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KU Leuven

Professor position Functional Cancer Genomics

2025-02-13 (Europe/Brussels)
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About the employer

KU Leuven is an autonomous university. It was founded in 1425. It was born of and has grown within the Catholic tradition.

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The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (CMM), KU Leuven and the VIB Center for Cancer Biology (VIB CCB) are recruiting a professor/group leader in Functional Cancer Genomics with a research-specific focus on oncology and the development of new technological approaches integrating functional genomics with single cell & multi-omics technologies.
KU Leuven is the largest and oldest university in Belgium (founded in 1425). It is a leading academic institution in Europe and its mission is to achieve excellent academic education and research. The KU Leuven department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (CMM) encompasses 18 research groups that explore the molecular mechanisms of disease: basic cellular and molecular processes and their (patho)physiological effects, as well as their implications in various human diseases. CMM combines expertise in techniques of biochemistry, electrophysiology, molecular biology, cell imaging, proteomics, bioinformatics and animal-model development to acquire novel insights into cellular signaling and communication processes. Major areas of research include signaling by ions, lipids and protein phosphorylation, chromatin structure and function, protein structure, (mis)folding and transport, cell metabolism and death, autophagy and differentiation. Research facilities are located on Campus Gasthuisberg, which is the home of the health science faculties of the KU Leuven, and the academic hospital (UZ Leuven). UZ Leuven is the largest hospital in Belgium and one of the largest in Europe, and is strongly committed to excellence in clinical care and medical research. The campus offers researchers an excellent environment for fundamental and translational research.
VIB is an entrepreneurial and vibrant non-profit research institute in Flanders-Belgium with a clear focus on groundbreaking research in life sciences. More than 1500 scientists and technologists from over 60 countries are working in 10 thematic research centers located at the 5 Flemish Universities of Ghent, Leuven, Antwerp, Hasselt & Brussels and are studying the broad spectrum of molecular mechanisms that regulate the functions of the human body. VIB encourages and supports risk taking, and enables collaborations with top scientists and institutes world-wide. By maintaining the highest standards of research, VIB creates an innovative atmosphere and provides a supportive and collegial environment that allows the scientists to launch novel and ambitious research programs and encourages them to translate results into novel therapeutics, diagnostics, applications and technologies.
The VIB Center for Cancer Biology (CCB) currently hosts more than 240 scientists in 14 independent research groups and units who work on various hallmarks of tumors and their microenvironment including angiogenesis, inflammation, metabolism, genetic, epigenetic regulating circuits and cancer immunology. Together we share the ambition to contribute to the better understanding of the biology that underlies cancer initiation, progression and metastatic dissemination with the ultimate goal to develop more effective and specific anti-cancer (combination) therapies.
Selection is done by both the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (CMM), KU Leuven and the VIB Center Cancer Biology (CCB). Thus, the successful candidate must be ranked favorably by both CMM and CCB.

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Duties

Research

You will lead a ground-breaking scientific program addressing basic research questions with a pronounced translational potential. You have a collaborative mindset that will allow you to build bridges between existing research groups at VIB and KU Leuven, as well as with other academic centers and the industry. You will focus on functional genomics with a research-specific focus on oncology and an unmet patient need.
We are particularly interested in researchers working on the development of new technological approaches that integrate CRISPR-based technologies as well as other functional genomics or chemical biology approaches with single cell & multi-omics technologies (i.e., transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, etc.). Ideally, the candidate will apply these methods to reductionist (i.e. 3D tumoroid models) or unique in vivo models (i.e. mouse genetics, in vivo lineage tracing, PDXs,…) and directly test or validate observations in these models on human tissue samples from the corresponding cancer indication.
A dedicated focus on a specific cancer indication and/or underlying biological process (metastatic dissemination, lymph node involvement, circulating tumor cells or specific tumor/microenvironment interactions, etc. is considered a plus.

Teaching

The candidate will be appointed to the Faculty of Medicine and is expected to take up teaching assignments (in English or in Dutch) in this or other faculties. You will provide high-quality teaching, with a clear commitment to the quality of the program as a whole. You will also contribute to the university's pedagogical project by supervising MSc theses and as supervisor of PhD students.

Service

You provide scientific, social, and internal services that contribute to KU Leuven's reputation.

Profile

  • You have obtained a PhD degree in the (Bio-) Medical Sciences or another field that provides excellent preparation for the requested research program.
  • You have a strong research profile within the aforementioned research domains and the quality of your research is proven by publications in international leading journals and conferences.
  • You have an interest in outreach and broadly contributing to an exciting scientific environment.
  • Interdisciplinary mindset and keen on collaborating broadly in the center, the department, and the university.
  • You possess organizational skills and have a collaborative attitude. You also possess leadership capacities.
  • You have international research experience.
  • The successful candidate must also be selected as VIB group leader at the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology.
  • Proficiency in English is required.
  • The official language used at KU Leuven is Dutch. If you do not speak Dutch (or do not speak it well) at the start of employment, KU Leuven will provide language training to enable you to take part in meetings. Before teaching courses in Dutch or English, you will be given the opportunity to learn Dutch, respectively English, to the required standard.

Offer

  • A challenging position in a supportive and international research environment with committed peers (this includes a mentoring program and a Group Leader coaching track).
  • An employment package that is internationally attractive and that is independent of research funding and grants, with excellent healthcare benefits.
  • Access to excellent and staffed core facilities at CCB, at VIB and at KU Leuven.
  • Broad administrative support in finance, HR, logistics, operations & regulatory affairs.
  • Collaborative atmosphere with clinicians from the University Hospital UZ Leuven located on the same campus.
  • Assistance with daily life issues such as relocation including visa application (if necessary), move & housing, school & day care.
  • This position is linked to a group leader position at the VIB Center for Cancer Biology. Applying candidates must have passed the CCB selection procedure.
  • A professorship at KU Leuven implies that you obtain a CEFR level B2 certificate in the Dutch language within the first five years of your employment. KU Leuven and VIB provide language training facilities that will support you with this.
  • KU Leuven is well set to welcome foreign professors and their family and provides practical support with regard to immigration & administration, housing, childcare, learning Dutch, partner career coaching, …

Interested?

For more information, contact Department Chair of KU Leuven CMM Rudi Vennekens (rudi.vennekens@kuleuven.be) or the VIB CCB Science Directors Diether Lambrechts or Jean-Christophe Marine. For problems with online applying, please contact solliciteren@kuleuven.be.
Deadline: February 13th 2025.
You can apply via the online application tool.
Please add the following attachments to your application:
- Motivation letter
- Complete CV with publication list
- Bio sketch highlighting your added value for CMM, VIB CCB and the Biomedical group (max 3p).
- Your vision on education at KU Leuven (max 1p)
- Contact details of 3 references
KU Leuven places great importance on research integrity and ethical conduct and will therefore ask you to sign an integrity statement upon appointment.

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.

Job details

Title
Professor position Functional Cancer Genomics
Employer
Location
Oude Markt 13 Leuven, Belgium
Published
2025-01-15
Application deadline
2025-02-13 23:59 (Europe/Brussels)
2025-02-13 23:59 (CET)
Job type
Save job

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About the employer

KU Leuven is an autonomous university. It was founded in 1425. It was born of and has grown within the Catholic tradition.

Visit the employer page