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.
VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology, Belgium and UZA is looking for a full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship holder in the field of Neurology/Pediatric Neurology
The teams of Dr. Hannah Stamberger (Neurology department UZA and Antwerp University and The Weckhuysen team at the VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology, Belgium) and Dr. An-Sofie Schoonjans (Pediatric Neurology Department UZA) are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to work on clinical data analyses and multi-omics approaches in the rare genetic neurodevelopmental syndrome, STXBP1-related disorder (STXBP1-RD). Dr. Stamberger and Dr. Schoonjans are adult and pediatric neurologist respectively with a clinical focus on epilepsy and research focus on rare genetic epilepsy and neurodevelopmental syndromes. Dr. Stamberger is part of the Weckhuysen team which performs leading edge research in gene discovery in epilepsy syndromes using different omics approaches such as short and long-read sequencing and transcriptomics, and iPSC-based disease modeling to better understand the genetic etiologies of intractable epilepsy. The team is part of the European STXBP1 consortium.
Position/project
STXBP1-RD is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder caused by disease causing variants in the STXBP1 gene, which plays a crucial role in neurotransmission. The disorder is characterized by epilepsy, developmental delay leading to significant psychomotor impairments, movement disorders, and behavioral challenges. The clinical presentation of STXBP1-RD is highly variable, and there is currently no established genotype-phenotype correlation. Although there is no cure for this severe condition, several promising disease-modifying therapies may enter clinical trials in the coming years. To support these future trials, the European STXBP1 Consortium has initiated a European, multicenter, STXBP1 registry and natural history study. This PhD project will primarily focus on analyzing the data collected from this study. The 2nd focus of this PhD project will be a search for genetic modifiers in STXBP1-RD to explain the observed phenotypic variability.
Profile
We seek a highly motivated, enthusiastic, critical, and creative individual to join our team. The candidate should have a strong interest in clinical epilepsy/neurology research ànd be open to acquire novel skills in bioinformatics, biostatistics, and genetics.
Essential:
- Master’s in medicine, biomedical sciences, bioinformatics/biostatistics, related disciplines or equivalent through experience.
- Comfortable in contact with patients/families and able to adapt way of working to the research population of this study, especially children and adults with intellectual and motor disability and their caregivers.
- Proficient in verbal and written English and Dutch, preferably also French.
- Ability to summarize data extracted from literature and to define research objectives.
- Passion for science, self-motivation, flexibility, and team spirit
Desirable but not required:
- Experience with clinical trials
- Experience with data analysis
- Experience with RedCAP
What we offer
- We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of one year. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed for another 3 years.
- The planned start date is as soon as possible.
- 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 and UZA in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
- Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.
- A versatile and challenging job in a vibrant and world-class research environment operating at an international level
- Participation in a large European collaboration
- State-of-the-art research facilities
- A dedicated training program to broaden your expertise and enhance your skill set
- A doctoral scholarship for a period of one year, with the possibility of renewal for a further three-year period after positive evaluations.
- During the doctoral scholarship, you will be asked to submit and defend an innovative project at the FWO (www.fwo.be) to obtain a personal fellowship. Please do check eligibility criteria prior to applying for this position.
Want to apply?
- You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including May 5th 2025 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:
- a detailed CV incl. a list of previous experience
- a letter of motivation explaining why you are interested in our work and aspire this PhD position
- the names and contact details of 3 references
- The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you.
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 [email protected] or [email protected].
For more information about our research center https://weckhuysenlab.sites.vib.be/en
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.
