MSCA-DN PhD position in nanobody development for GPRC5B (Brussels, BE)

Amsterdam UMC, Netherlands

Updated: 12 days ago
Deadline: 5 Oct ’26

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)

is the recruiting organisation for this position. You will be employed by the

Molecular Imaging and Therapy (MITH)

research group and embedded in the POLARIS consortium. Your academic supervision will be provided by Prof. Timo De Groof and Prof. Nick Devoogdt.

This doctoral project focuses on developing GPRC5B-targeting nanobodies for use as research tools, diagnostic tracers and/or therapeutics. You will generate and characterise nanobodies using immune and synthetic nanobody libraries as well as AI-generated candidates.

The project will involve in vitro and in vivo characterisation of the generated nanobodies, including assessment of their affinity, specificity, modulatory effects, stability and biodistribution. Through the POLARIS network, you will also gain experience in AI-generated GPRC5B-targeting nanobodies and the functional characterisation of nanobodies in relation to GPRC5B signalling.

Planned secondments will provide hands-on experience in the generation and validation of AI-generated GPRC5B-targeting nanobodies at DPTX and in the functional characterisation of the generated nanobodies at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Your academic embedding will be at the MITH research group, with the anticipated PhD defence at the Faculty of Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

You will contribute to the development of GPRC5B-targeting nanobodies from initial discovery through to preclinical characterisation. Your work will include:

  • Selecting GPRC5B-targeting nanobodies from immune and synthetic nanobody libraries and evaluating AI-generated candidates.
  • Characterising generated nanobodies in vitro and in vivo, including their affinity, specificity, stability and modulatory effects.
  • Investigating the biodistribution of nanobodies in in vivo models.
  • Characterising the functional effects of generated nanobodies on GPRC5B signalling.
  • Collaborating with POLARIS partner organisations during planned secondments and contributing to the development of nanobodies as research tools, diagnostic tracers and/or therapeutics.

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