Postdoctoral position (M/F/X) in molecular virology within the veterinary department

Responsabilities

• Context of the research project : The research project that the candidate is going to pursue will take place within a FNRS project regrouping three partners (UNamur, veterinary department; ULB, department of molecular virology; ULiège, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases) and aim to identify and characterize viral circular RNAs.
• Project : In this project, your goal will be the precise characterization of viral circular RNAs expressed in two distinct viral models (retrovirus and herpesvirus). Three mains questions have to be elucidated; (i) determination of the circular RNAs kinetics expression during the key steps of the infection; (ii) determination of their cellular localization using the RNA Scope technology, (iii) determination of their role (microRNA sponge, coding capacity, for instance) and of their importance in viral infection and pathogenicity.

Profile

The candidate must hold a PhD in biological sciences or equivalent.

Experience, competence and required qualities :

• A strong background in cellular and molecular biology is essential,
• Be highly motivated to successfully complete a collaborative project,
• Be autonomous,
• Have at least one original article signed as first author,
• Have good communications skills in English,
• Expertise in virology is an asset,
• Expertise in bioinformatics and experience with programming languages (eg. Python) are an asset.

Additional information

Persons of contact : Prof. Benoît MUYLKENS, head of the veterinary department (Rue de Bruxelles n°61, B-5000 Namur (Belgique) benoit.muylkens@unamur.be, Dr Damien Coupeau (Research Logistician, project leader) damien.coupeau@unamur.be (081/72 43 74).

Administrative information

• Contract/duration : 12 months duration contract, renewable,

• Salary : PDR FNRS project, net salary ≈ 3098€ per month,

• Collaborations :

• Department of molecular virology (Carine Van Lint ; ULB) ;

• Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (Dr Benjamin Dewals ; ULiège).

• Starting date : 2024 February,

• Hiring conditions : Two types of contracts are eligible

  o A Belgian research contract

  o An “international mobility situation”, meaning that the candidate shall not have resided or carried out his/her main activity (job, studies…) in Belgium for more than 24 months during the last 3 years directly before the first stay as a Postdoctoral fellow (short stays such as holidays, participation in a congress, a short stay in preparation for the postdoctoral stay are not taken into account to verify that this condition is met)”. The first hiring period shall start at the latest exactly 10 years after obtaining the academic degree of doctor, after the defense of a thesis. The maximum period of time mentioned above is extended for one additional year per childbirth and/or adoption. This grant will be exempted from taxes but subject to the employee social security.

Remarks

Content of the application file

Selection process : Analyze of CV and interviews (possibility of distance interview) of the selected candidates. Submission procedure: Sent by email to benoit.muylkens@unamur.be at the latest the 2023/12/15.

• A detailed CV,
• A copy of your diplomas,
• A summary of the PhD (max 2 pages),
• One motivation letter (max 2 pages),
• A selection of article(s) illustrating the adequation between your profile and the present project,
• 2 recommendation letters.

References :

1. Chasseur AS, Trozzi G, Istasse C, Petit A, Rasschaert P, Denesvre C, Kaufer BB, Bertzbach LD, Muylkens B, Coupeau D. 2022. Marek’s Disease Virus Virulence Genes Encode Circular RNAs. J Virol 96:e0032122.
2. Serge Chasseur A, Muylkens B, Coupeau D. 2023. [The circular life of viruses]. Med Sci (Paris) 39:344-350.

The human resources management policy of the University of Namur is based on respect for the equal rights and equal treatment of all. Diversity is articulated around different axes, including gender, disability, origin, beliefs, age, sexual orientation, and so on. The University of Namur is also a signatory of the Charter of Diversity. UNamur is also committed to adhering to the 40 principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Recruitment Code for Researchers of the European Union in its management of Human Resources (OTM-R policy).