项目介绍

2024年6月2日

The GET-IN network is built around a community of leading experts and will train 10 doctoral candidates (DCs) as the next generation of gene therapy innovators and research leaders both in academia and industry. The network is international, multidisciplinary and multisectoral consisting of 7 academic and 8 non-academic partners in 6 EU countries (Belgium-The Netherlands-Germany-France-Italy-Greece).

Website van de eenheid

Project

GET-IN is a doctoral training network in the field of gene therapy that will address several challenges in today’s Advanced Therapy Medical Product (ATMP) field through game changing innovations. The joint training programme will ignite responsible, cooperative research and innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship to maximize the carrer potential of the DCs, including international mobility and intersectorial secondments.
We are looking for highly motivated candidates for the DC1 position.

The DC1 project focusses on the bioprocessing of viral vectors.  The position is hosted by the KU Leuven and Antleron NV. Specific objectives are: (1) to understand and improve the efficiency of viral vector production per cell by assessing innate immunity factors during plasmid transfection and viral vector production in 2D tissue culture plates, and (2) to advance the production environment by improving bioreactor cell yield and transfection efficiency through the design of innovative hardware set-ups and computational process modelling (2D to 4D translation). The objectives will be addressed for two main gene therapy vector platforms. The project involves wet lab experimental work, ranging from viral vector production, cell transfection and transduction, molecular biology, as well as in silico bio-process modelling and bio-informatics.

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A successful project will result in: (1) next generation HEK293 producer lines for viral vectors based on adapted innate immune pathways ; (2) improved and closed manufacturing system for cost-effective and scalable viral vector production.

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Enrolment in Doctoral School: KU Leuven
 

Planned secondments:

• Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece (Month 14-15): Modelling of the manufacturing processesEberhard Karls Universitaet Tuebingen, Germany (Months 26-27): Introduction to Organ on Chip models and testing of viral vectors in these systems
• Miltenyi Biotech GmBH, Germany (Month 38): Introduction to working in GMP environments

Profiel

We welcome applicants of any nationality and background, provided that they fulfill the following specific requirements: 

• Applicants hold a MSc or equivalent degree in a subject specified in the description of the individual PhD projects.
• Applications do not hold a PhD degree or have successfully defended their PhD.
• Applicants have the necessary academic skills and background to make the success of a doctoral degree. The skills needed will depend on the project chosen.
• Applicants did not reside or carry out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the host organisation (here KULeuven Leuven, Belgium) for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays,and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status are not considered (mobility rule).
• Applicants must fulfill the local requirements and must be eligible to enroll the PhD program at the host institution.
• Applicants demonstrate high level of proficiency in written and spoken English, which will be assessed with the motivation letter and the interview, respectively.

Aanbod

The selected candidates will receive an attractive salary in accordance with the MSCA regulations for Doctoral Researchers. The exact (net) salary will be confirmed upon appointment and is dependent on local tax regulations and onthe country correction factor (to allow for the difference in cost of living indifferent EU Member States). The salary includes a living allowance, a mobility allowance, and a family allowance (if applicable). The guaranteed PhD fundingis for 36 months (i.e., EC funding, additional funding is possible, dependingon the local Supervisor, and in accordance with the regular PhD time in the country of origin).

GET-IN project webpage

Interesse

Meer informatie is te verkrijgen bij prof. dr. Rik Gijsbers, tel.: +32 16 37 48 41, mail: rik.gijsbers@kuleuven.be.Solliciteren voor deze vacature kan tot en met 30/06/2024 via onze online sollicitatietoepassing

KU Leuven wil een inclusieve, respectvolle en sociaal veilige gemeenschap zijn. Wij omarmen diversiteit tussen individuen en groepen als een meerwaarde. Open dialoog en verschillen in perspectief zijn noodzakelijk in een ambitieuze onderzoeks- en onderwijsomgeving. In ons streven naar gelijke kansen erkennen wij de gevolgen van historische ongelijkheden. Wij aanvaarden geen enkele vorm van discriminatie op basis van, onder meer, geslacht, genderidentiteit en -expressie, seksuele oriëntatie, leeftijd, etnische of nationale afkomst, huidskleur, levensbeschouwelijke overtuiging, neurodivergentie, arbeidshandicap, gezondheid, of socio-economische status. Bij vragen over toegankelijkheid of aangeboden ondersteuning helpen we je graag op dit e-mailadres.

• Sollicitatieprocedure
• Arbeidsvoorwaarden
• Loopbaanmogelijkheden

Heb je een vraag over de online sollicitatieprocedure? Raadpleeg onze veelgestelde vragen of stuur een e-mail naar solliciteren@kuleuven.be