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 Veterinary Protozoology
Department of Animal Health
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 Animal Health focuses its research on infectious and parasitic livestock diseases, especially in developing countries. The Unit of Veterinary Protozoology runs major programmes and projects, among others on Theleiria and Trypanosoma. Other units work on zoönotic and helminthic infections, vector biology and biostatistics, epidemiology and control of livestock diseases. Currently, new lines on viral diseases including bluetongue are being developed. There is a close interaction and collaboration between the four units, which runs many projects jointly, and with the human departments of the ITM.
Following the retirement of the current Head, the ITM opens a vacancy for a Professor and Head of Unit of Veterinary Protozoology. Given the ever increasing importance of molecular biology in research and clinical management, we seek an expert in this field with, however, a good knowledge of pathology and epidemiology, and with field experience in developing countries. The molecular expertise will be put to use for the other units and research lines at the department, and will be shared with colleagues of other departments.
Job description
Lead the Unit of Veterinary Protozoology and develop its future perspectives, policy and action plans together with the staff . Ensure the daily management of the unit.
Your tasks comprise research, teaching and service delivery in the field of molecular biology, epidemiology and ecology of diseases of veterinary and zoonotic importance.
Stimulate and supervise research by submitting projects for external funding, supervising them and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals.
Contribute substantially to the International Master course on Tropical Animal Health, other courses and in educational management.
Attract and supervise bright Master and PhD students.
Participate actively in the management of the department and of the ITM.
Maintain and build the international reputation of the unit and the department.
Stimulate inter-departmental activities in vector-borne and zoonotic diseases
Lead and ensure the unit's and the departmental capacity strengthening building efforts in partner institutes in the South.
Support the implementation of the ITM quality system in the laboratory, data management and field work.
Profile
- You have a university master degree a veterinarian, bio-engineer, biologist or equivalent.
- You have a PhD degree, preferably with a relevant specialisation.
- You have at least 10 years scientific experience, a thorough knowledge of molecular biology and a sound knowledge of conventional parasitology. Experience in molecular epidemiology and ecology is an advantage.
- You have a strong international track record in publications, grant writing and external project funding.
- You have relevant experience in resource-poor settings and are willing to perform short and longer missions overseas.
- 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 an excellent knowledge of English and a working knowledge of French and Dutch, or the willingness to acquire these within a reasonable time.
- 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. Pierre Dorny, Head of the Department of Animal Health (pdorny@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.
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
