Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp
The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape.
The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences (FBD) is looking for a a full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship holder in the field of proline-specific proteases.
Position
- You will work actively on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis in the field of proline-specific proteases. Building further on the group’s experience with proline-specific proteases, you will focus on the design, synthesis and evaluation of inhibitors/modulators of these proteases. Proline-specific proteases are an emerging group of potential drug targets in many disease areas, including oncology and neurodegenerative disease.
- You will be responsible for the design and the synthesis of novel compounds.
- You will perform the analytical and biochemical evaluation of the compounds and derive structure-activity relationships (in collaboration with the Medical Biochemistry group at UAntwerp).
- You will write reports for your supervisors on a regular basis.
- You will be working within our international Medicinal Chemistry Group (UAMC) of 30 researchers.
- You will publish scientific articles related to the research project.
- You will carry out a limited number of teaching and research support tasks for the Medicinal Chemistry Group.
Profile
- You hold a MSc or equivalent in the field of chemistry or pharmaceutical sciences.
- You have excellend study results (graduated with ‘cum laude’ or higher).
- You have a solid knowledge of synthetic organic chemistry and must be willing to become an expert in medicinal chemistry.
- Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.
- Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
- You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
- You are willing to apply for alternative funding for your project with external funding organisations (Research Foundation Flanders - FWO)
- You are willing to supervise students (bachelor, master and/or incoming PhD students) that work on your research project.
What we offer
- We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of two years. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed for another two years.
- The planned start date is April 15th 2025 or later.
- Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders.
- You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
- You will do most of your work at Campus Drie Eiken (Antwerp, Wilrijk) in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
- Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.
Want to apply?
- You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including February 13 2025 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:
- a motivation letter
- your academic CV
- The selection committee reviews all applications on February 17, 2025 and preselects candidates who are invited for an online selection interview. The selection interview (25 minutes) will take place in the afternoon of February 19, 2025 (please block this date in your agenda). The selected candidate will be informed about the interview on February 17.
- If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Pieter Van der Veken (professor of Medicinal Chemistry, pieter.vanderveken@uantwerpen.be).
The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.
