Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp
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The Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP) from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and the VIB-Centre for Molecular Neurology (VIB-CMN) from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences are looking for a full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship holder in the field of colorectal cancer biology, mucin splicing and omics.
Position
- You will work actively on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis in the field of colorectal cancer biology, mucin splicing and omics. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy and is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Current treatment options such as chemotherapy and targeted/immunotherapies are insufficient due to resistance development and limited efficacy. Personalized medicine, focusing on novel prognostic and predictive biomarkers to identify patients that will respond to treatment, is crucial to increase the success rate and the patient's quality of life. One of the hallmark features of CRC adenocarcinomas is aberrant mucin expression which drives the transition from inflammation towards cancer and has been linked to initiation, progression, and poor prognosis of colorectal cancer. Adenocarcinomas also overexpress transmembrane mucins to exploit their role in promoting tumour cell death resistance. Furthermore, mucins undergo extensive splicing. Mucins are highly polymorphic and gene polymorphisms affecting mucin gene expression have been reported to influence susceptibility towards CRC. The presence of genetic differences, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in mucin genes can give rise to a large repertoire of structurally diverse mRNA isoforms via alternative splicing whereby exons and introns are differentially arranged via mechanisms such as cassette exons, alternative 5’ and 3’ splice sites, exon skipping, intron retention, mutually exclusive exons and exon scrambling. These splicing processes are regulated by cis-regulatory sequences and trans-acting splicing factors (SFs). While most mRNA isoforms produced from the same mucin gene locus encode similar biological functions, others can have the potential to alter protein function resulting in the progression towards disease. Such cancer-associated mucin mRNA isoforms can thus be essential players in protecting CRC cells from death and in this way impacting the efficacy of CRC treatment. In this project, you will first unravel the mucin mRNA isoform landscape and its alternative splicing machinery (i.e. cis-acting regulatory elements called exonic/intronic splicing enhancers or silencers (ESE, ISE, ESS, ISS) that are targeted by RNA-binding proteins; trans-acting splicing factors (SFs)) that associate with the marked heterogeneity in CRC and disease outcome. Subsequently, you will investigate the potential of these CRC-associated mucin mRNA isoforms to predict the malignant transformation in patients with precancer stadia. These research objectives will be approached using established high-throughput next-generation sequencing technologies (i.e. long-read RNA isoform sequencing, snRNA/scRNA sequencing, WGS, eCLIP sequencing) and translational set-ups.
- You will publish scientific articles related to the research project and will participate to scientific conferences presenting your work as poster or oral presentation.
- You are willing to apply for additional research funding for this project.
- You will carry out a limited number of teaching and research support tasks for the Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Profile
- You hold a master’s degree in medicine, science, bioscience engineering, bioinformatics, or biomedical sciences or equivalent.
- You can demonstrate excellent study results.
- You have good knowledge in molecular (cell) biology, genetics, high throughput sequencing technologies (long-read (Pacbio, Nanopore) & short-read (Illumina) platforms, biostatistics and bioinformatics or are eager to submerge into these fields. Practical experience with next-generation sequencing and the use of bioinformatics will favour your application.
- 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 show a clear interest in translational/clinical and biomarker research with valorisation potential.
What we offer
- We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of 2 years with possibility for further extension of 2 years after positive evaluation.
- The planned start date is 1 October 2025 or as soon as possible after that date.
- 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” 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 5 May 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 as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure. Interviews will be planned on 2 June 2025 (in the morning).
- If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to [email protected]. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Prof. Dr. Annemieke Smet, 03 265 2611, [email protected], Prof. Dr. Benedicte De Winter, 03 265 2710, [email protected] or Prof. Dr. Kristel Sleegers, 03 265 1630, [email protected].
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.
