Postdoctoral Scientist to Support Mpox Outbreak Research in Africa and Europe

Introduction

The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Antwerp is a leading independent academic centre for research and innovation, education, and clinical services in public health, global health and tropical medicine. Founded in 1906, ITM’s research today focuses on Disease Prevention, Control and Elimination, Emerging Infections and Outbreaks, and Sustainable and Equitable Health Systems, with antimicrobial resistance embedded across all research themes.

One of ITM’s key areas of expertise is mpox. Since 2020, the research group of Laurens Liesenborghs has been studying the virus and its clinical and epidemiological impact. In close partnership with Congolese and international collaborators, the group launched a large research program on mpox transmission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): the Mpox Biology, Outcome, Transmission and Epidemiology (MBOTE) Project (Mbote means “hello” in Lingala, one of the local languages in the DRC) (www.mbote-mpox.com).

The MBOTE consortium has led several studies on the epidemiology, clinical presentation, prevention, and treatment of mpox in both Europe and Africa. A major milestone was the discovery and characterization of the novel Clade Ib variant in the DRC, which drove the 2024 global mpox outbreak. In parallel, the group has initiated multiple studies on mpox in Belgium, contributing to a broader understanding of the disease across different settings.

We are now looking for a postdoctoral researcher to strengthen the team and support ongoing mpox studies in Africa and Europe. Outbreak research is inherently dynamic: epidemics evolve rapidly, often emerging in remote or resource-limited settings. Working in these environments requires both scientific rigor, flexibility and strong organizational skills. We therefore seek a motivated individual with a solid scientific background, adaptability, and a hands-on, problem-solving mindset.

Your main responsibilities:

·       Contributing to grant writing and the development of new research projects within the group.

·       Designing and conducting epidemiological and clinical studies on mpox in collaboration with international partners.

·       Analyzing and interpreting clinical and epidemiological data from ongoing cohort studies and outbreak investigations.

·       Coordinating research activities in Belgium and, with support of collaborating institutions, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other partner sites.

·       Supporting outbreak investigations and field research, including occasional travel to study sites when needed.

·       Leading and contributing to scientific publications, conference presentations, and research reports.

·       Supervising junior researchers, PhD, master, students, or research assistants involved in the project.

·       Gradually developing an independent research portfolio aligned with the group’s research priorities and global health objectives.

Required qualifications and key competencies:

·       You hold a PhD in medicine, biomedical sciences, epidemiology, public health, applied biostatistics, or a related discipline.

·       Demonstrated experience in clinical research, epidemiology, or infectious disease research.

·       Strong data analysis skills (e.g., R, Stata, Python, or similar statistical software).

·       Proven ability to publish scientific work in peer-reviewed journals.

·       Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

·       Good oral communication skills in French, enabling effective interaction and collaboration with partners in francophone settings.

·       Strong cross-cultural competencies and ability to work effectively in international research collaborations.

·       Ability to work independently as well as in multidisciplinary and international teams.

·       Willingness to travel and participate in field research in low-resource settings, including sub-Saharan Africa.

·       Flexible, pragmatic, and solution-oriented, with the ability to work under time pressure and manage complex or challenging situations.

·       Experience with grant writing and research funding applications.

We offer you:

·       An exciting position at the forefront of mpox research, contributing to work with clear public health impact.

·       Opportunities for field research and international collaboration.

·       A stimulating interdisciplinary global research environment.

·       Support for scientific career development.

·       A full-time contract of 2 years, renewable.  Renewal is not guaranteed and will depend on the availability of funding.

·       Starting date: as soon as possible.

·       A salary set according to the pay scales of ITM and to your work experience, with some supplementary benefits, such as a private scheme and meal voucher subscription.

·       Immigration and relocation assistance, if applicable.

·       We are a collaborative team and value collegiality, openness, and mutual respect among us and with our partners