PhD position (20264) - Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics

The department of Endocrinology is currently hiring an enthusiastic and highly motivated PhD researcher to participate in our new research project “Better estimates of hormonal exposure to improve diagnosis and treatment in endocrine diseases”. 

This project is funded by the TBM program of FWO Vlaanderen (Applied Biomedical Research with primary social finality) and is in collaboration with Ghent University Hospital and KULeuven.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Despite the importance of free steroid hormone levels in determining physiological processes, clinical applicability of free steroid hormone levels is still hampered. This is due to the use of inaccurate and insensitive methods to measure total steroid hormone and binding protein concentrations, and - especially for free vitamin D - poorly validated calculators. However, measurement of free hormone concentrations is applicable to numerous clinical conditions and is also relevant for an aging and ever more obese general population.

The main goals of the BEED-ED project are to improve diagnostic accuracy of free steroid hormone measurements (with a focus on free testosterone and free vitamin D), to contribute to the knowledge on the clinical relevance thereof and to have a positive impact on the availability of free steroid hormone assessments in routine clinical diagnostic settings. As such, our project will lead to better targeted care of endocrine diseases in both the general population as well as in specific patient groups (such as obese patients, pregnant women, patients with chronic kidney disease, …).

This translates into three main research objectives:

(1) developing and validating accurate analytical methods for free steroid hormone measurements (by using equilibrium dialysis and mass spectrometry)

(2) evaluate and if needed improve/develop (disease-specific) free hormone calculators, with a specific focus on conditions where the binding protein milieu (production, metabolism, binding affinity) is altered, such as in patients with chronic kidney disease, obesity or during pregnancy

(3) define limitations and best clinical use of such calculators to develop an operational clinical sample workflow for direct measurements of free steroid hormone concentrations in selected samples.

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 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

• At least 90% of your assignment will be spent on academic research in preparation of a doctoral dissertation.
• This assignment is under the umbrella of the FWO-funded TBM programme ‘Better estimates of hormonal exposure to improve diagnosis and treatment in endocrine diseases (BEED-ED)’.
• In your role as researcher, you will help in the design and execution of human and analytical studies. As such, tasks will be both clinical-organizational as lab technical.
• Also, you will support educational activities and social outreach of the department.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• You hold a Master’s degree in Medicine, Pharmaceutical sciences, Biomedical sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry or an equivalent degree
• You are highly enthusiastic about scientific research and the dissemination and implementation thereof.
• You have excellent didactic and communicative skills, both verbally as written. You have good knowledge of English.
• You can function independently as well as in a multidisciplinary team.
• Basic knowledge of lab technology is an asset.
• Any research experience and/or participation in extra training, conferences, etc. is recommended.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer you a contract of indefinite duration with a maximum term of 4 years.
• Your contract will start on 1/10/2021 at the earliest.
• Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale WM1. 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. Dr. Bruno Lapauw ([email protected] , +32(0)9/3322137). Important: do NOT send your application by email, but apply online.

Vragen over online solliciteren? Bekijk de FAQ .