PhD position in stem cells and nephrology

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium

Updated: over 2 years ago
Deadline: 22 Aug 2021

We have an open position for a PhD candidate in an ongoing project based on fundamental and pre-clinical research with an impactful translational potential in nephrology. 

Chronic kidney disease affects 10% of the worldwide population. If it evolves to kidney failure, transplantation is the only effective treatment. However, we face a threatening shortage of donor organs and thousands of patients die in the waiting list. The ultimate goal of this project is to increase the number of human kidney grafts available for transplantation. In order to meet this goal, we have been using human kidneys that are not considered fit for transplantation, due to inferior quality and are, therefore, donated for research. The innovative strategy is the administration of a unique kidney-derived stem cell type into these injured human kidneys during ex vivo normothermic machine perfusion (NMP), aiming at improved immunomodulation and effective tissue regeneration. 

The results of this research have the potential to impact the supply of human kidneys to meet the increasing demand for transplantation, as the number of people suffering of kidney failure tends to sharply rise in the next 10 years.


Job description


  • Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Elena Levtchenko (Pediatric Nephrologist), Prof Dr. Ben Sprangers (Transplant immunologist – Rega Institute) and dr. Fanny Oliveira Arcolino
  • Main techniques involved: cell culture, molecular biology, microscopy and immunology assays and single cell transcriptomics

Role and responsibilities


  • You conduct research on kidney progenitor cells to be administered in ischemic human kidneys during machine perfusion
  • You analyse data and take initiative in identifying and resolving problems related to your research
  • You keep frequent and regular contact with the supervisors
  • You co-supervise ongoing master or bachelor student projects in your research area
  • You assist in administrative and technical support of activities within the research group
  • You write scientific manuscript(s) for publication and a PhD thesis


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