PhD Student

• Glioblastoma remains an aggressive, lethal, hard-to-cure brain tumor. Accumulating evidence points to extensive tumor heterogeneity, as well as plasticity in response to therapy, leading to therapy failure. At the single cell level, this presents with different cell states that can transition into one another upon specific environmental conditions or treatment. A comprehensive understanding of the molecular and regulatory mechanisms underlying therapy-induced plasticity in glioblastoma patients is indispensable for the development of novel, more effective and less toxic treatment modalities. This PhD project is embedded in the context of an interuniversity ‘Stichting Tegen Kanker’ project that aims to unravel the molecular mechanisms of radiation-induced tumor cell plasticity at single cell resolution.
• The lab for Computational Biology, Integromics and Gene Regulation – CBIGR – of Prof. Vanessa Vermeirssen focuses on acquiring a functional understanding of gene regulation and signalling towards personalized medicine, using statistics, bioinformatics and machine learning, as well as high-throughput biology in the framework of gene regulatory networks. Our final goal is to use this knowledge in the development of novel preventive or therapeutic strategies for successful personal healthcare. We are part of the Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology and the Department of Biomolecular Medicine, with recognised expertise in molecular biology, omics technologies, bioinformatics and cancer at Ghent University. We are also partner of the Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), https://www.crig.ugent.be/en/prof-vanessa-vermeirssen-phd .
• We are looking for a talented and highly motivated PhD candidate to join our enthusiastic team on single cell multi-omics glioblastoma research. Specifically, you will implement and optimize methodologies (cutting-edge computational and experimental single cell multi-omics) and analyse and integrate high-dimensional data to unravel the regulatory heterogeneity in glioblastoma and identify key regulatory programs of plasticity.

• You obtained a Master of Science degree in Bioscience Engineering, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry and Biotechnology - Major Bioinformatics & Systems Biology or other Master of Science with relevant expertise in computational biology.
• You have a good track record (study results – top 25% of the study cohort - and/or publications).
• You have experience in programming (including bash, Python, R scripting, high-performance computing, databases and visualization tools).
• You have a strong interest and expertise in bioinformatics, biostatistics and the analysis of high-dimensional data.
• You have knowledge on cancer molecular biology, single cell and multi-omics.
• Expertise with laboratory work in a molecular biology lab, including omics technologies, is a plus.
• You have excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• You possess strong analytical problem-solving skills (creative, critical, thinking out-of-the-box).
• You are able to work independently and take initiative, yet you are also a team player.
• You are accurate and have a strong feeling of responsibility.
• You are perseverant and have a strong ambition to learn.

Our offer

• You will work in a stimulating, multidisciplinary and collaborative environment and will have the possibility to interact with top cancer and computational biology researchers at CRIG, UGent and the project partners at KUL and SCK-CEN.
• You will have access to state-of-the-art technologies and computational infrastructure.
• You will have the opportunity to attend international conferences, publish your results in high-profile journals and visit relevant research institutes.
• You will have the chance to guide undergraduate and internship students.
• You will receive a competitive remuneration including a wide range of training and education opportunities (on the job and through the UGent doctoral school program e.g.), 36 days of holiday leave, a bicycle allowance and eco vouchers.
• You will have the possibility to obtain a PhD degree. We offer a position for 1 year, which will normally be extended to 4 years in case of a positive evaluation. Note that the latter may require application for a FWO/BOF doctoral fellowship (check your eligibility at "Profile and conditions" on https://www.fwo.be/en/fellowships-funding/phd-fellowships/phd-fellowship-fundamental-research/ ).

Submit the following documents, merged in a single pdf-file, by email to [email protected] :

• Motivation letter
• CV
• Names and contacts from at least 2 references
• Copy of diploma’s

Top-ranked candidates will be invited for an interview (either on-site or via MS Teams/Zoom).

For inquiries concerning the position contact Prof. Dr. ir. Vanessa Vermeirssen ([email protected] ).