Postdoctoral Researcher in Virology, with a Focus On Respiratory Viruses, Neuro-immune Interactions and Neurodegeneration

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Departement: Faculteit Farmaceutische, Biomedische en Diergeneeskundige Wetenschappen
Regime Voltijds

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The Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Antwerp is seeking to fill a **full-time (100%)** vacancy in the Department of Biomedical Sciences for a **postdoctoral researcher in Virology, with a focus on respiratory viruses, neuro-immune interactions and neurodegeneration.**

**Background research groups**:You will be working in the research group **Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH)** and the **Laboratory for Experimental Hematology (LEH)** on the molecular mechanisms and pathways through which neuronal structures are impacted by respiratory viruses and/or respiratory viral infections.

**Research topic**:
Human respiratory viral infections lead to a spectrum of respiratory symptoms and variable disease severity. **Besides the acute consequences in the respiratory tract**, these viral infections can be associated with extra-pulmonary symptoms (e.g., encephalitis), and in recent years **respiratory infections have also been linked with neurodegenerative diseases**, such as AD. Except for familial cases, the aetiopathogenic origins of these neurodegenerative diseases are not always very clear; however, **two common factors seem to be neuroinflammation and increasingly also epidemiological links to viral infections.**Furthermore, while neuroinflammation was originally thought to be a consequence of neurodegeneration, recent research suggests that also **neuroinflammation can drive the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases**. Viral infections such as HSV-1 and VZV seem to be strongly associated with some forms of neurodegenerative diseases. Besides, **respiratory viruses**, such as Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Influenza virus, may not always be confined to the respiratory system but **may have potential neurotropic effects, linking viral infections to neurological sequelae**. Additionally, there is increasing evidence that Influenza virus induces neuroinflammation within the peripheral nervous system (vagal sensory ganglia), characterized by an increase in immune cells and transcriptional changes related to inflammatory responses within neuronal cells. The role of this neuroinflammation remains unknown but is indicative of a signalling pathway from the respiratory system to the central nervous system. Despite emerging interest, the **molecular mechanisms and pathways through which neuronal structures are impacted by respiratory viruses and/or respiratory viral infection remain poorly understood**. Development and validation of **relevant human models, such as iPSC derived neuronal models and respiratory air liquid interface (ALI) are much needed to investigate this complex interaction between pathogen and the respiratory and neuronal compartment**.

**Profile**
- You hold a doctoral degree (PhD) from a non-Belgian institution (or you will have obtained it by the time you start work) in Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, (Bio-)Engineering Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry, or similar.
- Expertise with virology is needed, and experience with neuronal infections and/or ALI cultures is an asset.
- You did not reside, study or work in Belgium for more than 24 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment date (eligibility rule for postdoc with a subsidy).
- You comply with the eligibility conditions for a junior FWO postdoctoral fellowship and/or for a MSCA European Postdoctoral Fellowship (p.7)
- Your academic qualities comply with the requirements stipulated in the university’s policy.
- You will co-supervise PhD students and master students, and having experience with supervision is preferred.
- You are quality-oriented, team-oriented, conscientious, creative and cooperative.
- You have preferably experience in multi-stakeholder research, and you know how to balance independent research with timely communication to the different partners in a project.
- You have strong communication skills.
- You are fluent in academic English (speaking and writing).

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