PhD Student

Job description

The Basic and Translational Endocrinology (BaTE) unit led by Prof. Vanessa Dubois studies sex hormone signaling in various target tissues including the musculoskeletal system. By combining mouse models of altered sex hormone action with molecular biology and omics approaches, the PhD student will contribute to new insights into how sex hormones regulate biological processes. Specifically, the project aims to unravel the impact of gender-affirming therapy started in early puberty on skeletal muscle, making use of a mouse model of adolescent gender transition (Dubois et al. J Bone Miner Res 2023). The technologies that will be used include (but are not limited to) mouse handling, cell culture, qRT-PCR, western blotting, ELISA, immunohistochemistry, and transcriptomic analyses.

Job Tasks

Your key tasks as a PhD student are to: perform independent scientific research, as well as collaborate with other members of the team, department and (international) collaborators; attend the doctoral training program and other PhD courses; write and publish scientific articles related to your research project; present the data at scientific conferences.

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 September 1, 2025 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.
• The BaTE unit is part of the Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, a multidisciplinary research environment with close collaboration between clinicians and scientists enabling high quality fundamental and translational research. On top of acquiring scientific skills, you will be given the opportunity to develop transferable skills such as networking, project management and mentoring/supervision.

Job profile

We seek a highly motivated PhD candidate with theoretical knowledge in general molecular biology and hormone action, willing to work with laboratory animals (mice) and omics data. You have a master degree in (bio)medical sciences, (bio)engineering, pharmacy or a related discipline, or will obtain it very soon. Experience with rodent models (FELASA certification), bioinformatics and/or molecular biology techniques is an asset. You are able to work independently, as well as function as part of a team. You are proficient in oral and written English. You are detail-oriented, pro-active and continuously strive to improve yourself. You take responsibility for your analyses and place your scientific integrity above anything else.

How to apply

Please send your application to Prof. Dr. Vanessa Dubois (vanessa.dubois@ugent.be) before May 15th, 2025. This application should contain the following items, merged into a single .pdf document:

• A cover letter, including date of availability
• Your CV
• A copy of your diplomas and the full transcripts of the scores you have obtained during your degree(s); if possible, indicate your position in the cohort of students within your graduation year
• The contact details (mail and phone) of two referees