Doctoral scholarship holder endocrine disruptor-mediated neurotoxicity

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Department: Department of Veterinary Sciences
Regime Full-time

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The Department of Veterinary Sciences in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences is looking for a full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship holder in the field of endocrine disruptor-mediated neurotoxicity.

Position

• You will become one of the 15 Doctoral Candidates in the NeXED Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network. For more information about NeXED, see https://www.nexed.eu.
• Your research will focus on the development of a cross-species approach to assessing impaired neurological function caused by endocrine disruptors. This will facilitate the use of NAMs such as cell-based methods and zebrafish embryos for raising concern on neurological effects in humans and non-target organisms. A draft AOP network linking different ED modalities to impaired neurological development is available, and will be used to investigate cross-species applicability of the pathways. Knowledge gaps will be identified, and addressed experimentally.
• A short interdisciplinary secondment to the University of Milan, and an intersectoral secondment to the Belgian Federal Public Service Public Health will be part of your programme.
• You will enroll in the University of Antwerp Doctoral School and comply with the local doctoral training requirements.
• You will write project reports on a regular basis, and publish high-quality research results related to the research project in international conference proceedings and peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• You will participate actively in the NeXED training, dissemination, communication and exploitation activities.
• You will work on the preparation and defence of a doctoral thesis.
• You will be expected to engage with and further support a limited number of teaching activities for the research group Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry of the Department of Veterinary Sciences (e.g., by assisting in practical courses Biochemistry and supervising thesis students).

Profile

• You hold a Master’s degree in one of the life sciences (Biomedical sciences, Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical sciences,…) or you will have obtained it by the time you start work.
• You have knowledge of (eco)toxicology.
• A background in adverse outcome pathways and neurotoxicity, and experience in working with zebrafish embryos and cell-based methods are considered an asset.
• Excellent proficiency in English is required.
• You can work accurately and independently as well as within a multidisciplinary team.
• You obtained a FELASA B/C certificate for animal research, or are willing to do so as soon as possible.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.

Horizon Europe MSCA eligibility criteria

• To be eligible as a Doctoral Candidate, applicants cannot already be in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.
• Mobility rule: Applicants can be of any nationality, but must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting host organisation for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account. Important: note that the country of main activity is not only where you were physically based but also the country of the institution for which the main activity was performed, including remotely.

What we offer

• The selected candidate will be employed full-time by University of Antwerp on the MSCA-DN project for a period of 24 months. In line with the University of Antwerp regulations and following a positive evaluation by the doctoral committee, additional funding to complete the doctoral degree is available for at least a further period of 12 months.
• Doctoral candidates are offered a direct contract with equivalent benefits to an employment contract, including social security coverage, with a competitive remuneration based on the MSCA allowances in line with the MSCA WP 2023-2025. The gross monthly amount at UAntwerpen corresponds to the amount for doctoral scholarship holders.
• Funding is available for technical and personal skills training and participation in international research events.
• The expected start date is January 2027.
• You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• As a doctoral researcher, you will have access to a wide and varied range of courses and an educational credit through the Antwerp Doctoral School.
• You will do most of your work at Campus Drie Eiken in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including November 3, 2026 (23:59h CET). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include (1) your academic CV, (2) a motivation letter, (3) list of reference persons including their contact details. Your CV should unambiguously demonstrate that you meet the MSCA eligibility criteria.
• The selection committee will review all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. Only pre-selected candidates will be invited to an interview with the selection committee. We will inform pre-selected candidates about the next steps in the selection procedure as soon as possible.
• NeXED follows an open, transparent, merit-based, impartial and equitable recruitment procedure, with particular focus on fair gender representation and diversity. The recruitment aligns with the principles of the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers and the European Charter for Researchers and follows pre-defined selection criteria.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Prof. Dries Knapen (dries.knapen@uantwerpen.be).

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.