Job posted by University of Antwerp (12/03/2014 17.03)
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Research groups
VITO is a Flemish independent and customer-oriented research organization that provides innovative technological solutions, as well as scientifically based advice and support in order to stimulate sustainable development (www.vito.be). In the Applied Bio&Molecular Systems team interdisciplinary research is dedicated to develop quantitative bionanoscience for medical applications and to ensure safe design of nanotechnology. Biomina (biomedical informatics research center Antwerp) is a new interdisciplinary research unit for bioinformatics and medical informatics established by the University of Antwerp and the Antwerp University Hospital that aims to address the growing needs of biomedical data processing and to enable new interdisciplinary cross-fertilization.

Description

The interdisciplinary PhD project aims to investigate the behavior and fate of engineered nanomaterials in contact with biological fluids and living cells, and consequent biological signalling responses. Emphasis is put on signalling mechanisms in immune relevant cells, underlying possible immunomodulatory effects. The nature of what is adsorbed on the nanoparticle surface is connected to the observed interactions and outcomes on cells. Both the adsorbed biomolecule corona, as well as biomarker expression signatures and pathways will be investigated and combined via a comprehensive -omics analysis and bio-informatics approach.

The successful candidate is expected to:
• perform research with a technological dimension on:
• structural/molecular aspects of nanomaterial interactions with living cells;
• cell signalling events induced by in vitro nanomaterial exposure, focusing on immune responses.
These studies will be complemented with physico-chemical characterization of nanomaterials in a biological context, and data interpretation using bio-statistics and bio- informatics, and will be guided by specialists in these domains;
• supervise undergraduate students on research related work.
• disseminate research findings via publication, conferences, research seminars etc.

Nr of positions available : 1

Research Fields

Biological sciences
Chemistry
Physics

Career Stage

Early stage researcher or 0-4 yrs (Post graduate)

Research Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Comment/web site for additional job details

• Please send your CV and letter of motivation, including two reference persons with their contact details, asap to both promoters mentioned below. Registration of the scholarship application should be done on-line via the VITO website (http://www.vito.be/).
• The successful candidate will need to compile an application file in consultation with the promoters, and will be subjected to a verbal examination in front of a jury. Upon approval the mandate will be awarded by VITO.
• Contact:
• Promoter: Prof. dr. Kris Laukens - kris.laukens@uantwerpen.be
• Co-promoter: dr. Inge Nelissen - Inge.nelissen@vito.be (+32 14 33 52 11)

Requirements
Required Education Level
Degree
Master Degree or equivalent
Degree Field
Chemistry
Degree
Master Degree or equivalent
Degree Field
Physics
Required Languages
Language
ENGLISH
Language Level
Excellent
Additional Requirements • The successful candidate should have a master degree, at least with distinction, in chemistry, (bio)physics, nanosciences, or a related discipline. As the research topic is not restricted to a single traditional discipline, the candidate should be open minded and highly motivated to acquire and apply skills in molecular and cell biology, and (physical) chemistry.
• Interest/experience in biostatistics and bio-informatics, and/or computational and programming skills are an asset.
• Excellent social and communication skills, and ability to work both autonomously and team-oriented are a prerequisite.
• The research is closely connected to the European FP7 project FutureNanoNeeds, and will be carried out in an interdisciplinary and international environment. A good level of English (spoken and written) is mandatory.
• The candidate’s primary workplace is at VITO, but he/she should be willing to regularly work at UAntwerpen.

To better plan and organise their stay in a foreign European country, researchers and their families can also benefit of the free and personalised assistance offered by the EURAXESS Services Centres , a network of more than 200 centres located in 40 different European countries.