Professor Helminthology

Introduction:

The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Antwerp aims at the advancement and spread of science that contributes to infectious disease medicine and to public health globally with focus on low
- and middle income countries, inclusive of their global dimensions. ITM provides fundamental, translational and applied scientific research, delivers advanced education on and provides medical, scientific and societal expert services. The ITM is an open and international campus where staff, students and researchers work on new international health challenges.

The Department of Biomedical Sciences is opening a new research unit in the field of pathogen-host-vector interactions, with a particular focus on (vector-borne) zoonotic helminths and their co-infections with co-endemic pathogens.

Therefore, the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp (ITM) is looking for an outstanding scientist with an excellent track record on the biology and immunobiology of zoonotic helminths and co-infections, with a strong scientific network, including partners in Africa, South America and/or South-East Asia.

Your Role:

• Develop and conduct innovative research on zoonotic helminths and coinfections with coendemic pathogens to advance biomedical control strategies.
• Establish and foster strong global partnerships.
• Acquire competitive research funding and build up international reputation and visibility.
• Provide expert advice to national and international bodies/stakeholders in the field of helminthology (National Reference Laboratory for Parasites
• Trichinellosis, Echinococcosis and Anisakiasis).
• Provide teaching and handson training in the field of (zoonotic) helminthology and coinfections at postgraduate, Master (Global One Health MSc) and PhD level, as well as in specialized short courses at ITM.
• Supervise and mentor MSc and PhD students.
• Build and lead a team of scientific and technical staff, take up management responsibilities.
• Collaborate with other units in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, and with researchers across ITM to develop synergistic research lines on zoonotic pathogens.
• Promote and contribute to the strategic vision of the department and institutional policy and contribute to relevant ITM committees.
• You report to the Head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences.

Profile/Requirements:

• A PhD degree in biology, veterinary sciences, biomedical sciences, medicine, or equivalent field.
• An excellent academic track record in the field of helminthology, coinfections and immunobiology.
• A proven track record of successful grant writing and PhD supervision.
• A collaborative spirit to foster interdisciplinary interactions.
• Welldeveloped skills in field research, in organizing field sampling campaigns, in transferring biological materials from the field to the lab, and in working with scientists and local communities in low and middle income countries.
• A proven track record in capacity transfer and successful collaborative research with other disciplines. Experience in academic teaching and training in the field of helminthology is highly valued.
• Excellent communication skills and respectful people management skills.
• Fluent in English and preferably also in French, both in writing and speaking. Active knowledge of Dutch is desirable. If you do not have these skills, willingness to acquire a working level of Dutch is requested. Knowledge of other languages is an asset.
• Genuine alignment with ITM values.

We offer you:

The Institute of Tropical Medicine is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive institute. We strive for excellence and relevance, integrity, sustainability, persistence and fairness. Your assignment contributes to our mission.

We value human dignity and diversity, academic creativity and a critical spirit, solidarity and cooperation, and the well-being of employees, students, patients and clients.

• A fulltime appointment.

Depending on your record and qualifications, you will be appointed to or tenured in one of the grades of the senior academic staff:
assistant professor, associate professor, professor or full professor.

• An attractive research starting grant to cover initial personnel, working and equipment costs.
• An immigration and relocation assistance package.
• A collegial research environment and mentorship with attention to worklife balance and individual growth and development.
• Based in the vibrant city of Antwerp, Belgium.

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