PhD student Lipid transfer and communication in neurodegenerative diseases

Background
The faculty of medicine and life sciences contributes to sustainable solutions for health-related issues as part of the civic Hasselt University. The faculty focusses on excellence in education and research and connects with society through a strong collaboration with our partners. Starting from continuous attention for quality and innovation, the faculty is a breeding ground and magnet for talent with an open view on society, from the region to the world.

The Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED) at Hasselt University is a highly interactive and well-equipped multidisciplinary institute where both fundamental and applied research is performed to better understand the disease processes of (auto)immune, neurological and cardiac disorders (www.uhasselt.be/biomed/en).

Within this stimulating environment, we are looking for an enthusiastic PhD candidate to strengthen our team.

This position is part of the LipiBgMarie Sk∤odowska-Curie Doctoral Network (DN) funded by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme. The network comprises beneficiaries and associated partners across Europe, offering to train a new generation of researchers through interdisciplinary research, international mobility, and intersectoral collaboration

Job content
Are you passionate about neuroimmunology, metabolism, and making a real impact in brain disease research? Join our dynamic and interdisciplinary team as a PhD student and help uncover how lipid metabolism shapes inflammation and repair processes in the central nervous system (CNS).
Lipid metabolism is crucial for regulating immune cell function and promoting brain repair. Dysregulation of these metabolic pathways plays a key role in diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In our research group, we aim to understand how metabolic signals drive neuroinflammation and tissue regeneration — with the ultimate goal of developing innovative nutritional and pharmaceutical interventions.
This project focuses on the transfer of lipids to the CNS and how these lipids modulate immune responses and restore myelin integrity the brain. Using this knowledge, we aim to boost the transport of repair promoting lipids to the CNS to restore brain function in MS and AD.
What You’ll Do:

• Investigate various transport routes of lipids to the CNS and how they are affected in brain diseases
• Identify lipids that enhance tissue repair
• Work with cutting-edge technologies including:
  • Lipidomics and lipid imaging
  • (Single-cell) RNA sequencing
  • High-resolution imaging
  • Multicolor flow cytometry
  • Advanced molecular and metabolic assays
• Utilize a broad range of model systems, including patient-derived cells, ex vivo brain slices, and in vivo animal models

• Access to institutional training courses and facilities
• Participation in research group activities and seminars
• transferable skills workshops
• International research workshops and summer schools
• Mandatory secondments
• Access to state-of-the-art research facilities
• International and interdisciplinary research environment

Profile

• You have completed or are about to complete a Master in biomedical sciences, biotechnology, bio-engineering, biochemistry, biology, neurosciences, or an equivalent specialization. Graduating students are also encouraged to apply.
  Final-year students are (likewise) encouraged to apply.

• Applicants must comply with the eligibility conditions for DCs funded by Marie Sk∤odowska-Curie Actions:
  No PhD awarded: applicants must not hold a doctoral degree on the date of recruitment.
  Mobility rule: applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Belgium for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately preceding the recruitment date.
  Note: Compulsory national service, short stays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining
  refugee status under the Geneva Convention are NOT taken into account.
  Doctoral enrolment: applicants must be eligible to enrol in the PhD programme at Hasselt University.
  

• Nationality: Researchers of any nationality are eligible to apply. However, candidates must have an excellent command of English, both written and spoken, at least at the B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

  You achieved good academic results, and/or you can show relevant academic output (e.g. publications, mobility).
• You have a strong interest in metabolism, neuroimmunology, and translational research. 
• You have demonstrable experience (e.g. by internships) in executing biomedical research.
• Willingness to work across disciplines and collaborate with international research teams.
• Experience with brain or immune research, lipid metabolism or bioinformatics is a plus.
• You exhibit excellent communication skills, and you master the English language, both orally and in writing.
• You work in a goal-oriented and flexible way. You are able to efficiently plan your work, allowing you to achieve challenging, yet feasible goals, and you adjust your planning if necessary.
• You actively contribute to a positive working environment, you are a team player, and you enjoy making connections between different research groups.

Offer
You will be appointed and paid as PhD student.
Type: Full-time employment contract
Duration: 36 months (under MSCA) + 12 months (under UHasselt)

Salary: According to the MSCA regulations:
●           Living allowance (adjusted by the country correction coefficient = 1 for BE)
●           Mobility allowance
●           Family allowance (if applicable)

The gross salary will include full social security coverage, pension, health insurance, rates, and contributions as per Belgian employment regulations.

Selection procedure
You can only apply online up to and including 14 August 2026.
The selection procedure consists of a preselection based on application file and an interview.
Applications must be submitted via “link below" and include: ● Motivation letter (max 2 pages): clearly stating your motivation for this specific position, how your background aligns with the project objectives, and your career aspirations ● CV (including publication list, if any) ● Bachelor’s and Master’s degree certificates and grade transcripts with an explanation of the grading system ● Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge English certificate, or equivalent). Alternatively, applicants may provide a certificate from their previous institution confirming that their degree programme was in English. ● Two reference letters from academic supervisors or employers, including contact details of referees ● Self-declaration confirming MSCA eligibility criteria

Further information
Prof. dr. Jerome HENDRIKS, +32-11-269207, [email protected]

For questions about the selection procedure, please email [email protected].