Doctoral fellow - Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health

Last application date Nov 10, 2025 23:59

Department DI04 - Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health

Degree A master’s degree in Bioscience Engineering, Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences, or Veterinary Medicine.

Occupancy rate 100%

Vacancy type Research staff

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY
Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15.000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities.
With its 11 faculties and more than 85 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.
For the Laboratory for Immunology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine we are looking for a doctoral fellow (m/f/x).

YOUR TASKS

The research group of prof. Bert Devriendt focuses on gut immunology. Our main interest is in host-pathogen interactions at the intestinal surface and how knowledge of these interactions can inform strategies to control infectious diseases. In that context, we are looking for a motivated candidate to further develop and advance our oral subunit vaccine platform and obtain a doctoral degree.
Vaccination has saved millions of lives. Current vaccines are administered via injection but these do not offer protection against infections with gut pathogens. Oral vaccines hold much promise to protect against these pathogens, but their development is challenging due to the poor uptake of vaccines by the intestinal epithelium. Our group has shown that the delivery of vaccines by recombinant antibodies to aminopeptidase N on the epithelium promotes the uptake of vaccines by the gut tissues. This in turn results in robust immune responses which protect against infection with bacterial gut pathogens. Using recombinant antibody engineering, gut organoids, and animal models, you will perform research to advance the development of efficacious novel oral subunit vaccines in a vibrant and international research environment..

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• You hold a master’s degree in Bioscience Engineering, Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences, or Veterinary Medicine.
• You have a strong interest in immunology and/or vaccinology. Hands-on experience is a plus.
• You have a strong interest in academic research.
• You have excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Knowledge of Dutch is an asset but not a must.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively with team members from different backgrounds and in different research areas.
• You are outcome focused and have hands-on mentality.
• You are eligible and willing to apply for scholarships.

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.
• Your contract will start on 01/01/2026 at the earliest.
• The fellowship amount is 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The individual fellowship amount is determined by Team Personnel Administration based on family status and seniority. A grant that meets the conditions and criteria of the regulations for doctoral fellowships is considered free of personal income tax. Click here for more information about our salary scales
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.

INTERESTED?

Send your CV, copy of your diploma, mentioning grades and ranking (if already in your possession) and a motivation letter to Professor Bert Devriendt ([emailprotected]) before the 10th of November 2025.

We do not accept late applications.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Bert Devriendt.