Postdoctoral Position in Mechanobiology of Rheumatic Disease : Leuven, Belgium

VIB is a non-profit research institute in life sciences. About 1,400 scientists conduct strategic basic research on the molecular mechanisms that are responsible for the functioning of the human body, plants, and microorganisms. Through a close partnership with four Flemish universities − UGent, KU Leuven, University of Antwerp, and Vrije Universiteit Brussel − and a solid funding program, VIB unites the forces of 74 research groups in a single institute. The goal of the research is to extend the boundaries of our knowledge of life. Through its technology transfer activities, VIB translates research results into products for the benefit of consumers and patients and contributes to new economic activity. VIB develops and disseminates a wide range of scientifically substantiated information about all aspects of biotechnology. 

Description
A postdoctoral position is available in the group of Prof. Dirk Elewaut. His research team focuses on molecular mechanisms of joint inflammation and associated tissue damage. Much emphasis in our work is given on its relevance to human disease. The project will take advantage of new evolutions in the role between biomechanics and inflammation. The goal of the project is to study the molecular determinants of joint inflammation using genomics and functional genomics approaches.

Selected publications:

- Van Praet JT, Donovan E, Vanassche I, et al. EMBO J. 2015 Feb 12;34(4):466-74
- Juchtmans N, Dhollander AA, et al. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2015 Feb;67(2):435-41.
- Jacques P, Lambrecht S, Verheugen E, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2014 Feb;73(2):437-45.
- Schett G, Elewaut D, McInnes IB, et al. Nat Med. 2013 Jul;19(7):822-4
- Matmati M, Jacques P, Maelfait J, et al. Nat Genet. 2011 Aug 14;43(9):908-12

Profile
- ​The candidate should have obtained a PhD degree in biomedical sciences, medicine or molecular biology or biotechnology
- The candidate should have an strong publication record, international profile and excellent communication skills
- The candidate should be able to work independently, and willing to contribute to the supervision of master students
- The candidate has strong practical experience with molecular biology techniques and data mining (including arrays), cellular immunology, ideally also in osteoclast biology and good knowledge on inflammation and joint inflammation and inflammation induced bone loss
- The candidate has practical experience with mouse models, ideally in the field of arthritic disease
- Extra requirements would be previous industry experience

We offer
The IRC offers an an exciting working environment with several high-end core facilities (microscopy, flow cytometry, transgenesis, cell culture, recombinant protein technology) and expert international research groups actively collaborating within and outside the IRC. The project also involves several interactions with biotech…