Job description

The Laboratory of Gene Therapy at Ghent University has a vacancy for an excellent and motivated junior postdoctoral researcher with expertise in the field of gene therapy, biotechnology, immunology or nanomedicine. You will work on the formulation and preclinical evaluation of mRNA vaccines against infectious diseases. The intended starting date of the position is February or March 2023.

What can we offer you?

•  A bursary contract for a duration of one year that can be extended if a positive evaluation and sufficient grants are available.
• A full-time position
• A multidisciplinary team and cooperative team
• An international competitive salary including benefits is offered
  
  

About the Laboratory
The team of Prof. Niek Sanders works since 2007 on the development of synthetic mRNAs for protein replacement therapy and vaccination. At that time a handful researchers really believed that mRNA therapeutics could revolutionize modern medicine. The team uses modified and self-amplifying (sa) mRNA platforms and investigates the in vivo efficacy and innate immunogenicity of these mRNA platforms in preclinical models. Sanders’s team worked for example recently on switchable sa-mRNAs encoding erythropoietin and on sa-mRNA vaccines against Zika virus and SARS-CoV-2. In 2019 the team also started to investigate delivery systems for mRNA vaccines and mRNA therapeutics.

Job profile

• You must have a FELASA C attest or equivalent accreditation for animal experimentation. Enclose a copy of the certificate with the application.
• You are a junior international postdoctoral researcher in the field of gene therapy, biotechnology, nanomedicine, or immunology.
• You have hands-on experience with at least four of the following items: cell cultures, in vivo experiments in mice, molecular biology techniques, transfection experiments and the readouts of them, nanoparticle formulations, production of mRNA by in vitro transcription, bioinformatics, immunology, virology.
• You can demonstrate your excellence and hands-on skills by first author publications in peer reviewed journals.
• You are able to start in February or March 2023.
• You have excellent English communication skills (both oral and written).
• You are highly motivated and can plan and conduct research accurately.
• You can function well independently as well as in a team.
• You can take initiative and have a hands-on mentality, perseverance and critical mind-set.
  
  

How to apply

Please send your application to Prof. Niek Sanders (Niek.Sanders@UGent.be) by December 28th, 2022.

Please include a single pdf in your application that combines the following elements:

• FELASA attest or equivalent accreditation for animal experimentation.
• Motivation letter expressing your interest in and suitability for the project.
• Detailed CV including publications and summary of past research activities.
• A transcript of your Masters’ degrees and PhD diploma. If the language of your degrees or diplomas are not in English, French, Dutch or German please add a translation in English.
  
  

A shortlist of applicants will be selected and invited for interviews. The first review of applications will start immediately. When you are selected for and interview you will receive an e-mail before January 14th 2023. Hence, if you do not receive an e-mail before that date this implies that you were not selected for the second round.

As Ghent University maintains equal opportunities and a diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.