Doctoral fellow

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

For the Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences) we are looking for a m/f/x - Doctoral fellow.
JOB PROFILE
This Collaborative Doctoral Partnership with the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission will focus on further development of innovative health biotechnological drugs, more specifically mRNA therapeutics. As the science and knowledge service of the European Commission, the Joint Research Centre's mission is to provide independent, evidence-based knowledge and science, supporting EU policies to positively impact society.
Currently, mRNA-LNPs are in late-phase clinical trials as Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs). Despite their widespread use, appropriate physico-chemical characterization of these nanomedicines is challenging due to their intrinsic complexity and requires the use of multidisciplinary techniques and competencies. This PhD project aims to further exploit the potential of (targeted) mRNA-LNPs with distinct physico-chemical properties by developing advanced analytical tools to better understand their stability and potential to target distinct immune subsets. With a strong focus on regulatory science, this PhD will contribute to a faster translation of innovative health biotechnologies from the laboratory to the market.
A successful completion will lead to a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences at Ghent University. The Doctoral Training Program at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences consist of 4 years of doctoral training. This will consist of two year research stay at JRC (Ispra, Italy), followed by a 2-year research stay at Ghent University.

YOUR TASKS

During his/her stay at the JRC, the doctoral student will be employed by the JRC as a Grantholder Category 20 pursuant to the "Administrative rules of 30.10.2012 applicable to the recruitment of Grant-holders under national law contracts within the framework of the research programmes managed by the JRC" (GH Rules) or any future rules that will replace the GH Rules. The national law of the JRC site where the Grant-holder will be based shall apply to his/her contract of employment with the JRC. The doctoral student will spend 24 months at the JRC in Ispra (Italy).
The selection procedure consists of two phases. A first selection procedure at Ghent University based on CV which will lead to preselection of candidates. Followed by a second selection at the JRC based on CV and interview.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• You hold a Master’s degree preferably in Pharmaceutical Sciences, biomedical sciences, bioengineering sciences 
• You will work at Ghent University (in total 24 months) and at the EU-JRC in Ispra (Italy) for 24 months. 
• You will perform experimental work in the context of ATMP development and characterization. 
• You will regularly evaluate, summarize, and present project results 
• You will write scientific papers and present your results at conferences. 
• You will contribute to tasks within the department such as supervision of internships and master students. 
• You have a passion for experimental research and are able to organize, conduct, analyze and report experiments independently. 
• You are highly motivated, efficient and result oriented. 
• You enjoy working in a collaborative fashion. 
• You have a multi-disciplinary mindset. 
• You have strong written and spoken communication skills in English. 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 

• You have the nationality of a Member State of the EU or a country associated to the EU Research Framework Programme in force or being resident in a EU Member State since at least five years and – be enrolled in a PhD programme with the HEI. Candidates who are already enrolled in the doctoral study program at Ghent University for fewer than 12 months prior to the start of the employment contract with the JRC can also be considered eligible. 
• You are medically fit to carry out the work activities foreseen. To this end medical checks might be required. 
• The selection, recruitment and the security clearance processes are subject to EU and national applicable legislation and to the internal rules and regulations of the EU Institutions. The recruitment of third-country nationals is also subject to the issuance by the Member State where the JRC site is located of a residence and work permit for the period of the stay at JRC. 
  
  

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer a full-time position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which - after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a total maximum of 48 months.

INTERESTED?

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Ine Lentacker (Ine.Lentacker@UGent.be) and dr. Rein Verbeke (Rein.Verbeke@UGent.be).