Postdoctoral fellow

Job description

In the inter-university VLIR-IBOF project entitled ‘MINDFUL: MIcroglia directed NeuroDegeneration FUeled by Lipid metabolism’, prof. Dmitriev and prof. Vergult will put their expertise together to establish neural organoid models recapitulating aspects of neural-microglia interactions in neurodegenerative diseases at Ghent University.

About project MINDFUL:
Lipid accumulation in microglia is a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). These lipid-loaded microglia are associated with disease pathology and enhance neuroinflammation, myelin breakdown, and neuronal loss. Although brain lipid metabolism has been known to be altered in MS and AD for a long time, and many genetic risk variants are linked to lipid metabolism, little is known about how these changes are connected to the accumulation of lipids in microglia, and how this promotes neurodegeneration. In this project, we aim to elucidate how lipid metabolism controls microglia-neuron interaction by bringing together unique expertise in Flanders on MS, AD, cutting-edge technologies, and innovative models. By combining this knowhow, we will gain novel insights in the link between altered lipid metabolism and neurodegeneration which can provide new, more effective targets to prevent neurological decline. This is an inter-university consortium project involving Ghent University, KU Leuven and coordinated by Hasselt University (Prof. J. Hendriks).

The starting postdoctoral researcher will be engaged in setting up iPSC-derived human neural (brain) organoid model recapitulating neural-microglia interactions, as well as establishing fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) approaches and analysis pipelines to perform non-destructive monitoring of neuronal function, DAMs, and multiplexing this with other cutting edge analysis techniques (transcriptomics, mass spectrometry imaging and Raman spectroscopies). It is expected that the researcher will co-supervise a starting PhD student on the same project. The project will require a diverse set of skills in live microscopy, organoids and bioinformatics.

We are looking for a talented and strongly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our enthusiastic and young interdisciplinary teams of Prof. Dmitriev (Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials Group) and Prof. Vergult (Functional Genomics lab), as part of the MINDFUL research consortium. We provide an open and stimulating working environment, in which teamwork, initiative, supervisory experience, a critical mindset and originality are highly appreciated.
We offer a 1 year position, which can be extended to 2 years or further. We will also expect to participate in obtaining external funding (e.g. by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) or MSCA-postdoctoral fellowship).

Job profile

• You hold a doctoral degree or a diploma or certificate recognized as equivalent by law or in application of the guidelines of the European Union or a bilateral agreement.
• In exceptional circumstances and based on detailed scientific justification, researchers who do not hold such a degree may also be considered, provided they have demonstrated exceptional scientific merit.
• Exceptional scientific merit is defined as having excelled in scientific research and publications at a level at least equivalent to a doctoral degree.
• The ‘doctoral bursaal’ grant can also be awarded within the framework of international scientific mobility. This is the case if:
  
  • the researcher has resided abroad for at least 24 months out of the 3 years prior to the start date of the postdoctoral fellowship and has not worked or studied in Belgium during that period. However, short-term stays in Belgium are allowed during 24 months, such as holidays, participation in conferences or a short stay to prepare for the period as a postdoctoral researcher
  • the researcher is funded by the Marie- Sklodovska-Curie Action (MSCA) and thus meets the associated mobility conditions.
  • Only for postdoctoral researchers in international mobility
• Your PhD is within relevant area for the MINDFUL project (neurodegenerative diseases, organoid technology using guided and unguided differentiation, experience with microglia, AD and MS). You should be also eligible to apply for MSCA-postdoctoral fellowship (2025) and FWO postdoctoral research funding. More info on eligibility here: https://www.fwo.be/en/support-programmes/postdoctoral-fellowships/
  https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/postdoctoral-fellowships
• You have a strong interest in (3D) stem cell culture, microscopy, biosensors, genetics and molecular biology. Prior experience with (iPSC) tissue culture, neurodegenerative diseases or neuroscience, FLIM microscopy and organoids is a competitive advantage.
• You have (basic) bio-informatics skills or are willing to learn. Prior experience with FLIM (performing experiments, data analysis, e.g. with FLUTE, Flimfit, SPCImage, or napari) and/or next generation sequencing data-analysis and ability to code are considered an advantage.
• You are an accurate and precise worker and possess strong analytical problem-solving skills (creative, critical, thinking out-of-the-box).
• You can work independently, yet you are also a team player.
• Candidates must have excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• You are expected to get involved in supervision of master students, organising conferences and minor teaching activities

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer a full time position as a postdoctoral fellow, with a minimum period of (minimum 3 months, maximum 36 months in total) which can be extended twice taking into account the maximum period of 36 months.
• In deviation the above, an EEA national, who has previously received a postdoctoral grant in the 12 months prior to an MSCA grant, can exceed the maximum term of 36 months under this MSCA grant provided that the entire term does not exceed 48 months.
• Your contract will start on 01/08/2025 at the earliest.
• The grant amount is equal to the net salary of a doctoral assistant (AAP 5) with the same level of education and seniority and based on the same family situation as the doctoral assistant. The supervisor may deviate from this and assign a higher level based on acquired experience, professional career and demonstrated competences. The grant amount will not be revised in the current year except in case of indexation. 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. 

How to apply

Applications including a CV, motivation letter (max. 1 page), and the email addresses of two potential referees should be sent electronically to both prof. Ruslan Dmitriev (ruslan.dmitriev@ugent.be) and prof. Sarah Vergult (sarah.vergult@ugent.be) by May-15th, the latest.
Top-ranked candidates will be invited for an interview (either on-site or via Teams). Starting date will be determined in agreement with the candidate.