PhD in Diagnostic Biomarkers and Phenotypes of Lipedema KU Leuven in

KU Leuven and University Hospital Leuven are offering a full-time PhD position in lipedema research, within the oncology research unit of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and the centre for lymphedema of the Department of Vascular Surgery. The project, BIO-LIP, focuses on improving the diagnosis of lipedema by identifying diagnostic biomarkers and defining clinically meaningful phenotypes.

Lipedema is a chronic condition marked by disproportionate fat distribution and bilateral, symmetrical accumulation of subcutaneous adipose tissue, especially in the legs. Because diagnosis is currently based largely on symptoms and clinical examination, it is often unstandardized and can be misdiagnosed as obesity. The BIO-LIP case-control study aims to develop a more precise diagnostic approach that distinguishes patients with lipedema from individuals with obesity and from non-obese controls.

The doctoral research will explore biomarker potential across five domains: body composition, sensory profile, circulating biomarkers, physical functioning, and psychological functioning-related biomarkers. A second key aim is to identify different lipedema phenotypes and their unique clinical characteristics. Participants with lipedema, obesity, and no obesity will be included, with measurements performed at one time point.

The PhD candidate will recruit participants at the University Hospital Leuven, conduct evaluations together with the research team, help organise international expert consensus meetings, manage data in REDCap, contribute to analyses and interpretation, and support dissemination through scientific publications and science communication. The position also includes a limited number of teaching and research support tasks at KU Leuven.

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain by September 2025, a Master degree in Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Medicine, or Biomedical Sciences. Experience or qualification to take blood samples is considered an advantage. The ideal candidate is Dutch-speaking, fluent in English, highly motivated, accurate, organised, flexible, and interested in collaborative clinical research with patients and a multidisciplinary team.

The university offers a doctoral scholarship for one year, renewable for a further three years after positive evaluation. The planned start date is October 2026, depending on availability. The work location is Campus Gasthuisberg and Campus Pellenberg in Leuven.

Applications must be submitted via the KU Leuven online application platform by 18 August 2026 at midnight Brussels time. Applicants should include a motivation letter and academic CV. Interviews are scheduled for 24 August 2026 afternoon and 25 August 2026 morning.