PhD Student - Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics

Last application date Dec 14, 2022 00:00

Department GE35 - Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics

Contract Limited duration

Degree A Master degree in Biochemistry & Biotechnology, Bioscience engineering, or equivalent, completed before the start date of the position, with excellent grades.

Occupancy rate 100%

Vacancy type Research staff

The current PhD position is available for a highly motivated candidate to work on a granted multi-disciplinary project within the research group of Prof. Mo Lamkanfi, and involving several other research groups at Ghent University and other academic institutions in Belgium and abroad. The main aims of the PhD project is to define better the functional role of pyroptosis using a combination of cutting-edge technologies and innovative in vivo models of inflammatory diseases. In addition, the PhD student will setup experiments to discover and functionally characterize novel signaling pathways that modulate lytic cell death activation in primary hematopoietic and epithelial cells of human and murine origin. In this project, we will make use of advanced confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, mouse transgenesis, CRISPR-Cas9 genome-wide screening approaches and retroviral transduction technologies to understand how lytic cell death contributes to inflammatory pathology.

We offer

Type of employment

PhD candidate researcher: Full-time, fixed-term appointment for initially 1 year, yearly renewable after positive evaluation up to 4 years. Intended starting date: 1st of January 2023 (or earlier if possible).
A competitive salary including benefits is offered, salary levels account for years of professional experience.
Ghent University is an equal-opportunity employer.

About the lab

The research team of Prof. Mo Lamkanfi, also called the Laboratory of Medical Immunology, has a longstanding interest in understanding inflammasome signalling and lytic cell death pathways that contribute majorly to chronic inflammatory diseases and play a crucial role in host defense against microbial pathogens. The Lamkanfi lab currently has a vacancy for a highly motivated PhD student to investigate novel regulatory pathways and the functional impact of pyroptosis and other lytic cell death mechanisms in inflammatory diseases. The research group has at its disposal state-of-the-art research facilities and is integrated in the Medical Research Building 2 facilities of the Ghent University Hospital Campus in Ghent, Belgium. Within close proximity of the academic hospital, the research group aims to translate the fundamental knowledge generated into the design of novel therapeutic and diagnostic tools (e.g. PMID: 32312770; PMID: 31525186).

Profile

You hold a MSc/Masters’ degree in Biochemistry & Biotechnology, Bio-engineering, or equivalent related fields from a recognized university.

• You have a FELASA B/C degree or equivalent degree accreditation for animal experimentation.
• You have excellent English communication skills (both oral and written).
• You have a keen interest in genetic engineering, inflammation and cell death biology.
• You are highly motivated and can plan and conduct research accurately.
• You can function well independently as well as in a team.
• You can take initiative and have a hands-on mentality, perseverance and critical mindset.

To apply or for more information please contact Prof. dr. Mo Lamkanfi (Mohamed.Lamkanfi@ugent.be ).

 Please include a single pdf in your application that combines the following elements:

• 1-page motivation letter expressing your interest in and suitability for the project
• Detailed CV and 1-page summary of past research activities
• A transcript of your Masters’ and FELASA degrees
• Contact information of 2-3 referees

 The position is immediately available. Applications are welcome until the position is filled. The first review of applications will start immediately. A shortlist of applicants will be selected and invited for interviews.

As Ghent University maintains equal opportunities and a diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.