Professor in Tropical Medicine

Introduction

The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Antwerp aims at the advancement and spread of science that contributes to infectious disease medicine and to public health globally, with focus on low- and middle income countries, inclusive of their global dimensions. ITM provides fundamental, translational and applied scientific research, delivers advanced education and provides medical, scientific and societal expert services. The ITM is an open and international campus where staff, students and researchers work on new international health challenges.

ITM’s Department of Clinical Sciences strives for optimal diagnosis, treatment and prevention of tropical and globalized infectious diseases. The department has long-standing well-recognised expertise in clinical decision-making of complex syndromes and tropical and epidemic-prone infections in resource-limited settings, and in the conduct of clinical trials of treatments, vaccines, and diagnostics, supported by the ITM Clinical Trials Unit, and a newly established Clinical Trials Centre. We host the national reference laboratory for the diagnosis of tropical infections in Belgium (malaria and other parasites, arboviruses and viral haemorrhagic fever) as well as reference laboratories for HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections. The ITM clinic sees over 20,000 travellers a year, and also conducts outstanding research in the field of Travel and Tropical Medicine.

The academic Unit of Tropical Medicine in the Department of Clinical Sciences is involved in education, reference medical services and research on tropical diseases. The research portfolio cover studies in Belgium/Europe and beyond, in collaboration with global networks of travel clinics and tropical institutes, such as GeoSentinel, TropNet or Leishman, and in resource-constrained settings in the Global South trough long-standing scientific partnerships with more than 20 research institutions. There are currently two main research tracks in the Unit, consisting of (1) malaria and (non-malaria) febrile illness and (2) parasitic diseases (helminths, protozoa, …), within a One Health approach. In both tracks, clinical decision-making is a cross-cutting theme. There is strong collaboration with other academic units within the Department of Clinical Sciences, and with the Departments of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health.

To strengthen the academic Unit of Tropical Medicine as a core component of ITM, and in anticipation of the retirement of the current Professor/Head of Unit in 2029, the department is opening up a second position of Professor in Tropical Medicine.

Your role:

•         Expand the current research lines on Tropical Medicine within Belgium, Europe and the Global South.

•         Develop novel research ideas complementing the current research portfolio.

•        Acquire competitive funding and build up high impact research, international reputation and visibility.

•         Collaborate with other units in the Department of Clinical Sciences and with researchers across ITM to develop synergistic research lines on tropical diseases.

•         Participate in the medical services at the outpatient travel clinic of ITM and contribute to expert advice for the inpatient service of Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases at UZA.

•         Play a national and international reference role in the field of Tropical Medicine.

•         Provide expert advice to national and international bodies/stakeholders in the field of Tropical Medicine.

•         Contribute to educational activities and hands-on training in the field of Tropical Medicine at postgraduate, Master and PhD level, as well as in specialized short courses at ITM.

•         Enhance the scientific capacity building activities and partnerships in Africa, South America and/or Asia.

•         Coach team members of the Unit and co-execute line management duties within the Unit.

•         Promote the strategic vision of the department and institutional policy development, and contribute to relevant ITM committees.  

Profile & Requirements:

•         Physician specialized in infectious diseases and trained in Tropical Medicine, with PhD degree.  

•         Certified to practice in Belgium, or able to have this arranged in the short term (for foreign applicants).

•         A strong academic track record of grant writing, project management and scientific output in the field of Tropical Medicine.

•         Substantial experience working in or with partners in resource-constrained settings.

•         Passionate about and experienced in teaching, including supervision of students.

•         You provide clear direction, inspire your colleagues, and are someone others readily turn to for guidance and effective communication.

•         Management experience, particularly in professional or scientific associations, is considered a valuable asset.

•         Fluency in Dutch and English are key for scientific reference in Belgium and clinical activities at ITM; willingness to rapidly learn French is required.

•         Quality-oriented, with team-focused emphatic personality.

The Institute of Tropical Medicine is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive institute. We strive for excellence and relevance, integrity, sustainability and persistence and fairness. Your assignment contributes to our mission. We value human dignity and diversity, academic creativity and a critical spirit, solidarity and cooperation, and the well-being of employees, students, patients and clients.

•         A full-time appointment. Depending on your record and qualifications, you will be appointed to or tenured in one of the grades of the senior academic staff: assistant professor, associate professor, professor or full professor.

•         A salary package depending on your profile and professional experience, and supplementary benefits, such as private pension scheme, meal voucher subscription and reimbursement of transport. For candidates eligible for expat status under Belgian fiscal law, relocation, cost of living and other allowances can apply.

•         An attractive research starting package, including coaching and training.

•         A strong research environment conducive to high-level research (existing national and international research lines & network, Clinical Trials Unit and Center; high volume travel clinic).

•         A collegial research environment and mentorship with attention to work-life balance and individual growth and development.

•         An immigration and relocation assistance package. We explicitly welcome candidates from Low and Middle Income Countries.