PhD Researcher in Rare Diseases - Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

1 - Working at the VUB

For more than 50 years, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has stood for freedom, equality and solidarity, and this is very much alive on our campuses among students and staff alike. 

At the VUB, you will find a diverse collection of personalities: innovators pur sang, but above all people who are 100% their authentic selves. With some 4,000 employees, we are the largest Dutch-speaking employer, in the private sector, in Brussels; an international city with which we are only too happy to connect and where (around) our 4 campuses are located. 

Add to this our principle of free research - in which self-reflection, a critical attitude and an open, creative mind around scientific and social issues are central - and you have a university that is fundamentally groundbreaking and pioneering in education and research. In short: the VUB all over again. 

Moreover, the VUB is a member of EUTOPIA, an alliance of like-minded European universities, all ready to reinvent themselves.

2 - Position description

The Faculteit Geneeskunde en Farmacie, Department Gezondheidswetenschappen, is looking for a PhD-student with a doctoral grant. 

More concretely your work package, for the preparation of a doctorate, contains: 

Are you passionate about rare diseases and their impact on families? Do you have a strong academic background with excellent performance in your BSc and MSc? Then we have the perfect opportunity for you! We offer you a challenging and impactful role within a stimulating research environment.

Joint-PhD with UAntwerpen - Research on Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC)

Preparation for a PhD within the TANDem project (tandconsortium.org), an international participatory research initiative focused on TSC-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND).

Nearly all individuals with TSC experience TAND during their lifetime. TAND poses the greatest burden on families and is a top research priority. We have developed a self-administered TAND checklist, the TAND-SQ (PMID: 37598571), in collaboration with the TSC community as a first step toward further support (tandtoolkit.org). However, we still know very little about how TAND evolves over time and which factors might predict this evolution. We aim to address this gap.

Additionally, we have found that the role of parents and caregivers is crucial for individuals with TSC. Caring for a person with a chronic condition can be very demanding and negatively impact the well-being of caregivers. Our research, however, suggests that the well-being of caregivers might actively influence the severity of TAND in their family members. If this is scientifically validated, interventions designed to improve caregiver well-being could benefit not only the caregivers themselves but also, indirectly, the person with TSC.
 

What will you do?
As a PhD Researcher, you will work on groundbreaking research in the field of tuberous sclerosis complex. You will have the opportunity to develop your own research project in one of the following areas:
-    Health Education
-    Participatory Action Research
-    Caregiver Wellbeing
-    Data Modeling and Visualization
You will conduct in-depth analyses, collaborate with other researchers, and actively contribute to co-creation with patient advocacy organizations. You are a proactive and independent worker who embraces challenges and enjoys engaging with experts.
 

For this function, our Brussels Health Campus (Jette) will serve as your home base. 

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

• You have a master degree

• A strong academic background with outstanding results in your BSc and MSc.
  A genuine interest in rare diseases and their impact on families.
  Strong writing and communication skills in English.
  Ability to work independently and proactively, with a focus on timely and thorough completion of research projects.
  Willingness to collaborate closely with PhD and postdoctoral researchers and to foster collaboration with patient organizations.
   

• You have not performed any works in the execution of a mandate as an assistant, paid from operating resources, over a total (cumulated) period of more than 12 months.

The VUB wants to be a reflection of the society where everyone's talent is valued, regardless of gender, age, religion, skin color, migration background, disability and neurodiversity.

4 - Offer

Are you going to be our new colleague?

You’ll be offered a full-time PhD-scholarship, for 12 months (extendable up to max. 48 months, on condition of the positive evaluation of the PhD activities), with planned starting date 15/11/2024. 

You’ll receive a grant linked to one of the scales set by the government.

IMPORTANT: The effective result of the doctorate scholarship is subject to the condition precedent of your enrolment as a doctorate student at the university.

At the VUB, you’re guaranteed an open, involved and diverse workplace where you are offered opportunities to (further) build on your career.

As well as this, you will also enjoy various other benefits:

• Extensive homeworking options, a telework allowance of 50 euros per month OR an internet fee of 20 euros per month;
• An open and informal working environment where attention is paid to work-life balance, and exceptional holiday arrangements with 35 days of leave (based on a fulltime contract), closure between Christmas and New Year and 3 extra leave days;
• Cost-free hospitalisation insurance;
• Full reimbursement of your home-to-work commute with public transport according to VUB-policy, and/or compensation if you come by bike; 
• A wide selection of meals in our campus restaurants at attractive prices;
• Excellent and affordable facilities for sport and exercise, a range of discounts via Benefits@Work (in  all kinds of shops, on flights, in petrol stations, amusement parks...) and Ecocheques; 
• Nursery near campus, discount on holiday camps; 
• The space to form your job content and to continuously learn through our VUB learning platforms and training courses;
• And finally: great colleagues with a healthy drive.

5 - Interested?

Is this the job you’ve been dreaming of?

Then apply, at the latest on 13/10/2024, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents:

• your CV;
• your motivation letter;
• your diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni).

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Prof. Dr. An Jansen at anna.jansen@vub.be or on 0478/573235.

Would you like to know what it’s like to work at the VUB? Go to jobs.vub.be, and find all there is to know about our campuses, benefits, strategic goals and your future colleagues.

Would you like more information about EUTOPIA? Go to eutopia-university.eu, and read more about the role of the VUB in the development of the EUTOPIA alliance.