Doctoral scholarship holder endocrine disruptor-mediated neurotoxicity

Let’s shape the future
- University of Antwerp

The is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university.

We offer
an innovative academic education to more than 20 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6 employees from different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape.

The Department of Veterinary Sciences in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences is looking for a full-time (%) doctoral scholarship holder in the field of endocrine disruptor-mediated neurotoxicity.

Position

You will become one of the 15 Doctoral Candidates in the NeXED Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network. For more information about NeXED, see .
Your research will focus on the development of a cross-species approach to assessing impaired neurological function caused by endocrine disruptors. This will facilitate the use of NAMs such as cell-based methods and zebrafish embryos for raising concern on neurological effects in humans and non-target organisms. A draft AOP network linking different ED modalities to impaired neurological development is available, and will be used to investigate cross-species applicability of the pathways. Knowledge gaps will be identified, and addressed experimentally.
A short interdisciplinary secondment to the University of Milan, and an intersectoral secondment to the Belgian Federal Public Service Public Health will be part of your programme.
You will enroll in the University of Antwerp and comply with the local doctoral training requirements.
You will write project reports on a regular basis, and publish high-quality research results related to the research project in international conference proceedings and peer-reviewed scientific journals.
You will participate actively in the NeXED training, dissemination, communication and exploitation activities.
You will work on the preparation and defence of a doctoral thesis.
You will be expected to engage with and further support a limited number of teaching activities for the research group Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry of the Department of Veterinary Sciences (e.g., by assisting in practical courses Biochemistry and supervising thesis students).

Profile

You hold a Master’s degree in one of the life sciences (Biomedical sciences, Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical sciences,…) or you will have obtained it by the time you start work.
You have knowledge of (eco)toxicology.
A background in adverse outcome pathways and neurotoxicity, and experience in working with zebrafish embryos and cell-based methods are considered an asset.
Excellent proficiency in English is required.
You obtained a FELASA B/C certificate for animal research, or are willing to do so as soon as possible.
Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s .
Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and .
You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.

Horizon Europe MSCA eligibility criteria

To be eligible as a Doctoral Candidate, applicants cannot already be in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.

What we offer

The selected candidate will be employed full-time by University of Antwerp on the MSCA-DN project for a period of 24 months. In line with the University of Antwerp regulations and following a positive evaluation by the doctoral committee, additional funding to complete the doctoral degree is available for at least a further period of 12 months.
Doctoral candidates are offered a direct contract with equivalent benefits to an employment contract, including social security coverage, with a competitive remuneration based on the MSCA allowances in line with the . The corresponds to the amount for doctoral scholarship holders.
Funding is available for technical and personal skills training and participation in international research events.
The expected start date is January .
You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
As a doctoral researcher, you will have access to a wide and varied range of courses and an educational credit through the .
You will do most of your work at Campus