Doctoral scholarship holder “Development of a Zebrafish Model of SMAD3-Dependent Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm for In Vivo Drug Screening"

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In a joint effort with the Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG; this will be the secondary host institution in a joint PhD program), the Center of Medical Genetics (CMG; primary host institution) in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of the University of Antwerp is looking for a full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship holder in the field of “Development of a Zebrafish Model of SMAD3-Dependent Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm for In Vivo Drug Screening”.

Join us in tackling a silent killer

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) develops and progresses silently until life-threatening dissections and/or ruptures occur. No curative treatment currently exists. Among its genetic causes, Loeys-Dietz syndrome type 3 (driven by pathogenic variants in SMAD3), represents one of the most severe forms of the disease.

In this PhD project, you will contribute to preclinical SMAD3-related TAA research by:

• 🐟 Developing a smad3 knockout zebrafish model,
• 🔬 Optimizing in vivo visualization of aortic enlargement and molecular dysfunction,
• 💊 Developing a pathogenic signalling-based drug screening assay.

The project will be largely executed at the Antwerp CMG, embedded within the University of Antwerp and the Antwerp University Hospital. It has gained substantial know-how and hosts state-of-the-art infrastructure in the field of clinical, molecular and pathophysiological investigation of hereditary diseases, including heart and large vessel diseases, hearing loss, cancer, bone diseases and intellectual disability. Within this environment, the research teams of Prof. Verstraeten and Prof. Loeys spearhead the projects focused on cardiovascular and connective tissue disorders. The project will be co‑supervised by Prof. Sips from the CMGG at the Department of Biomolecular Medicine of Ghent University, where part of the work will be carried out. Prof. Sips has a strong expertise in zebrafish models of genetic cardiovascular disease and co‑leads the Ghent Heritable Thoracic Aortic Disease laboratory.

Position

• You will work actively on the preparation of a PhD thesis in the field of preclinical TAA research, publishing high-quality scientific articles related to the research project.
• You will present your work at national and international scientific workshops and conferences.

Profile

• You hold a master’s degree in (Bio)medical sciences, Biochemistry and/or Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering or you will have obtained it by the time you start to work.
• You are eligible for applying for a Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) PhD fellowship
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
• You can demonstrate excellent study results.
• You bring ambition, integrity, and a strong eye for quality, along with a positive mindset.
• You are a strong team player with good communication skills.
• You are fluent in written and spoken English.

Project-specific required skills

• You successfully acquired a FELASA B or FELASA C certificate.

Project-specific desirable skills

• You have expertise in zebrafish work.
• You have experience in the field of cardiovascular diseases.
• You have expertise in cutting-edge microscopy.

What we offer

• We offer a doctoral scholarship for one year. Following a positive evaluation and pending available funding, the scholarship will be extended for an additional three years.
• The planned start date is 15/09/2026 or as soon as possible after that date.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders.
• You receive ecocheques and a bicycle allowance or reimbursement of public transport costs.
• As a doctoral researcher, you will have access to a wide and varied range of courses and an educational credit through the Antwerp and UGhent Doctoral Schools.
• You will do most of your work at CMG Antwerp in a dynamic and stimulating 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 23 April 2026. Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:
  • a motivation letter
  • your academic CV (including honours, grades, skills, prior mobility, publications,…)
• The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/jobs/apply-online-uantwerp/ or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Prof. Aline Verstraeten (aline.verstraeten@uantwerpen.be).