PhD Position: Multi-Omics Approaches for Improved Sarcoma Diagnosis KU Leuven in Belgium

This PhD position at KU Leuven's Laboratory for Genetics of Malignant Disorders offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the advancement of sarcoma diagnosis through the implementation of comprehensive multi-omics approaches. Sarcomas are rare and highly heterogeneous tumors, presenting significant challenges in clinical diagnosis and treatment. The research group is a reference center for sarcoma diagnosis and has a strong track record in both clinical and translational research, continually developing innovative technologies to improve patient outcomes.

The successful candidate will join a vibrant doctoral school (Thematic Programme: Cancer) and a multidisciplinary team with expertise in clinical genetics, pathology, surgery, medical oncology, imaging, computational biology, and preclinical modeling. The project aims to develop a streamlined diagnostic workflow for sarcomas, utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as Optical Genome Mapping (OGM) and Multiomic whole-genome Long-Read Sequencing (LRS), both recently validated at UZ Leuven. Advanced cancer genomics workflows will be deployed in the secure and scalable UZ Leuven Genomics Core cloud, with insights reported to clinicians via an intuitive interface.

The research will address current bottlenecks in sarcoma diagnosis, extract novel biomarkers, and uncover new biological insights, ultimately aiming to revolutionize the diagnostic process and improve clinical decision-making for patients with poorly characterized sarcomas. The position offers full-time employment in an international, state-of-the-art research environment in Leuven, Belgium.

Initial funding is provided for one year, with renewal funding already available, and candidates are encouraged to seek additional fellowships. Applicants should have an MSc in biomedical sciences, engineering, medicine, pharmacy, or a related field, with experience in bioinformatics or AI considered advantageous.

Strong English communication skills and the ability to work independently are essential. KU Leuven is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity, providing a supportive environment for all researchers. For further information, candidates may contact Prof.

Dr. Isabelle Vanden Bempt.