VACANCY AT THE LABORATORY OF MEDICAL
MICROBIOLOGY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ANTWERP,
BELGIUM
The laboratory of Medical Microbiology (LMM) of the University of Antwerp, headed by Prof. Dr.
Herman Goossens, is world top in the study of antimicrobial use, resistance development and
diagnostics for infectious diseases. Recently, PREPARE {Platform foR European Preparedness Against
(Re-) emerging Epidemics}, a large scale integrating collaborative Project for which EU funding was
obtained, was initiated and is coordinated by the group in Antwerp. The aim of the PREPARE project
(funded from 01.02.2014 – 31.01.2019) is to establish a sustainable pan-European consortium of
community and hospital-based clinical research networks to conduct high- quality observational and
interventional trials in different clinical syndromes , enabling an integrated response to any severe
infectious disease (ID) outbreak and with the flexibility to respond immediately to any rapidly
emerging ID threat. These clinical studies and networks will be supported by a microbiological
laboratory network (coordinated by Prof. Dr.Greet Ieven) providing “ State-of-the-Art” diagnostics
and laboratory support for the inter-epidemic clinical studies under PREPARE, as well as diagnostic
support in response to future severe ID outbreaks. In addition to the development and validation of
novel rapid diagnostic tests for pathogens with epidemic potential, generic SOPs to harmonise
laboratory-based pathogen detection protocols will be developed and incorporated in the clinical
trials, and quality assessments will be conducted for their evaluation. More information on the
PREPARE project can be found on the following link: http://www. prepare-europe.eu .
To establish the Laboratory network, Prof. Dr. Goossens and Prof. Dr. Ieven are seeking to fill the
following full-time (100 %) vacancy in the Laboratory of Medical Microbiology at the University of
Antwerp, Belgium:
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Clinical or Medical Microbiologist or
Post Doc with Medical Microbiological background
Job description
 Setting up and coordinating the Laboratory activities
 Coordinating the writing of the questionnaires, manuals, protocols, and SOPs
 Monitoring the trials at the laboratory level by managing qualified staff
 Establishing quality assessment systems
 Implementing training programmes for laboratory and other staff on relevant methodologies
 Coordinating the biobank of specimens and strains
 Develop diagnostic algorithms for the clinical trials
 Managing the timely delivery of project reports
 Analysis of data and writing reports
 Writing project and research proposals
Profile and requirements
 You hold a degree in Clinical or Medical Microbiology or
 A doctorate degree (PhD) with medical microbiological background
 Experience with diagnostic in infectious diseases and/or antimicrobial resistance
 You are prepared to travel
 Excellent communication and management skills
 Ability to work precisely according to procedures, rules and regulations; work independently, but
also function in a team
 Very good knowledge of English is a must.
We offer
 An appointment for initially 1 year on a scale based on your profile and experience, with the
possibility of extension after positive evaluation;
 Preferable date of appointment will be June 1st 2014.
 A gross monthly salary will be based on years of experience.
Application
If you are interested in this position, mail a letter of interest, curriculum vitae (including a list of
publications) and the names of 2-3 reference persons to Inge Dierynck
(Inge.Dierynck@uantwerpen.be)
A pre-selection will be made amongst the submitted applications. The remainder of the selection
procedure is specific to the position and will be determined by the selection panel
Application deadline : 31/04/2014 .