Associate Professor Position (Promotion Track) in Neuroimmunology with a focus on neuroinflammation

University of Luxembourg aspires to be a world-class research university. It strives for excellence in both fundamental and applied research, and in education. It drives innovation for society, has a high proportion of graduate students, and intertwines research, teaching and societal impact. The University of Luxembourg has the profile of a research university with a strong activity in research, a high proportion of doctoral candidates and success in internationally competitive third-party funding, combined with excellent research-driven teaching throughout the University. The University has three missions: research, higher education and contribution to the social, cultural and economic development of the country.

The newly recruited professor will join the LCSB - an interdisciplinary research centre within the University of Luxembourg. At LCSB we accelerate biomedical research by closing the link between systems biology and medical research. Collaborations between biologists, medical doctors, computer scientists, physicists, engineers and mathematicians offer new insights in complex systems essential for understanding principal mechanisms of disease pathogenesis and for developing new tools in diagnostics and therapy. The focus of the LCSB is on neurodegenerative diseases, with a particular interest in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, with the willingness to expand the scope of neurodegenerative diseases covered. With this position, the LCSB would like to strengthen its experimental research pillar and in particular the use of animal as well as cellular models. The LCSB is seeking to recruit a Professor who has a strong background in Neuroimmunology and neuroinflammation, and ideally the adaptive immune system. The latter will complement the existing expertise and research environment at the LCSB and ideally allow to expand our knowledge around this branch of immunity in the area of neurodegenerative disease. Very recent and rapidly increasing evidence suggests that peripheral immune cells including lymphocytes and NK cells play an important contributing role in several neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Both applicants working with animal models and those studying neuroinflammation and/or the adaptive immune systems in cellular models (or a mixture of both) will be considered. 

Your Role...

As an Associate Professor at the University of Luxembourg you will:

• Conduct research at the highest scientific level
• Set up and develop your own research group in the field of neuroimmunology, focusing on neuroinflammation and/or adaptive immunity
• Be responsible for establishing a competitive research programme in neuroimmunology and neuroinflammation in models of neurodegeneration
• Lead interdisciplinary research by reaching out to the experimental, computational and clinical research groups within the collaborative environment of the University and LCSB
• Interact and collaborate with other groups within the Luxembourg and the international research community
• Be engaged in teaching courses for the Bachelor and Master Programmes in Systems Biology and upcoming medical education program as well as supervising and training of PhD students and mentoring of postdocs

What we expect from you…

• A Ph.D. in relevant field with documented background in neuroscience and/or immunology
• An excellent research record in neuroimmunology proven by high-level publications, conference presentations, and participation in international research collaborations
• Experience in in vivo modelling of neurodegenerative disorders including e.g. Alzheimer’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Huntington’s disease
• Experience in animal studies as well as design and conduct of experiments – practice with different animal models is a plus
• Proven expert knowledge of the principles, regulations and professional ethics related to animal biomedical research including necessary qualification and training certificates (FELASA or equivalent)
• Experience with translational research, including working with patient samples and patient-derived iPSCs
• Experience in interdisciplinary research, systems and computational biology and/or willingness to emerge in this highly interdisciplinary environment
• Proven leadership skills, including personnel and budget management skills
• Experience in acquiring and managing research projects
• Candidates with multiple research experiences abroad will be preferred. Additionally, work experience in the pharmaceutical industry is considered a plus
• Teaching experience at the undergraduate and the postgraduate level as well as supervisory skills
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills
• The University of Luxembourg is set in a multilingual context. The person hired on this position must be proficient in English and either French or German. The University encourages its staff to learn the other language and provides access to language courses to this end

We offer...

• Fully funded position with competitive remuneration and attractive group budget
• Highly engaged and motivated staff in a positive and dynamic international and interdisciplinary working environment
• Access to state-of-the-art animal facilities: New rodent facility opened in 2018 (including SOPF breeding area, SPF experimental areas and Germ-free units) and the aquatic facility opened in 2016 equipped with cutting-edge semi-automated installations
• Access to a state-of-the art platforms including imaging, metabolomics, sequencing and bioinformatics

In Short...

• Contract Type: The position at the Associate Professor level follows University of Luxembourg’s promotion-track career scheme and a possibility of promotion to Full Professor will be given after 5 years upon positive evaluation
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Location: Belval
• Job Reference: UOL05432

How to apply...

The following documents (in English) are requested to be submitted:

• A detailed curriculum vitae with a list of publications, courses taught, research grants, industry collaborations and experience, patents, as well as management and administrative positions held
• A cover letter including a statement highlighting scientific, educational, and other activities of particular significance for this position
• A short research statement presenting future research lines
• A list of three references including their contact information and current positions. Please indicate their relationship to you; (the referees will be contacted only upon approval from the candidate)
• Any additional material highlighting significant publications, success in obtaining research funding, industry contacts and collaborations, experience in management positions within a university or research centre, as well as other relevant qualifications and achievements are appreciated

We ensure a full consideration for applications received by 28/02/2023. All applications will be handled in strictest confidence. 

The University of Luxembourg is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Luxembourg is committed to achieving gender parity among its academic staff and aims to eliminate obstacles to recruitment of female professors and their career development. Should candidates present equivalent CVs, preference will be given to female candidates in all departments where gender parity is not yet achieved. 

In return you will get…

• Multilingual and international character. Modern institution with a personal atmosphere. Staff coming from 90 countries. Member of the “University of the Greater Region” (UniGR). 
• A modern and dynamic university. High-quality equipment. Close ties to the business world and to the Luxembourg labour market. A unique urban site with excellent infrastructure.
• A partner for society and industry. Cooperation with European institutions, innovative companies, the Financial Centre and with numerous non-academic partners such as ministries, local governments, associations, NGOs …

• Find out more about the University
• Addresses, maps & routes to the various sites of the University

Contact...

For questions please contact: Prof. Michael Heneka / Director of the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine

Campus Belval | Biotech II / 6, avenue du Swing / L-4367 Belvaux

E-mail: LCSB.recruitment@uni.lu