Senior academic staff in the area of neuroimmunology of the gut-brain axis

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The VIB CMN for Molecular Neurology (VIB CMN) and the Department of Biomedical Sciences of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinarian Sciences has following part-time (10%) vacancy: Senior academic staff in the area of Neuroimmunology of the gut-brain axis

The VIB CMN is one of nine research centers of the VIB. In VIB CMN, approximately 100 scientists work in the domain of complex neurological diseases of both the central and peripheral nervous system (https://uantwerpen.vib.be/). The VIB CMN has a Neuromics support facility focused on state-of-the-art high-throughput genomic analyses, bioinformatic support and histological analyses. The University also has supporting central facilities amongst others for biomedical imaging and proteomics.

Position

As a member of the Senior Academic Staff (Dutch: Zelfstandig Academisch Personeel, ZAP), you will contribute to the University of Antwerp’s three core tasks: education, research and services. Your role may also include organizational and managerial aspects.

Education

• You will provide high-quality education in the areas of cellular and molecular neuroscience as well as neuroimmunology.
• Your limited teaching role will evolve along with the Biomedical Sciences and/or Biochemistry and Biotechnology Study Programs.
• You will play a role in developing activating, student-centred and competence-driven programme components and study programmes.
• You will supervise students with their bachelor and master dissertations.

Research

• You will expand high-quality scientific research with a focus on exploring the interactions between the enteric and central nervous system and the immune system.
• You will pioneer new methods or models for investigating the neuroimmune mechanisms that underlie disease, specifically those diseases where the gut-brain circuit plays a role in pathology.
• You will initiate new lines of research and coordinate the progress of scientific research projects. You will also participate in ongoing research programmes.
• You will acquire and manage national and international research funding.
• You will publish in international top-tier journals.
• You will develop an international scientific network.
• You will supervise bachelor, master and PhD students.

Services

• You will play a role in the provision of both academic services and service to society, within the institution and externally. You will participate in student recruitment, boards and committees, popular science communication, among others.

Organization and leadership

• You act as a key leader in multidisciplinary collaborations inside and outside the VIB and the university.
• You will offer scientific services: among others you provide scientific advice and provide scientific advice and expertise in the field of neuroimmunology of the gut-brain axis to other research groups in the VIB and at the university.
• Your leadership style will be motivating and coaching. You will be attentive to your employees’ growth and development processes.

Profile

• You hold a PhD in Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry or Neuroimmunology.
• You have a minimum of 6 years of research experience in the design and analysis of cell and animal studies in the field of neuroscience, neuroimmunology and neurodegenerative brain diseases and a strong publication record.
• You have extensive knowledge in both computer-based analysis as well as the application and development of wet-lab methodologies.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision. You are motivated to develop your teaching skills further through the professionalisation opportunities available.
• If you do not speak Dutch, the administrative language of the university, you must obtain a CEFR B2 level of proficiency in Dutch. As soon as you take on teaching duties as a programme component coordinator, you should be able to demonstrate a CEFR C1 level of proficiency in the language of instruction. The University of Antwerp supports international staff members through an integration trajectory and offers tailor-made language coaching in compliance with Flanders’ statutory language regulations.
• You demonstrate leadership potential and organizational skills.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.

What we offer

• We offer a part-time appointment as a member of the Senior Academic Staff for a period of 3 years. Following a positive evaluation, the appointment can be renewed. The level of your appointment (lecturer, senior lecturer, professor or full professor) is determined on the basis of your professional experience and academic qualifications.
• Your gross monthly salary is calculated according to the pay scales for Senior Academic Staff (ZAP) and calculated proportionally on the basis of your employment percentage.
•  You will receive ecocheques and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• The planned start date is January 1^st 2025 or as soon as possible after that date.
• You will do your work at Campus Drie Eiken in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here and discover all the other benefits.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 9 December 2024 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on 'apply', complete the online application form.
  Be sure to include the following attachments:
  • your motivation letter
  • the completed job application appendix for ZAP
  • your academic CV
• The selection committee will review all of the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Rosa Rademakers, PhD, Scientific Director VIB CMN, rosa.rademakers@uantwerpen.be.

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.