Postdoctoral Position in Host-Microbe Interactions and Intestinal Cancer in Belguim

Ghent University is one of the top and major universities in Belgium with its 11 faculties offering a wide range of courses and conducting in-depth research within a wide range of scientific domains. The university is an active partner in national and international educational and scientific cooperation in research, scientific service, and numerous research groups centers and institutes. Having a socially committed and pluralistic environment with a broad international perspective makes it a distinguished place for education. It also stands for diversity, educational strategy, health and safety, internationalization, research, and sustainability.

The Laboratory of Intestinal Host-Microbe Communication affiliated to Ghent University in Belgium as well as the VIB Center for Inflammation Research are offering holders of a PhD the opportunity to apply for a postdoctoral position in Host-Microbe Interactions and Intestinal Cancer in a dynamic working environment and a stimulating scientific surrounding. The laboratory performs in vivo research using mouse models to fundamentally understand the relationship between the host and the inhabitants of the intestinal lumen in homeostasis and during inflammatory responses, as well as upon viral, bacterial or parasitic infectious encounters. For this purpose, it has a large collection of mouse models available carrying genetic deficiencies (full-body and cell type specific) or missense mutations in inflammatory signaling pathways. The specific project for this position deals with the impact of anti-viral signaling pathways in the development of intestinal cancer in mice. The project aims to characterize the function and the therapeutic potential of particular anti-viral responses in the development of chemical-induced as well as genetic mouse models of intestinal carcinogenesis.

Applicants must:

[1] Hold a PhD in  Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, Molecular Biology or Biotechnology, or should be expecting to obtain a PhD in the near future

[2] Have experience in the areas of Host-Microbe Interactions and Mucosal Immunology in the intestinal tract

[3] Hold a Felasa C diploma or equivalent allowing him/her to work with laboratory animals

[4] Be willing to work with murine cancer models, intestinal organoid cell culture, immunohistochemistry, molecular and cell biological techniques in vitro and in vivo (experience in omics techniques and bioinformatics would be a plus)

[5] Be proficient in oral and written English, have excellent communication and multi-tasking skills, and be team-oriented, proactive and results-driven

The university offers:

[1] A 4-year period postdoctoral position with a competitive salary

[2] Access to tools and facilities, a rich training environment and the possibility to collaborate with many other groups within a research institute

[3] The opportunity to be part of an international, young, enthusiastic and motivated team