The Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp is one of the world's leading institutes for training, research and assistance in tropical medicine and health care in developing countries. Internationally, the ITM participates in activities and collaborations all over the world.
Professor and Head of the Unit Mycobacteriology
Department of Microbiology - Unit of Mycobacteriology
The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) is internationally recognized as a centre of excellence for education, research and service provision in the field of tropical medicine. The Department of Microbiology houses five units, among which the Unit of Mycobacteriology. It has a long-standing tradition and internationally recognized expertise of research and control of tuberculosis, Buruli ulcer and other mycobacterial diseases world-wide, especially in poor populations. The unit acts as a WHO/IUTLD Supranational and International Reference Laboratory for tuberculosis (TB) and Buruli ulcer (BU). The current research and training of the unit focuses on the diagnosis of TB, management of multi-drug resistant TB and the clinical epidemiology, diagnosis and control of BU. The unit has state-of-the-art infrastructure including modern BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories. Currently the unit has over 30 staff members, including post-doctoral, PhD fellows and technicians. Following the retirement of the current Head, the ITM opens a vacancy for a Professor and Head of Unit of Mycobacteriology, with the following profile:
Responsibilities
- Lead the Unit of Mycobacteriology. The unit has the mandate to conduct research on mycobacteria, especially tuberculosis and Buruli Ulcer and to provide advanced and doctoral training and service delivery, including national and international reference tasks.
- Together with the unit staff, develop a broad vision on the future role and position of the unit within ITM and in the international arena, and translate this in concrete policy and action plans which you carry through, monitor and update.
- Maintain and develop the research portfolio and attract the necessary external funding.
- Support capacity strengthening of collaborating centres in resource-limited settings.
- Contribute actively in advanced training at post-graduate, international Master and doctoral level at the ITM and at partner institutes.
- Support the implementation and application of GLP inside the unit and in collaborating centres.
- Actively participate in the management of the Department of Microbiology and the ITM.
Profile
- You are a biologist, pharmacist or medical doctor with a sound knowledge of both conventional microbiological and molecular biological techniques.
- You have a PhD degree, preferably with a relevant specialisation.
- You have at least 10 years of experience in mycobacteriology, tuberculosis in particular, and a strong track record of publications, external grants, networking and international activities.
- You have relevant experience in resource-poor settings and are willing to perform short and longer missions.
- You have a proven capacity as team leader and team player, with the outspoken ability to guide postdoctoral scientists, PhD students, technical staff and trainees.
- You have experience with GLP/GCP and with quality accreditation.
We offer
- An intellectually stimulating, international and socially committed environment, in which personal initiative can be developed.
- A full-time mandate of three years followed by full tenure following evaluation.
- A university salary scale based on academic credentials and working experience.
- Free public transport, lunch vouchers, bicycle compensation.
Interested?
For more information about the assignment and profile contact Prof. Luc Kestens, Head of the Department of Microbiology (lkestens@itg.be).
Send a completed application form with letter of motivation to vacatures@itg.be (we prefer e-mail) or by regular mail to
'Instituut voor Tropische Geneeskunde - t.a.v. Personeelsdienst - Vacatures'.
Applications with motivation letter should be received by e-mail by 19 November 2009.
Please use the application form available as a download onhttp://www.itg.be/vacatures.
Instituut voor Tropische Geneeskunde
Nationalestraat 155, 2000 Antwerpen
tel.: +32 (0)3 247 07 05
fax +32 (0)3 247 62 23
e-mail: vacatures@itg.be
