Doctoral scholarship holder Molecular evolution of vertebrate RNA viruses

Department: Department of Biology
Regime Full-time

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The Department of Biology in the Faculty of Science is looking for a full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship holder in the field of molecular evolution of vertebrate RNA viruses.

Position

• You will work actively on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis on diversity and evolution of vertebrate viruses. In this PhD project we will focus on uncovering genetic sequence data from viruses from infrequently sampled vertebrates. While it is clear that distantly related viruses to human viruses infect a wide range of vertebrates (from other mammals to fish), the vast majority of lineages in common RNA virus families remain unsampled. The generated data will be phylogenetically analysed to improve our understanding of the evolutionary origins of zoonotic viruses and of the evolutionary history of virus taxa. We will optimize molecular sequencing techniques for challenging specimens so that we can leverage on the vast and diverse archived specimen collections at universities and in natural history museums. Targeted fieldwork may be possible.
• You will publish scientific articles related to the research project.
• You will carry out a limited number of teaching and research support tasks for the Department of Biology.

Profile

• You hold a Master degree in Biology, Biomedical sciences, Biochemistry or equivalent programs, or you will have obtained it by the time you start work.
• You can demonstrate excellent study results, in particular for your master’s thesis.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision .
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies .
• You are fluent in English.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• You can work independently as well as in a team.
• Ideally you have experience in wet lab molecular biology, sequence data analyses and/or bioinformatics.
• You are passionate about science and evolution.

What we offer

• We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of two years. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed once for another two-year period.
• The planned start date is 01 October 2021 or as soon as possible after that date.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
• You will do most of your work at the Evolutionary Ecology group situated on the Drie Eiken campus at the University. The campus is embedded in a pleasant forested park environment yet close to the historic city of Antwerp, with many bars, restaurants and cultural activities.
• A supportive, dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here .

 Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 09 August 2021 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments: a motivation letter and your academic CV.
• The selection committee will review all of the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to [email protected] . If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Prof. dr. Sophie Gryseels, [email protected]

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity  and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.