Postdoctoral project on cancer therapy via nanomedicine, cell engineering and immunotherapy

This postdoctoral position at KU Leuven focuses on advancing cancer therapy through nanomedicine, cell engineering, and immunotherapy. The successful candidate will join the NanoHealth and Optical Imaging research group within the Faculty of Medicine, which is part of the Translational Cell and Tissue Research Unit and leads the Centre for Multimodal Oncology Research (C-More). The group is internationally recognized for its expertise in nanomedicine and optical imaging, and collaborates extensively with other research teams at KU Leuven to develop and apply innovative imaging techniques. The research aims to harness the potential of nanomaterials for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications in cancer, emphasizing the need for targeted delivery and the development of new therapeutic strategies. The group’s central focus is on combining cell biology and nanomedicine to create novel translational research tools. The postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for culturing, evaluating, and validating engineered cell types, including reporter and therapeutic cells such as CAR-NK. Additional tasks include generating biomimetic nanoparticles via cell engineering with lentiviral vectors, setting up and validating syngeneic tumor models, and monitoring tumor growth and microenvironment changes both in vivo and ex vivo. Further responsibilities involve writing research publications and proposals, promoting research methods and results to academic and industrial partners, and contributing to the training of PhD students. The candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary team, gaining exposure to a wide range of research domains and benefiting from ample opportunities for collaboration and learning. Applicants must hold a PhD in biology, medical sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related field, with experience in cell culture and animal handling, and certification for animal experiments. Skills in project management, research proposal writing, communication, networking, and social media are valued. Experience in cancer biology, immunotherapy, nanomedicine, tumor microenvironment analysis, preclinical studies, therapeutic mRNA or pDNA, CAR-T or CAR-NK cell generation and evaluation, and biomimetics for encapsulation of nanocomplexes is advantageous. International applicants are welcome, and all candidates should demonstrate enthusiasm, reliability, accuracy, responsibility, organizational skills, and proficiency in English. Funding is available for the first year, which serves as an evaluation period. Upon positive evaluation, the contract may be extended for an additional two years, or candidates may be guided in applying for external fellowships for up to three years. KU Leuven offers a supportive, inclusive, and diverse research environment, committed to equal opportunity and open dialogue. The application deadline is February 16, 2026. For further information, contact Prof. dr. Stefaan Soenen at [email protected]. Apply online via the KU Leuven jobsite: KU Leuven Jobsite .