Job Description
The Laboratory for Functional Genomics and Gene Regulation (Olaf Klingbeil Lab), established in 2025 at the VIB–KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, investigates how changes in gene regulation enable cancer cells to adapt to their environment, switch cellular identities and evade treatment.
The lab seeks a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to investigate the molecular mechanisms and genetic dependencies underlying cancer cell plasticity, using pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) as the primary model, with a focus on how transcriptional and chromatin regulation shape cancer cell identity and behavior. The research combines functional genomics with advanced experimental cancer models: CRISPR-based genetic perturbation and screening, organoid and in vivo models, molecular engineering, and single-cell and spatial genomics.
You will take a leading role in shaping and advancing an ambitious research project, with the opportunity to develop original hypotheses, establish experimental strategies and pursue discoveries building on your own expertise.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead an ambitious research project on cancer cell plasticity in PDAC
- Develop original hypotheses and experimental strategies
- Apply CRISPR-based perturbation/screening, organoid and in vivo models, and single-cell/spatial genomics
- Mentor junior researchers and contribute to building the lab
- Apply for competitive personal postdoctoral fellowships with PI support
Qualifications
- PhD in cancer biology, molecular biology, genetics, biomedical sciences or a related discipline (candidates near completion are welcome)
- At least one first-author research publication or preprint
- Excellent written and spoken English
- Willingness to apply for competitive personal postdoctoral fellowships
Experience
Strong experimental experience in one or more of: functional genomics (especially CRISPR perturbation and screening); cancer biology (tumor models, signaling, plasticity); chromatin biology and gene regulation; in vivo cancer research with mouse tumor models; advanced molecular and cellular engineering (viral vectors, cloning, organoid culture). Demonstrated ability to independently design, execute and interpret experiments.
Skills Required
- Pooled CRISPR screening, lentiviral/AAV delivery, NGS library prep (valuable)
- Pancreatic cancer or orthotopic tumor models, FELASA certification (valuable)
- Single-cell/spatial transcriptomics, chromatin accessibility, barcoding or lineage tracing (valuable)
- Sequencing data analysis in R or Python (valuable)
- Mentoring/supervising students (valuable)
Additional Information
| Company | VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology |
|---|---|
| Location | Leuven |
| Job Type | Full-time · Postdoctoral position (3 years, fully funded) |
| Experience Level | Postdoctoral |
| Salary / Stipend | Not disclosed (fully funded position) |
| Application Deadline | 2026-11-07 |
| Posted Date | 2026-10-23 |
| Company Website | https://vib.be/ ↗ |
| Source | Official Career Page ↗ |
| Lab | Olaf Klingbeil Lab |
| Contract | 3-year fully funded postdoc, initial 1-year contract extended after positive evaluation |
| Start | As soon as possible (flexible) |
| Review | Rolling basis; open until filled |
| Documents (single PDF) | Motivation letter (1 page), research summary (1 page), CV with publications, 2–3 referees |
| Support | EMBO, HFSP, MSCA, FWO fellowship applications |
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