FUNCTIONAL DRUG DISCOVERY

The functional drug discovery field essentially contains two complementary approaches, i.e. phenotypic drug discovery and target-based drug discovery. Phenotypic drug discovery continues to yield promising drug candidates especially for diseases with partially understood mechanistic complexity. A resurgence of phenotypic drug discovery over the past decade has resulted in several lifesaving first-in-class drugs. With the ever-increasing identification and molecular characterization of novel druggable targets, target-based drug discovery is positioned to boost discovery programs across all therapeutic modalities, resulting in numerous best-in-class drugs. Innovation in functional drug discovery technologies holds promise for boosting future drug discovery programs across academic research institutes and pharmaceutical industry. Hence continuing investment in innovative academic research in the field of drug discovery is an important pillar of the strategic vision of the KU Leuven Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences (DPPS) over the next decade. DPPS is highly ranked regarding its quality of research and education and has an extended collaborative national and international network both in academia and industry. Further to the upcoming retirement of several professors conducting research in the broader drug discovery field, DPPS wants to expand its team with an excellent junior professor (‘ZAP’) to lead a research team focusing on innovation in the development and application of approaches for functional drug discovery. In line with the departmental policy plan, this position is intended to fit in a larger division within DPPS hosting several teams conducting cutting-edge research related to the biological aspects of the drug discovery field. This division obviously closely collaborates with the Medicinal Chemistry division (also part of REGA institute) of DPPS, which focuses on the chemical aspects of drug discovery. Over the past decades, several laboratories within DPPS have built an internationally recognized reputation in various aspects of drug discovery and acquired state-of-the-art expertise and infrastructure. This includes a fully operational and automated zebrafish facility, with knowhow to perform TOL2 transgenesis, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, behavioral and electrophysiological measurements, and high throughput screening using morpholino’s and small molecules for drug discovery purposes. Furthermore, state-of-the-art instrumentation is available to test bioactive compounds isolated from animals, plants and microorganisms. This includes a Xenopus laevis oocyte expression system, manual and automated semi-high throughput voltage clamp setups, preparative separation devices as well as a protein sequencer. Over the years a unique library of cloned voltage- and ligand gated ion channels and G-protein-coupled receptors has been collected. The discovery and design domain of DPPS also comprises a nanobody discovery platform, equipment for structural biology research, gene transfer and gene editing technology, organoid based drug discovery and target-based drug discovery for leukemia, Rett Syndrome and an HIV cure. In addition, a broad range of instruments and infrastructure is available in core facilities and through collaborations across the Biomedical Sciences campus.

We are offering a full-time employment in an intellectually challenging environment. KU Leuven is a research-intensive, internationally oriented university that carries out both fundamental and applied scientific research. It is highly inter- and multi-disciplinary focused and strives for international excellence. In this regard, it actively works together with research partners in Belgium and abroad. It provides its students with an academic education that is based on high-quality scientific research.

You will have access to the core facilities of the University’s biomed group, including biomolecular and cell and tissue imaging, next generation sequencing and bioinformatics consulting, and the laboratory animal center.

The proximity of the University hospital of Leuven (UZ Leuven), which is located on the same campus, will allow you to setup translational research lines with clinical experts. The DPPS has existing networks of collaborations with other academic research groups at KU Leuven and abroad for imaging, PK analysis, medicinal chemistry, as well as close collaborations with the University Hospital.

You will work in Leuven, a historic, dynamic, and lively city located in the heart of Belgium, within 20 minutes from Brussels, the capital of the European Union, and less than two hours from Paris, London and Amsterdam.

Depending on your record and qualifications, you will be appointed to or tenured in one of the grades of the senior academic staff: assistant professor, associate professor, professor or full professor. In principle, junior researchers are appointed as assistant professor on the tenure track for a period of 5 years; after this period and a positive evaluation, they are permanently appointed (or tenured) as an associate professor.

KU Leuven is well set to welcome foreign professors and their family and provides practical support with regard to immigration & administration, housing, childcare, learning Dutch, partner career coaching, …

To facilitate scientific onboarding and accelerate research in the first phase a starting grant of 100.000 euro is offered to new professors appointed for at least 50% that do not yet have substantial research funding.

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Eveline Lescrinier, tel.: +32 16 32 26 38, mail: [email protected] problems with online applying, please contact [email protected].

KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at [email protected].