Context:
VIB is an autonomous research institute conducting pioneering research in the life sciences. Clustered around a broad range of disciplines (molecular biology, cell biology, developmental biology, structural biology, genetics, proteomics, ...), the research at VIB intends to gather innovative basic knowledge on normal, abnormal, or pathological processes occurring in an organism (humans, plants, micro-organisms) using gene technological research. Through a close partnership with the 4 Flemish Universities of Ghent, Leuven, Antwerp and Brussels, VIB unites the great expertise and broad experience of about 1200 researchers and technicians.
Together with these universities and a strong backbone funding, VIB continuously invests to stimulate top research, to pursue an active technology transfer policy towards its research findings and to communicate the gathered scientific information to the broad public. (www.vib.be/VIB/EN/).

The VIB Department of Molecular Genetics is one of 8 research departments of VIB. With near 100 researchers working in 4 research groups, the department aims to understand the complex nature of neurological and psychiatric human diseases (www.molgen.ua.ac.be/). The department disposes over the expertise of centralized service facilities like the Genetic Service Facility and the Diagnostic Service Facility, as well as central units with expert knowledge in functional genomics, technology development and bio-informatics.

The VIB Department of Molecular Genetics is located at the University of Antwerp (www.ua.ac.be/), and is affiliated with the Institute Born-Bunge, a research institute with a track record in clinical neurological and pathological research into CNS and PNS diseases (www.bornbunge.be/Home/index_nl.shtml), and to the faculty department of Biomedical Sciences of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinarian Sciences.

Job description:
The assignment of the Senior Scientist is primarily in basic and strategic scientific research of molecular neuropathology of CNS diseases and is complementary to the genetic and genomic expertise already present in the Neurodegenerative Brain Diseases Group headed by Prof. Dr. Christine Van Broeckhoven PhD DSc.
The tasks of the newly assigned Senior Scientist will include:

• Designing and using methods and technologies to study neurodegenerative diseases of the brain (e.g. Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease and related brain disorders).
• Supporting clinical pathological research in the context of brain banking
• Obtaining national and international research funds.
• Participation in national and international networks.
• Supervision and training of PhD and master students.

Candidate profile:

• Holder of a PhD in medical or biomedical sciences. Candidates with a doctoral degree in biosciences (biochemistry, biotechnology, biology) might also be considered if expertise in a life science discipline can be demonstrated.
• International scientific curriculum vitae, with academic achievements that are situated with the top 10% of the broader field of study.
• Minimum 6 years of research experience in human neuropathology. Experimental mouse neuropathology expertise is advantageous.
• Experience in leading a team of young scientists and technicians.
• Fluent in English (spoken and written language).

Our offer:
This position of Senior Scientist is immediately available in the Neurodegenerative Brain Diseases Group of the VIB Department of Molecular Genetics, located at the University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium. The appointment is initially for a period of 3 year, but is renewable into an indefinite time employment contract after a favorable evaluation. Initial salary is that of a Senior Staff Scientist. Strong candidates have the possibility to grow into an independent position of Group Leader in the VIB Department of Molecular Genetics.

Further information can be obtained from Prof. Dr. C. Van Broeckhoven, Department Director of the VIB Department of Molecular Genetics (christine.vanbroeckhoven@molgen.vib-ua.be) and Senior Group Leader of the Neurodegenerative Brain Diseases Group (www.vib.be/Research/EN).

Application:
If you are interested in this position, mail a letter of interest, curriculum vitae (including a list of publications) and the names of 2-3 reference persons to jobs@molgen.vib-ua.be. The position can be filled immediately and will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.