp

Postal Code

2000

Street

Nationalestraat 155

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.itg.be/en/jobs-and-research-opportunities/research-fellow-postdocto…

Contact

City

Antwerp

Website

https://www.itg.be/en/jobs-and-research-opportunities

Street

Nationalestraat 155

Postal Code

2000

STATUS: EXPIRED