More than 480 staff members at the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) contribute every day to improving the health of millions of people worldwide. Our researchers conduct more than 200 scientific projects in the fields of tropical medicine and international health. Our teaching staff welcomes more than 500 professionals from around the world each academic year to attend our highly regarded medical courses. Tens of thousands of travel and STD consultations take place in our clinic each year, and our internationally recognized reference laboratories examine many hundreds of thousands of samples. There is only one way we can accomplish these very diverse tasks: thanks to a great passion for our mission.

The Department of Clinical Sciences within ITM strives for optimal diagnostics and treatment of tropical and globalized infectious diseases with the aim to promote the health of the individual patient. The department has an important expertise in dealing with epidemics and clinical trials, supported by a dedicated clinical trials unit. Various types of clinical studies (vaccine, diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic) are being conducted in different continents. Here, the Clinical Immunology Unit conducts patient immunosurveillance studies on several neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and newly or (re-)emerging diseases, relating to biomarker discovery, immunodiagnostics, immunotherapy, and vaccine development or evaluation.

In particular, we are looking for a motivated junior researcher willing to pursue a PhD trajectory in skin immunology after rabies vaccination.

Assignment

• You will assist in the set-up and coordination of a clinical trial on rabies vaccination at ITM, in close collaboration with ITM’s clinical trial center and unit.

• You will perform all the day-to-day blood and skin immunological assays of the above in our laboratory

• You will regularly present your findings and participate in unit and departmental meetings

• You will develop Standard Operating Procedures and laboratory guidelines

• You will write high quality scientific papers

• You will develop and compete for an individual PhD fellowship (e.g. FWO)

• You will work closely with a post-doctoral scientist and report to the head of the Clinical Immunology Unit

Profile

• You have a Msc degree in the field of (bio)medical sciences or other related life sciences.

• Previous working experience is considered as asset, but not a must if you can show good Bsc/Msc grades.

• Affinity with good clinical (laboratory) practices is considered a strong asset.

• You have a good background in cellular immunity assays (e.g. PBMC isolation, flow cytometry, ELISpot) or are willing to further expand your knowledge.

• You are independent and you have good organizational skills.

• You are a team-focused emphatic personality with good communication skills

• You are passionate to work in a laboratory and to continue in a PhD trajectory

• Coaching and/or training skills are a plus.

• You speak and write Dutch, French and English fluently.

• You have good analytical and scientific writing skills.

Your assignment contributes to the socially relevant mission of the ITM. The ITM is located in the middle of the vibrant city of Antwerp and is easily accessible by public transport.

We offer you

• A full-time contract of 1 year with starting date between 1st of August and 31st of September 2023.

• A salary taking account of your work experience including benefits such as meal vouchers and additional pension.

• A pleasant working atmosphere with attention to work-life balance and individual growth and development.

• Relevant trainings