PhD in Department of Diagnostic Sciences

 The research group of Prof. Tom Taghon at Ghent University (www.taghonlab.ugent.be), located in Ghent, Belgium, is looking for a talented and highly motivated PhD student to join our team.

Research in our lab is focused on the functional characterization of the molecular mechanisms that control T cell development in human in health and disease (Park et al., Science 2020, Lavaert et al., Immunity 2020; Roels et al., Nature Immunology 2020). Using human primary hematopoietic stem cells and thymocytes, successful candidates will apply state-of-the-art molecular and cell culture approaches to study the role of a particular transcription factor, GATA3 (Taghon et al., Nat. Immunology 2007); Van de Walle et al., Nature Communications 2016), in the development of normal and leukemic T cell development. Techniques include RNAseq, ChIPseq, ATACseq, in vitro cell cultures for pluripotent and hematopoietic stem cell differentiation (Dolens and Taghon, Nature Methods 2017), retro- and lentiviral perturbation experiments for gain- and loss-of-function studies, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene-editing in human primary cells and single cell multi-omics. In addition, mouse models will be used to study the molecular mechanisms of oncogenic transformation.

You will work together with an international group of postdocs, PhD students and technicians in the recent Medical Research Building2 on the Ghent University Hospital campus that provides access to cutting-edge technology and facilities, and that houses leading research groups in the field of Immunology and Genetics, thereby providing a state-of-the-art and stimulating research environment.

Job profile

• You have strong enthusiasm for scientific research with an interest in the molecular genetics of normal and leukemic blood cell development.
• You are a highly motivated and flexible team player with the capacity to work independently.
• You have strong research and presentation skills, illustrated by your master thesis.
• Candidates should have a relevant master degree in biotechnology, biochemistry, (bio)medical sciences, bio-engineer, or equivalent.

How to apply

For further information or to apply (include motivation letter, curriculum vitae with study results and contact information of two potential referees), please contact : Prof. Dr. Tom Taghon (E-mail: Tom.Taghon@UGent.be)