项目介绍

2025年1月18日

The current PhD position is available for a highly motivated candidate to work within the research group of Prof. Olivier De Wever. The main aim of the PhD project is to address the fidelity of tumor models in cancer research. In this regard, the PhD student will apply state-of-the-art technologies to analyze the behaviour and therapy response of tumor models including the composition and characteristics of cancer cells and tumor microenvironment elements such as cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) and immune cells.
Tumor models include the use of three-dimensional cell aggregates (also named spheroids) (Peirsman&Blondeel et al. Nature Methods 2021), patient-derived tumor fragments (Vermeulen et al. Sci Rep 2024) and patient-derived orthotopic xenograft mouse models (Fischer et al. Clin Trans Med 2023). Patient-derived models are obtained from surplus tissues in full collaboration with our clinical partners. A living biobank of cancer cell cultures (https://www.crig.ugent.be/en/ghent-living-biobank-sarcoma-glb-s), CAF (Tommelein et al. Cancer Res 2018; Xia et al. Clin Trans Med 2024) and immune cells (Steenbrugge&Dejaeghere et al. Cancer Res 2021) is available to reconstitute the TME using heterocellular spheroids (DeJaeghere&Devlieghere et al. Biomaterials 2018). The De Wever lab is expert in the extensive evaluation of the impact of experimental parameters in tumor models (Peirsman&Blondeel et al. Nature Methods 2021; Fischer et al. STAR protocols 2024; DeThaye et al. Sci Rep 2020). This supporting ecosystem has steered the De Wever lab towards a leading position in the set-up and detailed evaluation of a diverse complementary set of tumor models.
You will work in very close interaction with partners from Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG, Ghent), Flemish Institute for Biotechnology (VIB, Ghent) as well as (inter)national collaborating teams to enable multidisciplinary investigations.

We offer you:

• We offer a full-time position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which – after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a total maximum of 48 months.
• Your contract will start on 01/10/2025 at the latest.
• The fellowship amount is 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The individual fellowship amount is determined by Team Personnel Administration based on family status and seniority. A grant that meets the conditions and criteria of the regulations for doctoral fellowships is considered free of personal income tax. Click here for more information about our salary scales
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.
• Participate in an exciting and rapidly evolving new research area within a multidisciplinary environment that operates at international level and are equipped with state-of-the-art technologies.
• Become member of an integrated research platform connecting young, dynamic and enthusiastic researchers with great team spirit.

Job profile

• You hold a Master degree in Bioscience engineering, Biochemistry & Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences or equivalent, completed before the start date of the position, with excellent grades at a recognized university.
• Holding a FELASA B/C degree or equivalent degree accreditation for animal experimentation is a plus.
• You have excellent English communication skills (both oral and written).
• You have a keen interest in tumor modeling, (single-cell) omic bioinformatics, functional assays.
• You are highly motivated and can plan and conduct research accurately.
• You can function well independently as well as in a team.
• You can take initiative and have a hands-on mentality, perseverance and critical mind.
• You are motivated towards applying for future competitive PhD grants (e.g. FWO).

How to apply

If you are interested, please send the necessary documents to prof. dr. Olivier De Wever (olivier.dewever@ugent.be). Vacancy remains open until a talented candidate has been successfully recruited.

Necessary documents (in 1 pdf max 10 Mb):

• CV: your CV and an overview of your study results (merged into one pdf file)
• Cover letter (1 page): your application letter in pdf format
• A copy of your study results
• Support letters and contact details of two references

For more information, please contact prof. dr. Olivier De Wever by e-mail.

As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.