Professor Trypanosoma

Professor Trypanosoma

Department of Biomedical Sciences – Trypanosoma Unit

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. ITM is an open and international campus where staff, students and researchers work on new international health challenges.

The Department of Biomedical Sciences is establishing a new research unit dedicated to pathogen–host–vector interactions, with a particular focus on trypanosomes. The unit will be led by a newly recruited Professor (at any academic level) and will build upon and further strengthen ITM’s internationally recognized research on African trypanosomes. Therefore, the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp (ITM) is looking for an outstanding scientist with an excellent track record in experimental parasitology, molecular biology of Trypanosomes and/or host and vector immunology with a strong scientific network, including partners in Africa, South America and/or South-East Asia.

The main focus of the Trypanosoma Unit will be to:

• i) conduct innovative fundamental research on Trypanosoma biology and/or host–Trypanosoma–vector interactions, advancing knowledge of parasite biology and informing potential biomedical applications to combat trypanosomiases; and
• ii) maintain and further develop the Unit’s established expertise and capacity in Human African Trypanomiasis (HAT), including biomedical support to ongoing HAT control and elimination efforts.

The newly recruited Professor will be expected to take over line management of the existing Trypanosoma-focused team and to develop a novel and independent research portfolio that complements the Unit’s existing expertise.

This position encompasses the classical academic triad of research, education and service delivery. The candidate is expected to develop an innovative and internationally competitive research programme in the field of experimental parasitology of Trypanosomes, to contribute to educational activities within the area of expertise, including training of Master and PhD students, as well as in specialized short courses at ITM, and to ensure expert advice to national and international bodies/stakeholders in the field of molecular diagnostics and control programmes of diseases caused by African Trypanosomes.

Candidates should have at least four years of relevant postdoctoral research experience. We welcome candidates of any nationality.

Your role:

• Develop an innovative and internationally competitive research programme on trypanosomes, with a strong foundation in fundamental parasite biology and/or host–parasite–vector interactions.
• Develop, apply and disseminate state-of-the-art experimental approaches in fundamental research, which may include advanced molecular biology, biochemistry, imaging, cell biology, multi-omics and/or computational methods, according to the candidate’s expertise and research interest.
• Be willing to take responsibility for and further develop the unit’s existing translational and applied research portfolio, including its contribution to HAT diagnosis, molecular surveillance and control programmes, as well as the scientific use and maintenance of its tsetse fly facility.
• Establish and foster strong global partnerships and collaborations.
• Acquire competitive research funding and build up international reputation and visibility.
• Contribute actively to the development and delivery of the educational portfolio of the Department of Biomedical Sciences and ITM, including supervision of Master students and PhD training.
• Build and lead a team of scientific and technical staff, take up management responsibilities appropriate to the academic level.
• Collaborate with other units in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and ITM to develop complementary research lines on vector-borne and protozoan diseases.
• Contribute expertise to national and international bodies and stakeholders, where relevant to the candidate’s field.
• Oversee and direct ITM’s WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training on Human African Trypanomiasis Diagnostics.
• Promote and contribute to the strategic vision of the department and to relevant ITM committees.

Profile / Requirements

• A PhD degree in biology, veterinary sciences, biomedical sciences, biochemistry, medicine, or equivalent field.
• An excellent research profile in experimental/molecular parasitology of Trypanosomatids.
• Experience with advanced experimental and/or computational approaches rele