Postdoctoral researcher - Arbovirus-host interactions in mosquitoes
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Belgium
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KU Leuven
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On Campus (Full Time)
See Position Description-
Postdoc Salary or Fellowship
February 27, 2026
On Campus (Full Time) Position Details (Postdoc)
The Mosquito Virology Team is a dedicated and supportive group of international researchers investigating mosquito-borne viruses. We are part of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation at the University of Leuven in Belgium. Our lab is based at the Rega Institute for Medical Research. The primary focus of our research group is the development of new concepts to fight mosquito-borne viral diseases. To make this happen, we use an interdisciplinary approach involving molecular virology, drug discovery and medical entomology. For relevant publications of our lab, see: doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adr8338; doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011649; and doi: 10.1128/jvi.00060-22.
The candidate will work together with a technician and a PhD student on a project funded by the Flemish Funding Agency (FWO). The goal of the project is to identify new host factors that are important for the infection of arboviruses in different mosquito species by using scRNA sequencing. The position will combine virology, molecular biology and bioinformatics.
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Responsibilities
- You will perform arbovirus infection experiments in mosquitoes.
- You will perform end-to-end analysis of scRNA sequencing data.
- You will design and perform experiments to validate identified host factors in cells and mosquitoes.
- You are responsible for the successful execution of the described research project.
- You will contribute to scientific publications and presentations at national/international conferences.
Profile
- You have a PhD in Sciences, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or Bioengineering (or similar).
- You have demonstrated experience with analyzing omics data sets (single-cell and/or spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, etc.).
- You have experience in rearing mosquitoes and performing mosquito studies. Experience in infecting mosquitoes is an asset.
- You have excellent communication skills and you are a team player.
- You can organize and manage a multidisciplinary project and have a problem-solving attitude.
- You have an excellent knowledge of the English language (spoken and written).
- You have a strong publication record in peer-reviewed international journals, with an emphasis on quality rather than quantity of publications.
- You have very good writing skills for the preparation of progress reports and scientific papers.
Offer
- We offer full-time employment for one year (with prospect of extension).
- You will work in a dynamic and inspiring research environment, embedded in a supportive and enthusiastic team.
- You will collaborate with other national and international research groups, with project funding from the Flemish funding agency, FWO.
- Competitive remuneration package.
- Starting date is flexible.
Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Leen Delang, tel.: +32 16 32 21 07, mail: [emailprotected].
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