Koen Van Laere

PhD project at KU Leuven / UZ Leuven on PET imaging of new biomarkers for neuroinflammation. The Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging research group at KU Leuven – UZ Leuven is recruiting for a 4-year PhD project focused on neuroinflammation, microglial activation, and advanced PET imaging. The project is part of a first-in-human study of a new PET radiotracer intended as a biomarker for neuroinflammation. It leverages the group’s internationally recognised neuroimaging expertise and access to the NeuroEXPLORER ultra-high-resolution PET scanner, the first of its kind in Europe since 2025. The project includes biodistribution, dosimetry, and kinetic modelling of the radioligand in healthy volunteers and in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis. You will also work with ultra-high-resolution PET to study neuroinflammatory processes in the brain, with a particular focus on healthy ageing. A key part of the work is comparing patient groups with age-matched healthy controls and integrating PET results with MRI, clinical data, cognitive assessments, and biological markers. The project also involves advanced brain-imaging analysis, kinetic modelling, voxel-based statistics, and active involvement in recruiting, screening, and following up healthy volunteers and patients in the clinical trial programme. This PhD is well suited to candidates with a Master’s degree in medicine, biomedical sciences, bioengineering, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related discipline, and with excellent academic results. The ideal applicant is interested in neuroscience, molecular imaging, and clinical research; enjoys interdisciplinary work; and has strong analytical, computer, and communication skills. Experience with image analysis, programming, statistics, PET, MRI, clinical research, and Good Clinical Practice is considered an advantage. Because the role includes volunteer and patient contact, a good command of Dutch at minimum B2 level is required, alongside strong spoken and written English. The position offers a challenging research environment within an internationally oriented team, close supervision by experts in nuclear medicine, neurology, and neuroimaging, collaboration with national and international partners, and opportunities for scientific publications and conference participation. Funding is available, and the appointment is full-time for 4 years. Applicants are expected to apply for future grant funding. Applications should be submitted through the KU Leuven job site before 2026-09-15 23:59 (Europe/Brussels). For more information, contact Prof. dr. Koen Van Laere at [email protected] or dr. Greet Vanderlinden at [email protected].