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Doctoral research on compression therapy for chronic edema

  • //applyindex.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/belgium.png Belgium
  • University/Institute Name KU Leuven
  • Attendance Type On Campus (Full Time)
  • Position Funding Type Research Assistantship (RA)
  • Application deadlineAugust 17, 2025
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Position Details (PhD Research Project)

The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences of the Faculty of Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Unit GRID-Oncology at KU Leuven (Prof. Nele Devoogdt), and the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Research Unit Vascular Surgery at KU Leuven (Prof. Sarah Thomis), in collaboration with the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Antwerp, Research Group MOVANT (Prof. Nick Gebruers), are looking for a full-time (100%) PhD student in the field of edema rehabilitation.
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Project

The BeCoMe trial is a multicenter pragmatic randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted in collaboration between the University of Antwerp/ UZA (main institution), KU Leuven/ UZ Leuven, and UZ Gent.
The target population of this project are patients suffering from chronic edema/ lymphedema of the lower limbs.
In these patients, in addition to standard care during the intensive treatment phase, “intensified compression” will be applied to increase the effectiveness of compression therapy using a multi-component bandage. This intensified compression involves reapplying the bandage three times a day. The multi-component bandage includes tubular bandages, padding material, and inelastic (short-stretch) bandages.
Standard care consists of complex decongestive therapy, including skin care and soft tissue techniques, exercise therapy, patient education, and compression as currently defined in the physiotherapy reimbursement system, with one application of a multi-component inelastic compression bandage per day.
The primary outcome is the number of treatment sessions required to achieve a non-pitting edema and to maintain this result during the maintenance phase.
Secondary outcomes focus on quality of life, treatment adherence, and patient experience with the intensified compression, as well as the time and cost-effectiveness of the intensified compression.

Profile

  • You hold a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Sciences and Physical Therapy, in Medicine, or in Biomedical Sciences, or you will obtain this degree by September 2025.
  • You act with a focus on quality, integrity, creativity, and collaboration.
  • You are a highly motivated, enthusiastic, critical, and creative individual who will strengthen our team.
  • You have a strong interest in scientific research and are motivated to start a PhD. You have already built a solid academic and clinical internship record.
  • You enjoy working with patients in close collaboration with a team of physicians, nurses, physical therapist, and researchers.
  • You speak Dutch, are fluent in English, and have strong communication skills.
  • You possess organizational skills, are accurate, and eager to learn.
  • You have a flexible attitude.
  • You are a team player who contributes to and relies on the work of colleagues.

Offer

We offer a doctoral scholarship (PhD fellowship) for a period of one year. After a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be extended for an additional three years.
The planned start date is October 20, 2025 (subject to availability).
You will primarily carry out your work at Campus Gasthuisberg of KU Leuven and Campus Pellenberg of the University Hospital Leuven, in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
Within this position, your responsibilities will include:
  • Actively working on the preparation of a doctoral thesis.
  • Recruiting patients, mainly in the University Hospital Leuven, and in case of absence of the PhD student there also in the University Hospital Antwerp .
  • Performing participant evaluations (e.g. measurements of volume, water content, fibrosis, lymphatic transport), in collaboration with the research team, primarily in the University Hospital Leuven, but also in the University Hospital Gent and University Hospital Antwerp if needed.
  • Managing study data (setting up and entering data into REDCap).
  • Providing limited support in educational or clinical tasks at UZ Leuven, aligned with your previous training.

Interested?

You may apply for this position until 18th of August 2025 (midnight, Belgian time) through the KU Leuven online application platform. Click on the “Apply” button and complete the online application form. Please make sure including the following attachments:
A motivation letter
Your academic CV
The selection committee will review all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. Once a decision has made, we will inform you. If you are shortlisted, you will be notified about the possible next steps in the selection process.
Please already reserve the following date in your agenda for the interview: Monday afternoon 25th of August 2025, at campus Gasthuisberg KU Leuven/ UZ Leuven.
If you have any questions about the position itself, please contact Prof. Nele Devoogdt ([email protected]; +32 16 34 25 15) and/or Prof. Sarah Thomis ([email protected]).

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.

Research Areas & Fields of Study involved in the position

Biomedicine Rehabilitation Medicine

Position Start Date

Check Position Description