At the Biomimetics group (https://www.linkedin.com/company/biomimetics-kul/) we want to recreate, at different levels of complexity, biology from scratch, with the aim to develop novel biomedical applications. Our focus is in replicating micro- and nano-biologically relevant systems, such as cell-like structures and components and complex biophysiological micro-environments. To do so, we draw upon expertise in miniaturisation techniques and their associated screening methods.
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Project
Cells are key components in many therapeutic interventions. From more commonplace erythrocytes (which are used worldwide every day to save thousands of lives) to novel stem cell-based and genetically modified lymphocyte-based therapies (such as CART-T cells, which have provided revolutionary treatments for incurable cancers), cell-based therapies have a great impact on current medical practice.
Reproducing the therapeutic effects of CAR T cells in synthetic, functional facsimiles that are safer and more inexpensive to produce and handle, could allow to circumvent many of the current technological limitations that hinder a more wide-spread applicability of these therapies. By developing new methodologies in a multidisciplinary approach, we intend to build "artificial CAR T cells" that are tolerated by the immune system and present cancer cell-killing capacity in vivo upon recognition of tumor cell antigens.
Key tasks involve:
- Develop novel protocols for the synthesis and functionalization of advanced nanoparticles for production and disassembly of pickering emulsions.
- Apply advanced analytical techniques for the characterization of nanoparticles and nanostructures.
- Adapt adequate protocols to robustly construct lipid bilayer environments with biologically relevant characteristics (i.e. lipid asymmetry and complex composition).
- Develop adequate membrane insertion protocols for a diversity of biomolecular complexes, focusing on specific systems of the inner (intracellular signaling) and outer (cytotoxic T cell receptors and ligands) membrane.
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Are you an energetic person, able to both think critically and creatively in scientific terms while also being effective at resolving technical challenges? Are you keen on working at the crossroads of several disciplines (from nanotechnology to biomedicine)? Then you may be the perfect scientist to join our team.
The ideal candidate will possess the following skillset:
- Prior involvement in the synthesis and functionalization of nanoparticles.
- Production of lipid-bilayer membrane systems and their characterization.
- Familiarity with analytical techniques for experimental characterization of nanoparticles and/or nanostructure assemblies (superresolution microscopy, SEM, (cryo)TEM, DLS)..
- Candidates should have graduated in the fields of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Nanotechnology, Nanomedicine or any other relevant discipline with outstanding grades.
- Language skills: ENGLISH: Excellent; DUTCH: of advantage for the interaction within the University, however not required.
- Candidates have to be hard working, enthusiastic and intelligent with a strong interest in understanding the fundamentals mechanisms of physicochemical interactions between nanoparticles and biomolecules.
- A talent for conceiving advanced experimental set-ups and realize them in a time-efficient manner.
- Enthusiasm and commitment for doing research in a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative environment with ability to work both independently and in a team.
Important: postdoc candidates with a strong fit for the position who have not been engaged in a principal activity (work, studies, etc.) in Belgium for more than 24 months in the last 3 years are strongly encouraged to apply.
Offer
- We offer a full-time PhD or postdoctoral position for 2 years. After a positive evaluation, and depending on the availability of funds, the contract can be extended to 2 additional years (4 years in total).
- Excellent guidance by our young, dynamic and multidisciplinary team.
- State of the art research infrastructure.
- A challenging job in a young, dynamic environment.
- High level scientific training at a top-ranked university.
- Being part of world-class research groups working on a high visibility European Project.
- Remuneration according to the KU Leuven salary scales: https://www.kuleuven.be/english/research/associatienet/postdoc.
Interested?
Applicants should add the following documents to their application: CV, motivation letter, MSc and BSc degree certificates (as well as transcripts of grades) and, if available, letter(s) of recommendation from previous employers/supervisors.
We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible: applications will be screened continuously until an ideal candidate is identified, in which case the position will be filled before the deadline.
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Xevi Casadevall i Solvas, tel.: +32 16 37 71 03, mail: xevi.casadevall@kuleuven.be or Mr. Hojjat Alizadeh Zeinabad, tel.: +32 16 37 65 89, mail: hojjat.alizadehzeinabad@kuleuven.be.
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