PhD position- Translational neuroimmunology of Parkinson’s disease

The Gut-Immune-Brain Axis Lab (Prof. Seppe De Schepper, VIB–UAntwerp) and the Parkinson’s disease Research Team (Prof. David Crosiers Translational Neurosciences Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAntwerp; and Department of Neurology, UZA) are hiring a full-time (100%) PhD to map how peripheral and circulating immune cells reflect early Parkinson’s disease (PD) biology. The project focuses on high-risk individuals and PD patients and aims to identify circulating immune signatures…

that anticipate disease onset and progression.

Our lab studies how peripheral immunity shapes brain health and neurodegeneration, with a strong track record in myeloid biology, immune trafficking, and α-synuclein pathology. The clinical team at UZA brings deep expertise in movement disorders and longitudinal cohort management. Together we offer a highly collaborative, translational environment embedded in VIB and the University of Antwerp.

Position

Drive a clinical-translational PhD: cohort coordination (with clinical team), sample processing, immune profiling, and data interpretation.
Publish in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences.
Contribute to limited teaching/service tasks and to open, reproducible science practices.
During the doctoral scholarship, you will be asked to submit and defend an innovative project at the FWO (fwo.be) to obtain a personal fellowship. Please do check eligibility criteria prior to applying for this position.

Key Responsibilities

Profile circulating immune cells in PD and prodromal cohorts and link them to clinical readouts and α-synuclein reactivity.
Use cutting-edge single-cell and immune-profiling approaches, linked to clinical phenotyping, to discover early biomarkers and patient-stratification tools.
Work side-by-side with neurologists on patient inclusion and sample workflows, with access to VIB core facilities and data-science support.

Profile

Medical degree or MSc in biomedical sciences, medicine, bioengineering, or related field, with excellent study results.
Strong interest in immunology and neurodegeneration
Experience with human samples and/or immunophenotyping tools (e.g. flow cytometry) is advantageous; candidates without prior experience should be motivated to learn.
Comfortable working at the clinic–lab interface; excellent writing and communication in English (Dutch is an asset for patient-facing coordination).
Motivated to work within an international project in Europe, including possible travelling.
Proactive, rigorous, solution-oriented and a critical thinker.
Attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
Teaching competences that are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision/VIB
Research qualities that are in line with the faculty and university research policies/VIB

What we offer

A doctoral scholarship for a period of 1 year to start with. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed.
The applicant will be expected to actively seek independent funding and will be fully assisted in applying for personal fellowships, such as FWO
Access to state-of-the-art facilities and training in advanced techniques.
Opportunities for career development, networking, and mentorship.
Support for presenting at international conferences and publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
Start date; as soon as possible
Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders
You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
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. Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:
- A cover letter detailing your research interests, experience and motivation to join the team
- A curriculum vitae, including a list of publications.
- Contact information for two references.
The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible. 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 the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be.
If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Sebastiaan.deschepper@uantwerpen.be

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PhD position- Translational neuroimmunology of Parkinson’s disease

University of Antwerp

Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium

PhD position- Translational neuroimmunology of Parkinson’s disease

This is a Preview Listing…

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PhD position- Translational neuroimmunology of Parkinson’s disease

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PhD position- Translational neuroimmunology of Parkinson’s disease

University of Antwerp

Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium

PhD position- Translational neuroimmunology of Parkinson’s disease

This is a Preview Listing…

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Grants to USA Entities for Advanced Materials Research

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AI and computational biology

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity 2026

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PhD position- Translational neuroimmunology of Parkinson’s disease

University of Antwerp

Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium

PhD position- Translational neuroimmunology of Parkinson’s disease

This is a Preview Listing…

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Grants to USA Entities for Advanced Materials Research

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Nonprofits to Support Children With Cancer

Fellowships to USA, Canada, and United Kingdom Researchers for AI Policy and Economics Research

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Fellowships to USA, Canada, and United Kingdom Engineers and Researchers for ML System Research

Fellowships to USA, Canada, and United Kingdom Researchers for AI Security Research

Fellowships to USA, Canada, and United Kingdom Researchers for Research Related to AI Safety