Lead a lab at a top international institute
The VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology (Belgium) is searching for a junior Principal Investigator (PI) to join their faculty.
As part of our strategic investment in the area of neurobiology, we are seeking candidates with a primary interest in neuroimmunology and neurodegeneration with expertise in unraveling the interactions between the immune system and the brain and the underlying disease-associated cellular and molecular mechanisms. Candidates at the junior level and with a track record of important contributions to the field of neuroimmunology with a focus on in-vitro and in-vivo disease modelling are encouraged to apply. We look for candidates who have research plans and a scientific vision that complements those of the faculty at the Center, creating synergies and opportunities for collaboration.
Your profile
- A PhD and experience as a postdoctoral researcher or faculty member
- Innovative research goals with valorization potential in the field of neuroimmunology
- Demonstrated scientific excellence and impactful discoveries in the area of neuroimmunology and neuroscience, demonstrating creativity and scientific quality
- Demonstrated success in obtaining competitive research funding
- A collaborative and interdisciplinary mindset
- Ambition to become a great coach and mentor of junior trainees
- Interest in outreach and broadly contributing to a top scientific environment
- Studied or worked in different regions/countries
- Experience in technology transfer is not required but would be considered a strength
We offer
- Full salary and core funding for five years (internationally competitive > 1 million EUR package depending on experience) that is renewable every 5 years.
- An attractive employment package including 100% of your salary and excellent health benefits
- Access to excellent and staffed core facilities at our Center and both of our hosting institutes: UAntwerp and VIB
- An internationally recognized, vibrant, and collaborative research environment
- Broad administrative and accounting support, including help recruiting technicians, PhDs and post-doc scientists for your group
- Professional leadership training for all PIs in the institute
- State-of-the-art research space
- A workplace that values diversity and promotes an inclusive environment
- Help with relocation and establishing a life in Belgium, including visa application (if necessary), housing, schooling and daycare
About the VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology
Our Center currently hosts six PIs, each internationally recognized leader in the field of Neurogenetics or Neuroimmunology. Their groups address a broad set of questions related to neurodegenerative diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system, with an emphasis on understanding the genetic etiology and developing diagnostics and treatment methods for these diseases. Approaches range from human genetics and genomics to protein biochemistry and neuronal and immune and glial cell biology, while models include yeast, fly, mouse, and stem cell and humanized systems. Research groups have access to state-of-the-art research and top-notch support core facilities and attract talented PhD students and postdocs from across the world.
Prof. Dr. Rosa Rademakers is the Scientific Director, and the vision of the Center is to consolidate its position of the center as world leader in the field of Neurogenomics, and become a stronghold of neuroimmunology research within the next years, all of that while investing in a collaborative research environment focused on team-science. Together, we aim to use innovative clinical, genetic, computational, and functional biology approaches to define the molecular causes of neurodegenerative brain diseases and their key disease-modifying pathways, and to translate neuroscience discoveries into more precise diagnoses and treatment options for patients.
The VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology is part of VIB, a world-class Life Sciences institute with colleague-researchers in cancer, biotechnology, structural biology and immunology amongst others and an extensive set of core facilities and opportunities for technology transfer. We are also embedded within the University of Antwerp, which hosts additional research groups focused on neuroimaging, electrophysiology, bioinformatics (Biomina), and omics sciences.
About the City of Antwerp and Flanders
Antwerp is a dynamic and attractive European university city with a rich history and a lively multicultural atmosphere. Antwerp and the greater region of Flanders is internationally-oriented and tech-minded with a strong biotechnology sector with spin-offs and start-ups, creating a natural home for researchers and their families. English is very widely spoken in the city and surrounding area.
Antwerp offers an affordable high standard of living and has an international school. The public education system and public health care system in Flanders are world-class, easily accessible, and low-cost to end-users. Public transport is also excellent and widely available. Antwerp is located at the heart of Europe: only 15 minutes away from Deurne Airport and 35 minutes by train from Brussels International Airport, with many daily direct flights to North America, Africa and Asia. There are also high-speed direct international rail connections to Paris, London and Amsterdam.
Start date: between Q4 2024 and Q1 2025
How to apply?
Apply through our online system to upload:
- a cover letter
- your CV
- contact details of 3 referees
- a 4-5 page statement of your research interests and research goals
Application deadline: April 30th, 2024. Shortlisted applicants will be invited starting in May 2024 for an interview.
For more information
Contact Prof. dr. Rosa Rademakers, chair of the search committee at [email protected]
