Professor in Membrane Contact Sites
(ref. ZAP-2022-104)
Last modification : Wednesday, February 15, 2023
The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (CMM) of the KU Leuven
Biomedical Sciences Group has a full-time vacancy for independent academic
staff in the field of mammalian membrane contact sites (MCSs), with special
focus on unraveling novel functional effectors of organelle-organelle
interactions. Particular attention is paid to application of super-resolution
imaging, and development of new tools (e.g. sensors/reporters) enabling the
study of inter-organelle proximity with high temporal-spatial resolution and
Cryo-EM tomography. We are looking for internationally oriented candidates
with an excellent interdisciplinary research record and with educational
competence in molecular cell biology and signal transduction in the context of
human diseases. The CMM department can build on a solid research
infrastructure, an extensive international network, connections with companies
and non-profit organizations, a stable supply of talented PhD students and a
supportive and inclusive working environment. In addition, the department has
an international reputation for its molecular and cellular research in the
field of signal transduction and cellular communication. CMM wants to extend
this expertise to the study of inter-organellar (mis)communication in health
and disease. The group's website: https:// gbiomed.kuleuven.be/english Unit
website: https:// gbiomed.kuleuven.be/dep/CMM
Duties
Research
You develop a competitive and high-quality research program focused on
structural and functional aspects of inter-organellar communication
through MCSs.
You develop innovative methods for the study of inter-organellar
communication and the MCS's interactome/tetherome based on high-end
approaches including high-resolution microscopy, cryo-EM, proximity-driven
fluorescent probes, proximity-based biotinylation and/or organelle multi-
omics analyses.
Your research program is complementary to current research within the CMM
department and the Biomedical Sciences group.
You actively participate in the acquisition of competitive funds for the
development of your research program.
You work together with several research groups within the CMM department,
the Biomedical Sciences group and the University Hospital Leuven.
Education
You provide high-quality education in the basic sciences of the Medicine,
Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacy or Dentistry programs.
You also contribute to the pedagogical project of the faculty/university
by supervising master's theses and as promoter of doctoral students.
Your teaching assignment is determined on the basis of your specific
profile. It is limited in scope during the first years of your
appointment. In your further career, the necessary attention is paid to
the balance between research and teaching time.
You develop your education in accordance with the vision of KU Leuven on
activating and research-based education and you make use of the
opportunities for educational professionalization offered by the faculty
and the university.
Service
You provide scientific, social and internal services that contribute to
the reputation of the entire university.
Profile
You hold a PhD with dissertation in biomedical sciences, or equivalent.
A detailed knowledge of innovative methods in super-resolution microscopy
is required.
You have a strong research record in the field of membrane contact sites
as evidenced by publications in top international journals of the field
and international research experience.
You have built an international reputation in the field of membrane
contact sites and international network of collaborations.
You have a demonstrated capability to acquire competitive research
funding.
Teaching experience is a plus.
You have managerial and organizational skills and you have a collegial
attitude.
Proficiency in English is required.
The official language used at KU Leuven is Dutch. If you do not speak
Dutch (or do not speak it well) at the start of employment, KU Leuven
will provide language training to enable you to take part in meetings.
Before teaching courses in Dutch or English, you will be given the
opportunity to learn Dutch, respectively English, to the required
standard.
Offer
We offer full-time employment in anintellectually stimulating environment.
KU Leuven is a research-intensive,internationally oriented university that
carries out both fundamental andapplied scientific research. She has a
strong inter- and multidisciplinaryfocus and strives for international
excellence. To this end, it activelycollaborates with its research
partners at home and abroad. She offers herstudents an academic training
based on high-level scientific research. The KULeuven Research &
Development knowledge and technology transfer
service(lrd.kuleuven.be/en) is a role model for many European
universities.
You will work in Leuven, a historic yet dynamic and livelycity in the
center of Belgium, twenty minutes from Brussels, the capital of
theEuropean Union, and less than two hours from Paris, London and
Amsterdam.
Depending on your file and qualifications, you will beappointed to one of
the ranks of the independent academic staff: lecturer,associate professor,
professor or full professor.
KU Leuven is well set to welcome foreign professors and theirfamily and
provides practical support with regard to immigration &administration,
housing, childcare, learning Dutch, partner career coaching, ...
To facilitate scientific onboarding and accelerate research inthe first
phase a starting grant of 110.000 euro is offered to new professorswithout
substantial other funding, appointed for at least 50%.
Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Patrizia Agostinis, tel.: +32 16
33 06 50, mail: [email protected] For problems with online
applying, please contact [email protected]
You must enclose a research statement with your motivation letter that
demonstrates your added value for the research program of the Department of
Cellular and Molecular Medicine and the Biomedical Sciences Group (max. 3
pages). In addition, you outline your vision on academic education in a
teaching statement (max. 1 page).
KU Leuven places great importance on research integrity and ethical conduct
and will therefore ask you to sign an integrity statement upon appointment.
KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish,
regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If
you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us
at [email protected]
