项目介绍

2026年5月2日

The Allergy and Clinical Immunology Research Group is a dynamic, clinical-translational research unit within the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation (Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven), closely linked to UZ Leuven. Our aim is to translate immunological insights directly into improved diagnostics and treatment for patients with allergies and immunological disorders.
The group conducts multidisciplinary research into food, drug and insect venom allergies, mastocytosis and mechanisms of immunological tolerance. We work with unique patient cohorts, innovative laboratory techniques and a strong clinical foundation.

Project

As part of the IMPrOVeIT project (Improving Occupational Venom ImmunoTherapy), our research group is looking for a motivated PhD student to conduct research into occupational insect venom allergy, with a particular focus on bumblebee venom. This project is being carried out in close collaboration with Biobest, an international leader in the field of biological pollination.Insect stings from bees and wasps are a daily reality for many people – usually harmless, but sometimes potentially life-threatening. Immunotherapy with insect venom is currently the only proven treatment capable of preventing severe allergic reactions. However, the optimal duration, frequency and reliable biomarkers for predicting therapeutic response and long-term tolerance remain unclear.Bumblebees can also sting and cause severe reactions, although this is much rarer and usually occurs in an occupational context. Diagnostic options for bumblebee venom allergy are currently limited, and knowledge regarding immunotherapy with bumblebee venom is still scarce. However, UZ Leuven is monitoring the world’s largest cohort of patients with bumblebee venom allergy, which offers unique research opportunities.Within this project, occupational groups that come into frequent contact with bees, wasps and bumblebees – including Biobest employees – will be monitored longitudinally. The project combines clinical data collection, immunological characterisation and biomarker research to identify determinants of treatment response and long-term tolerance.This PhD offers a unique opportunity to be part of translational research with direct clinical impact and to make a scientific contribution to safer, more personalised care for people with occupational insect venom allergy.
Your role: in this project: 

• You will help set up and monitor clinical cohorts and databases.
• You will collect and analyse clinical data from patients and workers. 
• You will coordinate sample collection and biobanking and contribute to existing (including specific IgE, recombinant research, skin tests, basophil activation tests) and new immunological analyses, diagnostics and techniques. 
• You will present results at meetings and conferences and contribute to publications.

Profile

• You hold a Master’s degree in medicine, biomedical or pharmaceutical sciences, bioengineering, veterinary medicine or a related field (with at least one distinction). 
• You have a background in, or a strong interest in, allergology, clinical immunology and clinical-scientific research and/or immunological laboratory techniques. 
• You are meticulous, analytical and organised, yet also flexible and results-oriented. You are determined. 
• You are a team-oriented researcher with good communication and interpersonal skills and a proactive attitude. You are able to work both independently and as part of a team. 
• You have a good command of Dutch and English, both spoken and written.
• You hold a Category B driving licence or are willing to obtain one to enable you to travel to research partner sites.

Offer

• A full-time fixed-term contract of 1 year, renewable for up to a maximum of 4 years, to obtain a PhD.
• A dynamic and robust clinical-translational research environment with access to unique (occupational) patient cohorts (bumblebee breeders, wasp exterminators, beekeepers) and state-of-the-art biomarker platforms, in close collaboration with clinicians and researchers. 
• Intensive supervision by experienced clinical and translational researchers.
• Ample opportunities for training, conference attendance, international collaboration and professional development.
• A meaningful role in research that makes clinical care safer and more personalised.
• Start date: between 1 July 2026 and 1 September 2026 (negotiable).

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Christine Breynaert, mail: christine.breynaert@kuleuven.be.