PhD research position for preclinical and translational research in sarcoma

The Laboratory of Experimental Oncology is a dedicated team of clinicians and scientists focused on sarcoma research. We utilize our evolving platforms, including liquid biopsies, patient-derived xenograft models, and tissue microarrays, to study sarcoma biology and test new therapies in vivo.
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Project

Sarcoma is a heterogenous group of rare mesenchymal tumours with more than 90 distinct subtypes described. The limited treatment options available for patients with advanced sarcoma underline the need for reliable preclinical models to test new therapeutic approaches. Our group established a unique panel of PDX models in nude mice (XenoSarc), currently constituting of more than 85 different models from various human sarcoma subtypes. These models are well-characterised, making XenoSarc  a very useful platform for preclinical validation of putative therapeutic targets and the evaluation of novel compounds in vivo. This work is done in collaboration with academic centres and industrial partners. Your role in this project will be to prepare, perform and analyse in vivo experiments, testing novel therapeutic approaches. You will be using a variety of established histopathological and molecular techniques. Furthermore, you will be involved in creating and characterising novel PDX models, to maintain and expand existing platforms. In addition, you will possibly be working on establishing alternative types of models for preclinical drug testing.

Profile

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s degree in biomedical sciences or a related field and possesses hands-on experience in histopathological and/or molecular techniques. A publication record is a plus.

A FELASA or comparable laboratory animal training certificate is valued, or you should be willing to obtain this shortly after starting the position. Experience in animal work is an advantage but not a prerequisite.

Excellent verbal and written English communication and interpersonal skills.

In addition, you:

-          can work independently on ambitious projects in an enthusiastic team of researchers;

-          have the ability to perform your research to the highest standards and integrity, work accurately and meet timelines;

-          have a good team spirit, enjoying working in a multi-cultural group of colleagues and external collaborators;

-          obtain excellent communication skills through presentations, scientific papers and discussion with team members and with our collaborators.

Offer

We are offering full time employment in an intellectually challenging environment. We have onsite access to state-of-the-art facilities, including high-throughput sequencing, bioinformatics, imaging, high-capacity computing, single cell analysis platforms, flow cytometry and others. KU Leuven is highly inter- and multidisciplinary-focused and strives for international excellence. In this regard, it actively works together with other collaborators in Belgium and abroad.

You will work in Leuven, a historic, dynamic, and lively city located in the heart of Belgium, within 20 minutes from Brussels, the capital of the European Union, and less than two hours from Paris, London, and Amsterdam.

Applicants must hold a Master degree (or comparable qualification) when commencing the post. The earliest start date of the position is January 1st, 2025, with some flexibility for our ideal candidates. We offer 4-year contracts on a competitive salary, pending positive evaluation by our doctoral school after 1 year.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Agnieszka Wozniak, tel.: +32 16 37 21 38, mail: agnieszka.wozniak@kuleuven.be or Prof. dr. Patrick Schöffski, tel.: +3216341019, mail: patrick.schoffski@kuleuven.be.

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.