JOB INFORMATION
Organisation/Company: KU Leuven
Research Field: Gene therapy and lung transplantation
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Country: Belgium-France-Austria-Germany-Sweden-Spain-United Kingdom-Denmark-Netherlands-Switzerland
Application Deadline: September 28th 2025 - 17:00 (CET)
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Hours Per Week: 40
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Grant Agreement Number: 101227159
OFFER DESCRIPTON
LifeLUNG (www.lifelung.eu) is a doctoral training network in the field of lung transplantation. Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) is a clinically used platform to maintain active lung physiology outside the body. Starting November 1st 2025, LifeLUNG aims to advance EVLP technology to make organ engineering feasible prior to transplant. The project will i) increase our understanding of transplant failure through existing and newly developed models, ii) identify key immune factors and gene targets, iii) develop gene therapeutic agents and delivery tools to modulate target genes in the lung, and iv) explore the economic and ethical paradigms of genetic modification of lung transplantation.
The LifeLUNG network is built around a community of leading European experts in lung transplantation and gene therapy. It will train 15 doctoral candidates (DCs) as the next generation of gene therapy innovators and research leaders both in academia and industry in an international, multidisciplinary and multisectoral environment. The network consists of 9 academic and 10 non-academic partners in 11 countries.
The joint training programme will ignite responsible, cooperative research and innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship to maximize the career potential of the DCs, including international mobility and intersectoral secondments for all DCs.
LifeLUNG is recruiting highly motivated candidates willing and excited to go the extra mile. LifeLUNG DCs are not only expected to deliver on their individual research projects, but also to actively participate in 6-monthly organized network-wide training weeks, intersectoral secondments, a variety of additional (online) training modules including transferable skills courses and participate in relevant workshops and conferences.
More info about LifeLUNG, the individual research projects and detailed candidate requirements, and how to apply can be found on the project website (www.lifelung.eu)
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
We welcome applicants of any nationality and background, provided that they fulfil the following specific requirements:
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Applicants hold a MSc or equivalent degree in a subject specified in the description of the individual PhD projects.
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Applications do not hold a PhD degree or have successfully defended their PhD.
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Applicants have the necessary academic skills and background to make the success of a doctoral degree. The skills needed will depend on the project chosen.
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Applicants did not reside or carry out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the host organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years 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 are not considered (mobility rule).
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Applicants must fulfil the local requirements and must be eligible to enrol the PhD programme at the host institution.
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Applicants demonstrate high level of proficiency in written and spoken English, which will be assessed with the motivation letter and the interview, respectively
BENEFITS
The selected candidates will receive an attractive salary in accordance with the MSCA regulations for Doctoral Researchers (https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-networks). The exact (net) salary will be confirmed upon appointment and is dependent on local tax regulations and on the country correction factor (to allow for the difference in cost of living in different EU Member States). The salary includes a living allowance, a mobility allowance, and a family allowance (if applicable). The guaranteed PhD funding is for 36 months (i.e., EC funding, additional funding is possible, depending on the local Supervisor, and in accordance with the regular PhD time in the country of origin).
SELECTION PROCESS
All applications need to be submitted through the online recruitment portal on the LifeLUNG website (www.lifelung.eu). Candidates can only apply once electronically indicating their preference for up to three positions. Candidates have to provide the following documents:
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A detailed CV (Europass model).
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A motivation letter (max 2 pages) highlighting your research experience, academic achievements and reasoning your interest in LifeLUNG and selected research projects
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At least two letters of reference from former mentors
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Transcripts of bachelor and master’s degree (with translation to English, if needed). These documents must show the grades attained in exam periods, when applicable, and evidence that the required degree will be obtained by the expected time of recruitment if it has not already been awarded.
Applications are made through the on-line application form on the LifeLUNG recruitment webpage (www.lifelung.eu). DCs can apply for as many as three specific positions and list their order of preference.
All eligible applications will be reviewed by the corresponding supervisory team and the best candidates will be invited for a videoconference interview. All candidates will be interviewed firstly by the recruitment committee in an online call. After the interviewing round, the supervisory teams will shortlist 2 to 3 applicants for each position who will be invited for the LifeLUNG in-person recruitment event on November 7th 2025 in Leuven, Belgium (videoconferencing option will be available for those unable to attend in person). Final ranking of applicants will be made by the recruitment committee and all candidates will be informed on the final decision within one week after the recruitment event. Please note, the final appointment of the selected DCs will be subject to approval by the Doctoral School at the host institution where the candidate is enrolled.