PhD student : Leuven, Belgium

For the Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology we are looking for a motivated PhD student who wants to join us in our research on bone metastases:

Tumor cell characteristics and the early phases of bone metastasis

The candidate will be welcomed in our multidisciplinary, basic/translational research team, which focuses on unraveling the cellular and molecular processes governing bone homeostasis and skeletal diseases, with the aim of developing novel therapeutic strategies. The project will be conducted under supervision of Prof. Dr. Geert Carmeliet.

Website unit

Project
Bone metastases form a major complication in patients with breast or prostate cancer. Current therapies mainly target the late phase of bone resorption and hereby inhibit further metastatic growth, but they do not cure or prevent metastatic disease. Targeting the initial phases of bone metastases,characterized by tumor cell survival, engraftment and colonization of the bone microenvironment is likely necessary for a preventive strategy (1). The bone microenvironment is relatively hypoxic and preliminary data indicate that changes in hypoxia signalling in tumor cells may contribute to bone metastasis. We therefore aim to explore the role of hypoxia signalling and of metabolic modulators in tumor cells on the development of bone metastases by using several mouse models. Focus will be centered on the premetastatic niche as well as on metastatic growth. Interaction of micrometastases with stromal or endothelial cells, osteoblasts and osteoclasts will be analysed by in vivo and in vitro assays. The present proposal combines our expertise in angiogenic factors, hypoxia signalling, cell metabolism and bone biology with our know-how on bone metastasis and aims to enlarge insight in bone metastasis.
(1) Coenegrachts, L., et al. (2010) Anti-placental growth factor reduces bone metastasis by blockingtumor cell engraftment and osteoclast differentiation. Cancer Res.70:6537-6547.

Profile
You hold a Master degree in (Bio-)medical sciences, Pharmaceutical sciences, Bio-engineering, Biochemistry or other Master degree relevant to the topic. The applicant should have basic knowledge of molecular biology, cell biology and cell culture, histology and integrative physiology. You should have good social and communicative skills and a solid knowledge of English. You have a passion for science and the motivation to work on an innovative project.

Offer
We are offering a full-time scholarship with the intention to result in the completion of a PhD. Funding is foreseen, but application for an additional personal fellowship is highly stimulated. Doctoral training will include affiliation to the Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences at KU Leuven. We are offering a dynamic working environment in which quality, professionalism and social contact are encouraged.

Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Geert Carmeliet, tel.: +32 16 33 07 31, mail: geert.carmeliet@med.kuleuven.be
You can apply for this job no later than August 15, 2015 via the
online application tool …

Don't forget to mention Naturejobs when applying

Job details

Employer:KU Leuven, Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology

Website:https://icts.kuleuven.be/apps...

Location:O&N I, Herestraat 49, Leuven, Belgium

Expires:August 17, 2015

Job type:PhD Studentship

Salary:Unspecified

Qualifications:Postgraduate - Master's degree

Employment type:Contract

Job hours:Full-time