PhD student position: Dolichol, an overlooked lipid in human health and disease

5 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

KU Leuven

Department

Human Genetics

Research Field

Biological sciences

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Belgium

Application Deadline

18 Jan 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Brussels)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

37.5

Offer Starting Date

1 Mar 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The Laboratory for Molecular Diagnosis is part of the Centre for Human Genetics at the KU Leuven and focuses on the identification and characterization of Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation (CDG). These are a group of nearly 200 rare inborn errors of metabolism that lead to a broad range of clinical presentations such as intellectual disability, skeletal abnormalities and epilepsy. Our laboratory has been responsible for the genetic delineation and subsequent study of many CDG (e.g. PMIDs: 9140401, 17904886, 22683087, 24348268, 31036665, 34653363, 35262690) and has been the coordinator of successive pan-European consortia focusing on CDG research (EUROGLYCAN, EUROGLYCANET, EURO-CDG(2), EUROGLYCANomics). By characterizing the fundamental cell biology of individual glycosylation disorders, we: i) provide a diagnosis to affected patients, as well as improving our chances of developing effective treatments; ii) better our understanding of the underlying biochemical pathways.

Unit website

Project

We have recently identified a novel glycosylation disorder caused by the deficiency of a previously uncharacterised enzyme required for the formation of dolichol. Dolichol is a polyisoprenoid lipid required as the carrier for the N-glycan before it is attached to nascent glycoproteins. Insights gained from this work have allowed us to rewrite the early N-glycosylation pathway in all eukaryotes and several key observations have meant a reopening of our interest into dolichol, a compound that has been understudied for the past 30 years, but which is vitally important to cellular metabolism. A successful candidate will undertake a PhD focusing on the overlooked cellular functions of dolichol and its intracellular distribution/transport, as well as the pathophysiology of CDG related to disorders of dolichol metabolism. This gives the candidate a unique opportunity to combine their passion for scientific research with an active benefit to patients affected by extremely rare disorders. The project will be carried out under the supervision of Prof. Gert Matthijs as part of a collaborative project with the laboratory of Prof. Guido Bommer at UCLouvain. 

 

Key tasks will include:

• A broad range of molecular biology techniques including DNA, RNA and protein manipulation, work with bacteria, yeast and mammalian cells including primary cells from affected CDG patients.
• The generation of cellular models using CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing and other techniques.
• The use of omics technologies (and related bioinformatics tools) for studying gene regulatory changes in the dolichol biosynthesis pathway.
• LC-MS-based lipid analysis (in collaboration with Prof. Guido Bommer at UCLouvain).
• Confocal and super high-resolution microscopy for localization studies.
• Dissemination of work at international conferences.

Offer

• A full-time PhD (or postdoctoral) position for 1 year. After a positive evaluation, the contract will be extended, there is in total four years of funding foreseen.
• A challenging job as part of a small, dynamic and rapidly moving team performing cutting edge research at the forefront of both fundamental and translational science.
• Access to a state-of-the-art research infrastructure at a top-ranked university.
• Expert training in laboratory and bioinformatic techniques required for the completion of the PhD program.
• Access to world-class ‘soft-skill’ supplementary training courses provided by KU Leuven.
• The opportunity to travel and collaborate with several international research groups.
• Remuneration according to the KU Leuven scholarships: https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/en/phd/phd-information#workin…  
• The PhD would begin as soon as possible, with flexibility in consultation with the supervisor

Requirements

Research Field

Biological sciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Profile

• You have obtained a Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Biology or a related field, with excellent results and minimum a ‘distinction’.
• You have a passion for science and have the commitment and motivation to pursue completion of a doctorate over four years.
• You have excellent spoken and written English skills.
• You have at least some prior training in the use of standard molecular biology techniques and cell culture. 
• You must be equally capable of working in a group and pursuing independent research goals, as well as an excellent communicator.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

KU Leuven

Country

Belgium

State/Province

Flemish Brabant

City

Leuven

Postal Code

3000

Street

Herestraat 49

Where to apply

Website

https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/jobs/60289604

Contact

City

Leuven

Website

https://gbiomed.kuleuven.be/english/research/50000622

Street

Herestraat 49

Postal Code

3000

E-Mail

[email protected]
[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED