Seppe De Schepper

The University of Antwerp, a leading European institution, is offering a full-time PhD position in the field of translational neuroimmunology, specifically focused on Parkinson’s disease. This opportunity is embedded within the Gut-Immune-Brain Axis Lab (Prof. Seppe De Schepper, VIB–UAntwerp) and the Parkinson’s Disease Research Team (Prof. David Crosiers, Translational Neurosciences Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAntwerp; Department of Neurology, UZA). The project aims to map how peripheral and circulating immune cells reflect early Parkinson’s disease biology, with a particular focus on high-risk individuals and PD patients. The goal is to identify circulating immune signatures that anticipate disease onset and progression, leveraging advanced single-cell and immune-profiling approaches linked to clinical phenotyping. As a PhD candidate, you will coordinate clinical cohorts, process samples, perform immune profiling, and interpret data. You will work closely with neurologists on patient inclusion and sample workflows, and have access to VIB core facilities and data-science support. The research environment is highly collaborative and translational, offering opportunities to publish in peer-reviewed journals, present at international conferences, and contribute to open, reproducible science practices. You will also be expected to submit and defend an innovative project at the FWO to obtain a personal fellowship, with full support from the team. Applicants should hold a medical degree or MSc in biomedical sciences, medicine, bioengineering, or a related field, with excellent academic results. A strong interest in immunology and neurodegeneration is essential. Experience with human samples and immunophenotyping tools (such as flow cytometry) is advantageous, but motivated candidates without prior experience are encouraged to apply. Excellent communication skills in English are required, and Dutch is an asset for patient-facing coordination. The position requires a proactive, rigorous, and solution-oriented approach, with attention to quality, integrity, creativity, and cooperation. Candidates should be comfortable working at the clinic–lab interface and motivated to participate in an international project, including possible travel. The position offers a doctoral scholarship for an initial period of one year, renewable upon positive evaluation. The monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to university rates, and additional benefits include ecocheques, internet-connectivity allowance, and either a bicycle allowance or full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting. The successful candidate will work primarily at Campus Drie Eiken in a dynamic and stimulating environment, with access to state-of-the-art facilities and training in advanced techniques. Career development, networking, and mentorship opportunities are provided, along with support for presenting at conferences and publishing research. To apply, candidates should use the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform, submitting a cover letter detailing research interests, experience, and motivation, a curriculum vitae (including publications), and contact information for two references. The selection committee reviews applications promptly, and candidates will be notified of decisions and next steps. For questions about the application process, contact [email protected]; for job-specific inquiries, contact [email protected]. The University of Antwerp is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities, and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds. The institution has received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award and invests in the growth and well-being of its employees.

The University of Antwerp, a leading European institution, is offering a full-time PhD position focused on food allergy and the gut-brain immune axis. The project is hosted at the VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology, within the Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, and involves collaboration with the Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante in Spain. The research aims to unravel how allergic immune responses in the gut influence brain function, particularly how food allergy during early life can alter the gut microbiota, reprogram immune cells, and promote their migration to the brain, potentially triggering neuroinflammation. The successful candidate will characterize immune cell responses in food allergy models and assess their impact on brain immunity, working closely with experts in food allergy, neuroimmunology, and computational biology. The project integrates experimental findings with spatial and systems-level analyses of inflammation along the gut–brain axis. The VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology is renowned for its research in neurogenetics and neuroinflammation, offering access to state-of-the-art facilities and a vibrant international research environment. The PhD student will benefit from joint supervision by multidisciplinary teams in Belgium and Spain, opportunities for advanced training, international mobility, and scientific exchange. The position includes a doctoral scholarship for two years, renewable for another two years upon positive evaluation, with monthly amounts set by university rates and additional benefits such as ecocheques, internet-connectivity allowance, and commuting support. Applicants should have a Master’s degree in immunology, neuroscience, molecular biology, or related fields, FELASA certification, experience or strong interest in experimental immunology, motivation to learn computational biology/bioinformatics, some programming background, and excellent English communication skills. The application process requires submission of a detailed CV, motivation letter, 2-3 recent publications, and contact details of two referees via the University of Antwerp’s online platform. The university values diversity and inclusivity, encouraging candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

The University of Antwerp, a leading European institution, is offering a full-time PhD position in clinical-translational neuroimmunology focused on Parkinson’s disease. This opportunity is embedded within the Gut-Immune-Brain Axis Lab (Prof. Seppe De Schepper, VIB–UAntwerp) and the Parkinson’s disease Research Team (Prof. David Crosiers, Translational Neurosciences Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAntwerp; Department of Neurology, UZA). The project aims to map how peripheral and circulating immune cells reflect early Parkinson’s disease biology, focusing on high-risk individuals and PD patients to identify immune signatures that anticipate disease onset and progression. The research environment is highly collaborative and translational, with access to VIB core facilities and data-science support. The successful candidate will coordinate patient cohorts, process samples, perform immune profiling, and interpret data, working closely with neurologists and clinical teams. Responsibilities include publishing in peer-reviewed journals, presenting at conferences, and contributing to teaching and open science practices. Applicants must have a medical degree or MSc in biomedical sciences, medicine, bioengineering, or a related field, with excellent academic results. A strong interest in immunology and neurodegeneration is essential, and experience with human samples or immunophenotyping tools (such as flow cytometry) is advantageous. The position requires excellent English communication skills, with Dutch being an asset for patient-facing tasks. The initial appointment is for one year, with renewal possible upon positive evaluation. The candidate will be supported in applying for personal fellowships (e.g., FWO) and will receive a monthly scholarship, ecocheques, internet-connectivity allowance, and commuting support. The work will be based at Campus Drie Eiken in a dynamic, international setting. The University of Antwerp values diversity and inclusivity, encouraging applicants from all backgrounds. Applications are submitted online, with required attachments including a cover letter, CV, and references. For further information, contact [email protected] or [email protected].

The University of Antwerp, in collaboration with VIB–UAntwerp, is offering a PhD position focused on exploring immune signatures in early Parkinson’s disease (PD). This opportunity is supervised by Prof. Seppe De Schepper and Assistant Professor David Crosiers, both leading experts in neurology and movement disorders. The research aims to determine whether immune cells can help predict Parkinson’s disease before symptoms appear, utilizing advanced immune profiling techniques and working with patient cohorts in a translational research environment. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team at the intersection of neurology, immunology, and clinical research. The project involves hands-on work with patient samples, state-of-the-art laboratory methods, and collaboration with clinical experts at the University of Antwerp and UZA. This position is ideal for candidates interested in the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases and the development of predictive biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease. Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in biomedical sciences, neuroscience, biology, or a related field. Experience with immune profiling, patient cohort studies, or translational research is advantageous. The position is based in Antwerp, Belgium, providing access to a vibrant academic and clinical research community. Funding details are not specified in the announcement; candidates are encouraged to consult the university’s official channels for more information. To apply, interested individuals should review the LinkedIn post or contact the supervisors for further details. Preparation of a CV and motivation letter is recommended, and additional application steps may be outlined on the University of Antwerp or VIB–UAntwerp careers page.

The University of Antwerp, a leading European institution, is seeking a full-time postdoctoral researcher to join a joint initiative between the Laboratories for Gut-Immune-Brain Axis Research (GIBA, Prof. Seppe De Schepper) and the Microglia and Inflammation in Neurological Disorders lab (MIND, Prof. Renzo Mancuso) at the VIB–Center for Molecular Neurology. This ERC-funded project focuses on establishing next-generation humanized and engraftment models to study peripheral neuroimmune mechanisms in Parkinson’s disease. The research aims to build on recent advances in iPSC-derived xenotransplantation models, extending these approaches to new tools and organ systems to better understand the interaction between human immune cells and α-synuclein pathology during the earliest stages of Parkinson’s disease. The successful candidate will lead a pioneering research line at the intersection of neuroimmunology, stem cell biology, and neurodegeneration. Responsibilities include setting up and optimizing novel xenotransplantation models, collaborating with both local and international partners, supervising junior colleagues, contributing to grant writing, and disseminating findings through high-impact publications. Applicants must have a PhD in neuroscience, immunology, stem cell biology, or a related field, with proven expertise in Parkinson’s disease models and iPSC-derived in vivo systems. Experience with mouse models (FELASA B or C certification required), advanced imaging/omics, and CRISPR/Cas9 technology is highly valued. The position offers a two-year full-time contract, a competitive salary and benefits package, reimbursement for public transport, bike allowance, eco-cheques, and professional development opportunities. The planned starting date is January 1, 2026, and the work will be based at Campus Drie Eiken in a dynamic, inclusive, and supportive environment. Applicants are encouraged to apply online, submitting a cover letter, CV with publication list, and contact information for two references. The University of Antwerp is committed to diversity, equal opportunities, and the professional growth of its employees.