Senior researcher corneal endothelial tissue engineering

Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape. 

The Department of Translational Neurosciences in the Faculty of Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences is looking for a full-time (100%) senior researcher in the field of corneal endothelial tissue engineering.

We are seeking a dynamic and motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our team in a unique and challenging role focused on the translation of a biosynthetic corneal endothelium from bench to bedside (have a look at this article that defines the field). This position is geared towards individuals with a strong translational mindset to bring this cutting-edge therapy to the patient. This project is funded by Regmed XB (https://regmedxb.com/moonshots/eye-moonshot-cornea), a public-private partnership dedicated to bringing regenerative medicine solutions to patients. The Cornea Moonshot is a multi-university consortium including Ghent University, the University Hospital of Brussels, Maastricht University and Leiden University.

Position

• Therapeutic translation of a corneal endothelial transplant:
  • Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams from other universities to translate research findings into practical therapeutic applications.
  • Design and execute experiments to validate the efficacy and safety of potential therapies for clinical use.
  • Implement strategies for scaling up production processes, ensuring a seamless transition from the laboratory to clinical trials.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, backed by expert consultants:
  • Work closely with industry partners, investors, and stakeholders to foster collaborations and secure funding for translational initiatives.
• Project Management:
  • Lead and coordinate the UAntwerp work packages of the research project, ensuring timely and efficient progress toward translational milestones.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams from other universities to integrate scientific and patient perspectives, aligning research goals with long-term clinical implementation.
• Intellectual Property Management:
  • Contribute to the identification and protection of intellectual property through patent applications and other relevant mechanisms.
  • Assist in technology transfer processes and negotiations with industry partners.
•  Lab manager responsibility
  • Support ongoing PhD projects and manage the research output according to academic standards
  • Support the conceptualization and writing of grant applications for ongoing scientific research

Profile

• Ph.D. in a relevant field (e.g., biomedical sciences, pharmacology, molecular biology, vision science).
• Proven track record in translational and/or vision research, with a focus on biomaterials, cell-biomaterial interaction and/or in vivo models.
• Ideally and entrepreneurial mindset to bring therapy into clinics
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with both academic and industry partners.
• Experience in project management and a track record of successfully leading research teams.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• You can speak and write fluently in English

What we offer

• We offer a full-time contract as a senior researcher for a period of 1 year, which can be extended for the duration of the project (4 years).
• Your gross monthly salary is calculated according to the pay scale for a principal research fellow in the Contract Research Staff category (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
• You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance, a group insurance, an income protection insurance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• The planned start date is November 15 or as soon as possible after that date.
• You will do most of your work at Campus Drie Eiken in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including Thursday, October 31^st, 2024 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:
  • a motivation letter
  • your academic CV
• The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) 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 dr. Bert Van den Bogerd, senior researcher, bert.vandenbogerd@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.