Doctoral Scholarship Holder Advanced Human Lung Imaging

Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape. 

The Department of Antwerp Surgical Training, Anatomy and Research Centre in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is looking for a full-time (100%) Doctoral scholarship holder in the field of Advanced human lung imaging

Position

• You will work actively on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis in the field of Advanced human lung imaging.
• A complete analysis of the airway and vascular tree in chronic lung diseases has never been performed so far. Hierarchical Phase-Contract Tomography (HiP-CT) has been developed as an innovative way to study an entire human organ in 3D on a near-microscopic scale. Within this project you will segment and quantify structural parameters of the airway and vascular system in human lung explants with emphysema and lung fibrosis- two of the most prevalent chronic lung diseases. You will also be responsible to obtain deeper biologic information by performing spatial analysis in the same organs using multiplex immunofluorescence and spatial transcriptomics. We are convinced that this project will get us one step closer in our understanding of chronic lung diseases which is desperately needed given their poor outcome.
• You will publish scientific articles related to the research project.

Profile

• You hold a Master degree in physics, biology, medicine, biomedical sciences, computer sciences or equivalent or you will have obtained it by the time you start work.
• You obtained at least one time distinction during your studies.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• You can work in an interdisciplinary team with scientists, physicists, medical doctors and computer scientists.
• Nice to have programming interest or expertise for example python to automate segmentations and to extract/quantify structural parameters.

What we offer

• We offer a Doctoral scholarship for a period of two years. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed for another two years.
• The planned start date is 1 September 2024.
• A stimulating research environment in a young and dynamic research group and collaboration with international expert leaders in the field.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for Doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
• You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• You will do most of your work at Campus 3 eiken in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 15^th of April 2024  by midnight Brussels time. Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:
  • a motivation letter
  • your academic CV
• The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure.
• The tentative date for the interviews is Monday April 22^nd (from 10 am), Campus Drie Eiken, building T.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact prof Stijn Verleden, Stijn.verleden@uantwerpen.be

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.