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KU Leuven

Somatic mosaicism in hematoinflammation

2025-03-28 (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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For an innovative research project at KU Leuven-VIB, Belgium, we are looking for a motivated PhD researcher to contribute to fundamental insights into the role and evolution of somatic mosaicism in unexplained inflammatory and immunological disorders.

Start Date: 2025 (depending on your training schedule)
Duration: 4 years
Funding: FWO
Project: Somatic mosaicism in hematoinflammation. SMID study UZ Leuven (S67807)
Supervision: Prof. Dr. Rik Schrijvers (internal medicine, allergy, and clinical immunology UZL, promoter), Prof. Jonas Demeulemeester (KU Leuven-VIB, integrative cancer genomics lab), Dr. Albrecht Betrains (internal medicine UZL), Prof. Dr. Marielle Beckers (hematology UZL).

Project

Somatic mosaicism has recently been linked to disease entities such as VEXAS, where somatic mutations cause immune-mediated inflammation combined with hematological manifestations. We suspect that somatic mosaicism plays a significant role in other (primary) immune deficiencies or unexplained diseases, such as Schnitzler syndrome. However, the mechanisms, as well as the temporal and spatial aspects of hematoinflammatory disorders remain poorly understood. This project combines a solid clinical foundation with cutting-edge sequencing technologies and functional testing to investigate the molecular origin of these processes. We aim to understand the interactions between genetic changes and inflammatory mechanisms, with the ultimate goal of clarifying unexplained diseases and developing new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Profile

What will your role be?

  • Collaborate with clinicians (from diverse backgrounds) and basic scientists.
  • Participate in recruiting patients and collecting relevant samples.
  • Conduct experimental research (single-cell sequencing, deep sequencing, molecular functional assays) in collaboration with a broad research team.
  • Critically analyze and present your data, and report your findings in scientific publications and at (inter)national conferences.

What are we looking for?

  • A master’s degree in medicine, biomedical sciences or equivalent with a very good/excellent academic record.
  • Strong interest in immunology, genetics, and molecular biology.
  • A self-driven, eager-to-learn, and team-oriented individual with initiative.
  • Excellent communication skills (English and Dutch).

Offer

What do we offer?

  • A full-time PhD contract for four years at KU Leuven. Funding is guaranteed (FWO-G0AHL25N), but we also aim to apply for personal funding (application for FWO fellowship during your 1st and potentially 2nd PhD year).
  • Access to advanced research facilities and an inspiring scientific environment.
  • Training and support for your professional and scientific development.
  • Participation in international collaborations and networks in a cutting-edge research field.

Interested?

Interested? 

Send your motivation letter, CV, and reference contacts via this website.

For more information, you can contact Prof. Rik Schrijvers (rik.schrijvers@uzleuven.be) or Prof. Jonas Demeulemeester (jonas.demeulemeester@kuleuven.be) or Dr. Willem Roosens, mail:
willem.roosens@uzleuven.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.

Job details

Title
Somatic mosaicism in hematoinflammation
Employer
Location
Oude Markt 13 Leuven, Belgium
Published
2025-01-17
Application deadline
2025-03-28 23:59 (Europe/Brussels)
2025-03-28 23:59 (CET)
Job type
PhD
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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