→ Apply before 12/08/2026 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels Time)
→ Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
→ Department: GE31 - Biomoleculaire Geneeskunde
→ Occupancy rate:100%
→ Number of positions: 1
→ Type of employment: Contract of unlimited duration
→ Term of assignment:
→ Wage scale: PD1 to PD4 (doctoral degree)
→ Required diploma:PhD
ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY
Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offering state-of-the-art study programs grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.
ABOUT VIB-UGENT CENTER FOR MEDICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
The VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology (CMB, https://cmb.sites.vib.be/en) focuses on the development of new and innovative molecular tools and technologies to challenge human health problems. The Center translates its novel technologies and insights to widely applicable research tools, vaccines, diagnostics, and biopharmaceuticals. Our research pushes the boundaries of biomolecular and bioinformatics research and engineering technologies.
DESCRIPTION
Next-generation sequencing has become the foundation of clinical genetic testing, enabling the identification of germline (inherited diseases and cancer predisposition) and somatic (sporadic tumors) variants that inform disease risk, prognosis, and therapeutic decision-making. However, the widespread adoption of sequencing technologies has also led to the identification of a rapidly growing number of Variants of Uncertain Significance (VUS). This poses a major challenge for accurate clinical interpretation and reporting.
Functional assays have been recognized in international guidelines as an important type of evidence for VUS classification. However, traditional approaches that assess variants individually are labor-intensive, fragmented across laboratories, and difficult to integrate. Multiplexed Assays of Variant Effect (MAVEs), comprising multiple emerging and rapidly evolving technologies such as Deep Mutational Scanning (DMS), enable the simultaneous functional assessment of thousands of variants. MAVEs provide a powerful and scalable source of functional evidence that can help in resolving the VUS challenge.
Our laboratory at the VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology specializes in developing innovative interactomics, proteomics, and genome engineering strategies to analyze protein complexes and their dynamics in a cellular context. Over the past decade, we have developed a versatile mammalian DMS platform that has now evolved into a universal “landing pad” system adaptable to a broad range of functional assays and screening applications, enabling diverse biological questions to be addressed in a scalable manner.
We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our team starting January 1st, 2027. The main research focus will be to take a leading role in completing an ongoing mammalian DMS study of IFNAR1, a key receptor in the interferon-mediated antiviral response. This includes generating remaining datasets, performing integrative analyses, and driving the final stages of dissemination through manuscript preparation and revision. Genetic deficiencies in IFNAR1 are associated with severe viral infections and adverse reactions to live-attenuated vaccines, highlighting the clinical importance of accurate variant interpretation.
In addition to this core project, the candidate will contribute to expanding the application of the universal landing pad platform, including DMS for variant interpretation in cancer-associated genes (e.g., BRIP1) and additional high-throughput screening efforts. Reflecting the growing scope of the platform, this position also includes a project management component, involving collaboration with the staff scientist, coordination with technical staff, supervision of master’s students, and supporting incoming PhD students and postdoctoral researchers during their onboarding phase through knowledge transfer and skill development.
YOUR TASKS
- You will be involved in completing an ongoing IFNAR1 DMS study
- You will be involved in the further development and application of the universal landing pad platform
- You will collaborate with the staff scientist and coordinate experimental workflows with technical staff
- You will supervise master’s students and support the onboarding of PhD students and postdocs
- You will contribute to project coordination and collaborative efforts within the team
- You will interact with multiple other research teams within VIB, UGent, and other Belgian universities.
- You will have the opportunity to deliver a guest lecture on MAVEs at UGent
- You will actively seek and apply for external funding
- At least 70% of your assignment will be spent on academic research.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
- You hold a thesis-based PhD in Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, or a related field (obtained max. 6 years ago, based on the diploma data).
- Experience in mammalian DMS or other high-throughput functional genomics
- Experience in mammalian cell culture, cell line engineering, and flow cytometry
- You can execute complex, non-standard experimental workflows
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with attention to detail and a sense of responsibility
- Team player with the ability to work independently
- Interest in mentoring and knowledge transfer, supporting students and early-career researchers
- Proactive and flexible mindset, with a willingness to take initiative
- Excellent written and spoken English, including scientific writing
- Motivation to apply for external funding
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
- A postdoc position fully funded through an EOS project
- Participation in an exciting and rapidly evolving research field
- Being part of a stimulating and supportive environment with a young, dynamic, and enthusiastic research staff with great team spirit and a broad range of expertise
- Access to state-of-the-art technology and facilities
- Institutional training opportunities to broaden your expertise and skills
- We offer you a contract of indefinite duration
- Your contract will start on 01-01-2027 at the earliest
- All Ghent University staff members enjoy several benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, a bicycle allowance, and eco vouchers…
Click here for more information about our employee benefits - Your remuneration will be determined by the salary scale PD1 to PD4.
Click here for more information about our salary scales
INTERESTED?
Applications can only be submitted online via the e-recruitment system until the application deadline (see above). We do not accept late applications or applications submitted through other channels.
Please attach the following documents to your application:
- In the field “CV”: your CV
- In the field “Motivation letter”: your motivation letter
- In the field “Diploma”: a copy of the required diploma (if already obtained)
- In the field “Other documents”: a reference letter, transcripts, … (add or remove as appropriate)
Please note: each field has a maximum upload limit of 10 MB.
Ghent University pursues an equal opportunities and diversity policy and encourages everyone to apply.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Dr. Sven Eyckerman (Sven. [email protected], +32 (0)9/224 98 31). Please note: do not submit your application by email; apply online.
Do you have a question regarding the online application process? Please read the FAQ or contact us via [email protected].
