→ Apply until 08/07/2025 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels time)
→ Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
→ Department GE31 - Department of Biomolecular Medicine
→ AAP temporary appointment - 100%
→ Number of openings: 1
→ Reference number: 202505/GE31/AS/018
ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY
Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing 15.000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, and technical and social services on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With each of its 11 faculties and more than 100 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes that are grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its employees as well as its students.
YOUR TASKS
- At least 50% of your assignment will be spent on academic research in preparation of a doctoral dissertation
Subject of the dissertation: Deep mutational scanning of homologous recombination genes in breast cancer
Homologous recombination (HR) is a vital DNA repair pathway responsible for maintaining genomic integrity by accurately repairing double-strand breaks. Pathogenic variants in several genes involved in this pathway are important for the clinical management of carriers, aiding in prevention, screening, and cancer treatment. The best investigated genes in this context are BRCA1 and BRCA2. In this project, we will focus on less-explored HR genes, including RAD51C, RAD51D, and BRIP1, which are also implicated in breast/ovarian cancer susceptibility. The number of observed unique variants in these genes is increasing due to increasing therapeutic options and improved sampling. With rapid advances in high-throughput molecular and bioinformatic pipelines for sequencing, the bottleneck in genetic testing has largely shifted to the clinical interpretation of detected variants. Due to limited clinical, familial, and epidemiological data, thousands of variants are considered to be variants of uncertain significance (VUS). Variant classification guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) and the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) incorporate functional data as an important source of evidence. For the abovementioned genes, the availability of functional assays is minimal.
To address the experimental burden inherent to the setup of functional assays, we will introduce deep mutational scanning (DMS), which offers a powerful, unbiased method for systematic functional evaluation of all possible substitutions in a target protein. DMS involves the expression of a comprehensive library of variants within a pooled cellular system, coupled with a selection system that reflects the biological function of the target gene. This project aims to functionally classify all potential variants in RAD51C, RAD51D, and BRIP1. Variant effects will be validated in additional cell and zebrafish model systems. The resulting functional datasets will support improved variant interpretation and enhance clinical care for carriers.
- You will assist in the teaching activities at the department, within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. The teaching duty includes a.o. practical courses, seminars and/or internships with a focus on biochemistry, protein research, molecular biology, genetics, bio-informatics and the integration of these domains. You will be actively involved in the organization, preparation, supervision and evaluation of several teaching methods.
- You will guide master students during their master thesis.
- You will assist in the internal and external services of the department
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
- You hold a degree of Master in Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Bioengineering (cell and gene technology), Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences or similar studies. The degree requirement needs to be fulfilled at the start of your appointment
- For diplomas awarded outside the European Union, a certificate of equivalence (NARIC) must be submitted
- You are interested in academic and/or project-based research and services
- Experience in molecular biomedical research is recommended.
- You are highly motivated to participate in educational activities of the department.
- Any teaching experience or participation in extra training, conferences, etc. is recommended
- You have excellent teaching and communication skills
- You have a flexible work attitude and are willing to match your time investment to the needs of the project and tasks.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
- We offer you a two-year appointment, which may be renewed twice for two years, on condition that the previous term was given a positive evaluation. Attention: If you have been previously appointed as a junior assistant or doctoral fellow at a university within the Flemish Community, this appointment will be deducted from the maximum term of appointment, which is six years at the most according to the Codex of Higher Education
- Your appointment will start on 1 October 2025 at the earliest
- Your remuneration will be determined according to salary scale AAP3. 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 paid leave, bicycle commuting reimbursement, ecocheques, etc. A complete overview of all our fringe benefits
The interview will take place on Thursday July 17, 2025.
INTERESTED?
Apply online through the e-recruitment system before the application deadline (see above). We do not accept late applications or applications that are not sent through the online system.
Your application must include the following documents:
- In the field ‘Cv’: your cv and an overview of your study results (merged into one pdf file)
- In the field ‘Cover letter’: your application letter in pdf format
- In the field ‘Diploma’: a transcript of the required degree (if already in your possession)
- If you have a foreign diploma in a language other than our national languages (Dutch, French or German) or English, please add a translation in one of the mentioned languages
- In the field ‘Certificate of equivalence’: only for diplomas awarded outside the European Union a certificate of equivalence (NARIC) must be submitted (if already in your possession, if not, you need to be able to provide proof that you have applied for a certificate of equivalence at the start of your appointment). The certificate can be requested via www.naricvlaanderen.be/en. For diplomas awarded in the UK before January 31st of 2020, a certificate of equivalence is not required
Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB.
As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Sven Eyckerman ([email protected], +32 9 224 98 31) and prof. Kathleen Claes ([email protected], +32 9 332 24 78).
Do you have a question regarding the online application process? Please read the FAQ or contact us via [email protected] or +32 9 264 34 36
