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Peripheral infections in neurodegeneration and brain-immune crosstalk

  • //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 deadlineExpired
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Position Details (PhD Research Project)

The ADVANTAGE Lab (Laboratory for Advanced Disease Models, Targeted Drug Development, and Gene Therapy) at KU Leuven is seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join an innovative project investigating the link between peripheral infections and neurodegenerative diseases, with a specific focus on Parkinson’s disease and multiple system atrophy.

Our lab is an interdisciplinary and translational research group focused on neurodegenerative disease mechanisms, advanced disease models, and therapeutic discovery. The lab is embedded in a vibrant scientific environment with access to cutting-edge infrastructure.
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Project

Emerging clinical and experimental data suggest that infections outside the brain can act as triggers for pathological processes in the central nervous system, including the misfolding and spread of pathogenic protein. This project will examine how systemic immune responses, resulting from infections, may compromise brain-border interfaces, to initiate or exacerbate neurodegeneration.
Key objectives include:
• Defining how infection-induced immune signals affect BBB integrity and brain immune surveillance
• Investigating how brain-resident immune cells respond to peripheral immune challenges
• Exploring whether specific peripheral immune profiles are associated with disease progression
The successful candidate will employ animal models, and single-cell omics approaches, and will collaborate closely with teams in Belgium to integrate findings from patient-derived plasma and human brain samples.
This PhD project offers a dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment at the forefront of neuroimmunology and neurodegeneration, with direct relevance to the development of new biomarkers and therapeutic targets

Profile

• The candidate has a master’s degree in medicine, neurosciences, immunology, or biomedical sciences.
• Experience with animal models is a plus
• Top 15% for grades obtained during Bachelor/Master
• The candidate is motivated to work with complex laboratory animal models
• Excellent oral English communication and presentation skills are required
• Passion for research and sense of perseverance
• Critical mind with a great sense of initiative
• Good interpersonal skills
• Since the candidate must apply for a PhD scholarship, a master’s degree obtained in the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland is a requirement.

Offer

 A full-time PhD position for 1 year, with the possibility of extension.
• Competitive salary of €55.000 – 65.000/year.
• The position includes full social security coverage and comprehensive health insurance through the Belgian national healthcare system.
• Active interdisciplinary collaboration with immunologists and neuroscientists, both within KU Leuven and through national and international consortia.
• Doctoral training at the KU Leuven Doctoral School. You will follow a personalized doctoral training plan, including courses in scientific writing, presentation skills, and career planning.
• Hands-on training in state-of-the-art technologies, including iPSC-derived brain models, animal models, flow cytometry, high-resolution imaging, and single-cell omics.
• Opportunities to present your work at international conferences, participate in workshops and symposia, and publish in leading journals.
• A dynamic, collegial, and collaborative working environment in Leuven, a historic and international university city with a high quality of life and excellent connectivity in the heart of Europe.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Wouter Peelaerts, tel.: +32 16 37 40 59, mail: [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 Immunology Neuroscience

Position Start Date

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